The vet responsible for the initial Nowra report posted this follow-up
note yesterday. Robin:
BOTULISM, AVIAN, FISH - AUSTRALIA (04): (NEW SOUTH WALES) COMMENT
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Date: Fri 15 Feb 2013
Source: Keith Hart<> [edited]
Re ProMED-mail Botulism, avian, fish - Australia (03): (NS) ducks
20130213.1541393 Botulism, avian, fish - Australia (03): (NS) ducks
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I was the source of this interesting botulism story. In the initial
sentence 'tests have confirmed' was intended to convey that botulism
toxin was confirmed by a Queensland laboratory from:
1. The liver of a freshly dead duck
2. Maggots taken from another duck carcass.
Fortuitously, shortly after this outbreak was investigated, there was
a 24 hour period of heavy rain, which would have flushed out the
ponds, washed the toxin away, and re-oxygenated the water environment
making it much less likely to produce conditions where_Cl. botulinum_
thrives. I would expect that some pond invertebrates would remain
toxic for some time, since it appears that invertebrates such as
maggots are capable of bioaccumulating the toxin. I have not been able
to ascertain how long the toxin remains active in the body of a live
invertebrate such as a snail or maggot, but presumably it would be at
least some days.
- --
Keith Hart BVSc (2094)
Senior District Veterinarian
PO Box 141, Camden 2570
Cumberland Livestock Health and Pest Authority
New South Wales
Australia
<>
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