Avian Cholera

Outbreaks of a bacterial infection caused by Pasteurella multocida sporadically occur in staging areas where millions of  waterfowl congregate during migration. During these periods where the density of the birds is very high, transmission of the bacteria can easily occur through close contact, splashing of bacteria laden water, and other mechanisms.  Some outbreaks have resulted in deaths of thousands of ducks and geese. Some species are more sensitive to infection than others. For example in 1979, over 100,000 snow geese died near Hudson Bay due to avian cholera infection.