News
Mission:
To protect and promote the natural, recreational and historical resources of Voyageurs National Park.
Birds in Lake Kabetogama Test Positive for Newcastle Disease
From ABC 6 News, 8/15/08:
Birds that Died on Minn. Lakes Test Positive for Newcastle Disease
By Nicole Muehlhausen
The National Veterinary Services Laboratory has found that several wild water birds from two Minnesota lakes have tested positive for the virulent form of Newcastle disease.
This strain of virus can be highly contagious among double-crested cormorants, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. There is little threat to humans from the disease.
The birds that tested positive were from Minnesota Lake in Faribault County, Pigeon Lake in Meeker County, and Lake Kabetogama in Voyageurs National Park, according to the DNR.
The agency is working closely on this issue with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Department of Health. The agency is also collaborating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Health Center, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, and alerting surrounding states and provinces to the lab results.
“Newcastle rarely affects humans, generally causing conjunctivitis, a relatively mild inflammation of the inner eyelids. It is spread to humans by close contact with sick birds,” explained state health veterinarian Joni Scheftel.
Since first discovered in July, the DNR reported that more than 900 double-crested cormorants, with smaller numbers of American white pelicans and other water birds were discovered dead or dying at Minnesota Lake and Pigeon Lake. Since then, DNR staff has found dead or dying birds on the other lakes including Angle Island on Lake of the Woods, Marsh Lake, and Lake Mille Lacs. Lab tests on these birds are pending and could take weeks.
Although poultry can catch the disease from wild birds, BAH reports that farm biosecurity measures help ensure that such a possibility is highly unlikely.
If birds show signs of illness, producers should contact their own veterinarians or the Board of Animal Health at (320) 231-5170.