Subject: Newcastle disease in DC Cormorants
Date: Aug 11 16:40:23 1995
From: Tom Besser - tbesser at vetmed.wsu.edu


Following forwarded from: ProMED

ProMED Friday, 11 August 1995 Volume 95 : Number 116

NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS (SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA)
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Young-of-the-year cormorants at a colony on Dor Lake, Saskatchewan (UTM:
CL3873; Lat. 54 deg. 43' N, Long. 107 deg. 32' W) were noted with signs of
central nervous disease on 23 July 1995. Specimens of dead and sick birds
were secured on 25 July. Non-suppurative encephalitis was present in
brains ...<snip>

All persons or agencies able to undertake surveillance of Double-crested
Cormorant colonies in North America are urged to do so immediately.
Highly pathogenic (velogenic) Newcastle Disease virus caused epidemics
among D-C Cormorants over a wide area of central North America in 1990 and
1992.

We would like to be informed of all suspected or confirmed occurrences of
Newcastle Disease in cormorants or other species this summer and fall.
Wherever possible, please freeze and retain isolated viruses or tissues
from affected birds (always include brain among the tissues saved for
virus isolation).

Dr. Thijs Kuiken (Saskatoon) is currently studying morbidity and mortality
at the Dor Lake colony and will be comparing virus isolates as part of his
PhD research.

- -- From: Frederick A. Leighton
E-mail: leighton at sask.usask.ca