Infectious Disease Survey of Migratory Birds in Georgia

Abstract

Avian diseases in poultry have been well studied. Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) and Mycoplasma are two pathogens that have ample documentation about infection rates in poultry. Both of these diseases can be transmitted by other species of birds, including songbirds (Order: Passeriformes). However, studies on wild birds as disease vectors and available literature on the “spill over” between wild birds and poultry flocks are minimal. Therefore, any surveillance of wild songbird populations for the prevalence of these diseases will greatly expand our current knowledge about potential transmission between poultry flocks and wild birds. A recent study showed birds with a current infection are less likely to exhibit regular behaviors including flight. Considering this, we do not expect to find any positive samples. However, if birds are found to be carrying these pathogens, we will build a database of species that test positive for the study pathogens and their migratory patterns. This will enable better understanding of what regions of domestic poultry flocks are more susceptible to infection of these pathogens by the songbirds in that area. This study collected and tested fecal and visceral samples of resident and migratory wild birds in Georgia and will increase the literature on wild birds as disease vectors to the domestic poultry flocks of financial importance in the State of Georgia.