[NatureNS] Important Sick and Dying Bird notice from the AVC

Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:01:38 -0300
From: "Andrew Hebda" <HEBDAAJ@gov.ns.ca>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
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This message has come from the Atlantic Veterinary College SICK AND
DYING BIRDS IN YOUR YARD please share with bird watching and feeding
community

Andrew
Nova Scotia Museum

Over the past two summers, the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health
Centre (CCWHC), Atlantic Region has received numerous reports of sick
and dying birds around bird feeders and water baths in people*s yards
throughout the Maritimes.  The primary species affected are purple finch
and American goldfinch, and a microscopic parasite, Trichomonas
gallinae, causes their illness which is known as trichomoniasis
(trichomonosis).  This summer has been no different with widespread
mortality of finches occurring throughout the region around people*s
homes.  The CCWHC is interested in tracking this emerging disease
problem to better understand its impact on wild bird populations and
would like to examine as many of the dead birds as possible.  The CCWHC
cannot advise or encourage members of the general public to handle dead
birds.  However, if an interested individual was inclined to collect a
specimen, the following procedure should be practiced:
1.	Place a plastic bag over hand and pick up the dead bird with
hand covered by the plastic bag.
2.	Invert the plastic bag over the bird and tie the top of the
plastic bag. 
3.	Wash hands well with warm water and soap.  
4.	Deliver the dead bird in the bag to the local Department of
Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife or Canadian Wildlife Service office
where it will be frozen and held for pick up at a later date.  
Biologists, conservation officers and wildlife technicians have busy
schedules and limited freezer space so it is up to their discretion to
facilitate a request to hold a dead bird for submission.  Therefore, in
Nova Scotia (NS) and Prince Edward Island (PEI), it is advisable to call
the office prior to handling a dead bird to obtain their consent to
cooperate.  All submitted samples should have the following information
included with them:
1.	Submitter*s name, address, telephone number and e-mail address
(if available).
2.	Location where dead bird was found.
3.	Date dead bird was found.
4.	Number of dead or sick birds observed.
Unfortunately, at this time, New Brunswick (NB) Department of Natural
Resources is unable to participate in this targeted surveillance
program.  As a result, we would appreciate you recording any mortality
that might occur in NB by completing a Garden Bird Health Survey found
on the CCWHC, Atlantic Region website (http://atlantic.ccwhc.ca/).

At a date later in the Fall 2009, the CCWHC will pick up the birds that
have been submitted in NS and PEI and examine them.  Subsequently, a
full diagnostic report will be sent to the person who submitted the
bird(s) as well as the agency that held the specimen(s).  This work
would not be possible without public participation and the involvement
of provincial and federal wildlife agencies so the CCWHC greatly
appreciates your assistance.  If you require any further information
about this project or have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact us directly at 902-628-4314 or e-mail Drs. Scott McBurney
(smcburney@upei.ca) or Maria Forzan (mforzan@upei.ca 


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