Title
First detection of Bacillus anthracis in feces of free-ranging raptors from central Argentina
Author(s)
Saggese M.D., Noseda R.P., Uhart M.M., Deem S.L., Ferreyra H., Romano M.C., Ferreyra-Armas M.C., Hugh-Jones M.
Published
2007
Publisher
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Abstract
Prevalence of anthrax spores in feces of raptors was determined from samples collected in November-December 2000 and April-May 2001 in an agricultural region of Santa Fé province, Argentina. Feces were tested from 48 birds of six raptor species. One of 14 chimango caracaras (Milvago chimango) and one of eight road-side hawks (Buteo magnirostris) tested positive. The prevalence of Bacillus anthracis spores in feces for the six species was 4% (n=48). The prevalence was 7% (n=14) for chimango, caracaras, 13% for road-side hawks (n=8), and 0% for the remaining species (Burrowing owl [Speotyto cunicularia] [n=17], Swainson's hawk [Buteo swainsoni] [n=3], Aplomado falcon [Falco femoralis] [n=2], and American kestrel [Falco sparverius] [n=4]). Grouped by their feeding habits, prevalence for scavenger species was not significantly different than for predators (7% vs. 3%, P>0.999). This study provides evidence that in central Argentina scavenger and nonscavenger raptors may have a role in The epidemiology of anthrax. Long-term studies to determine the extent of this potential involvement in the epidemiology of anthrax in central Argentina are required. © Wildlife Disease Association 2007.
Keywords
animal; animal disease; anthrax; Argentina; article; Bacillus anthracis; bacterial spore; bird disease; disease carrier; disease transmission; feces; health survey; isolation and purification; microbiology; raptor; season; species difference; wild animal; Animals; Animals, Wild; Anthrax; Argentina; Bacillus anthracis; Bird Diseases; Disease Reservoirs; Feces; Raptors; Seasons; Sentinel Surveillance; Species Specificity; Spores, Bacterial; Accipitrinae; Aves; Bacillus anthracis; Bacteria (microorganisms); Buteo magnirostris; Buteo swainsoni; Falco femoralis; Falco sparverius; Falconidae; Milvago chimango; Raptores; Speotyto cunicularia; Strigiformes

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PUB12155