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USGS · 1003836

Waterbird mortality from botulism type E in Lake Michigan: An update

Christopher J. Brand·Ruth M. Duncan·Scott P. Garrow·Dan Olson·Leonard E. Schumann
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Abstract

Three outbreaks of botulism type E occurring in waterbirds on Lake Michigan since autumn 1976 are discussed. Natural ingestion of food containing type E toxin by Ring-billed Gulls ( Larus delawarensis ) and the presence of type E toxin in blood from moribund gulls were demonstrated. Concurrent presence of type C and type E botulinal toxins was found in a die-off of Common Loons ( Gavia immer ). In combination with previous reported outbreaks, these incidents suggest that this disease is geographically widespread in Lake Michigan, and that environmental conditions conducive to type E botulinal toxin production and consumption occur in both summer and autumn.

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90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 41.4509614012039° to 46.240651955001695° latitude; -88.209228515625° to -84.57275390625° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Christopher J. Brand, Ruth M. Duncan, Scott P. Garrow, Dan Olson, Leonard E. Schumann. 1983. Waterbird mortality from botulism type E in Lake Michigan: An update. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/1003836

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