- 500 dead wild birds in the Passau county: salmonella?
Bird deaths in Pocking (Passau district) continue to puzzle authorities. Over 500 wild birds have died on the approximately 40-hectare site since last week, including lapwings, estimates the Passau Landscape Conservation Association (LCA), according to the district office. Some of the dead animals have been sent to the laboratory of the State Office for Health and Food Safety for examination.
Salmonella found in one bird
The cause is still being investigated by the district office. Although bird flu could not be detected in carcasses examined last week, it is unlikely that this viral disease is responsible for the bird deaths.
However, one of the animals tested has now shown a high level of salmonella infection. Salmonellosis can cause diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, movement disorders, and even death in wild birds within hours, the district office explained.
Since the examination results of the other animals are still pending and the symptoms could also indicate other viral or bacterial infectious agents or poisoning, further investigations are being conducted in all directions.
Birds with diarrhea
According to observations, many birds gathered along the edges of the constructed ponds, which are filled with groundwater and rainwater, before dying. The birds showed symptoms such as weakness, movement disorders, and in some cases, balance disorders.
These symptoms do not allow for a clear diagnosis, according to experts. The examination of birds that died this week showed that five out of six animals had diarrhea, but no specific indications of the cause of the disease or death. Further laboratory results are still pending.
According to the LCA, the bird deaths have now significantly decreased.
The exact cause of the bird deaths in the county of Passau remains unexplained, despite the reduction in incidents reported by the LCA. The diarrhea symptoms observed in the deceased birds and the recent discovery of high salmonella infection levels in one animal are under further investigation.
The district office is currently analyzing samples from other deceased birds to establish if salmonella or other infectious agents or toxins could be the primary cause of the bird deaths in the county of Passau.
