Botulism suspected in local waterfowl

Several dead gulls found in the past two weeks along Lake Ontario near Rochester are being tested for Type E botulism following confirmation of the presence of the deadly bacteria in similar birds found in Oswego and Cayuga County.

Botulism was first found in birds in Lake Erie in 1999, the following summer thousands of dead birds were found washed up on the shoreline. The outbreak of Type E botulism first appeared in southern Lake Huron in 1998, but until now, never had been identified in fish, birds or wildlife on Lake Ontario.

Type E botulism is a specific strain of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria most commonly affecting fish-eating birds. It causes paralysis in the affected birds and often is fatal.

In waterfowl, the disease results from the ingestion of a toxin produced by the bacterium. It can also be harmful to humans who eat birds or fish that have been poisoned by the toxin, although there have been no reported cases of human illness associated with the outbreak.

There is no risk of exposure to humans from swimming in Lake Ontario waters.

Nevertheless, the DEC has advised that hunters and anglers not harvest waterfowl or fish that appear sick or act abnormally because cooking may not destroy the botulism toxins.

Dead birds should not be handled without protective gloves. Pets should be kept from making contact with dead birds. Thorough hand-washing should follow any accidental contact with suspicious birds.

Any discovery of dead or distressed fish or wildlife, especially birds showing a condition known as "limberneck" that results from paralysis of the neck muscles should be reported to the DEC at 585 226-2466.

Additional information is available by calling the DEC or on their Website: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/