Source: MICHIGAN STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
ROLE OF WILD BIRDS IN THE SPREAD AND MAINTENANCE OF ZOONOTIC PATHOGENS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0218713
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2009
Project End Date
May 31, 2014
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824
Performing Department
Fisheries & Wildlife
Non Technical Summary
Wild birds are implicated in the spread and maintenance of pathogens that pose significant health risks to wild and domestic animals, as well as humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, West Nile virus, avian influenza, eastern equine encephalitis, and the bacteria causing Lyme disease (Borrelia spp.). My research program investigates how a bird's physiology and behavior impact the maintenance and dispersal of these pathogens as well as how the infection in turn impacts the bird's behavior and/or physiology. This is an area of research that has received little attention due in part to the logistical difficulty of working with birds infected with these pathogens. My research program fits within the MAES mission of Enhancing Profitability in Agriculture and Natural Resources by investigating animals' resistance to disease and their ability to serve as reservoirs for human and domestic animal pathogens.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3114030107010%
7223899107030%
3114010107010%
3113899107050%
Knowledge Area
311 - Animal Diseases; 722 - Zoonotic Diseases and Parasites Affecting Humans;

Subject Of Investigation
3899 - Other animals, general; 4010 - Bacteria; 4030 - Viruses;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
Wild birds are implicated in the spread and maintenance of pathogens that pose significant health risks to wild and domestic animals, as well as humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, West Nile virus, avian influenza, eastern equine encephalitis, and the bacteria causing Lyme disease (Borrelia spp.). The objectives of my research program for the next five years are as follows: 1. Evaluate the potential role of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds in the dispersal of highly pathogenic and low pathogenic avian influenza. We propose to examine the migratory behavior and correlates of migratory performance (e.g., timing of molt, fat deposition, foraging behavior) of several species of migratory birds from two avian orders, Charadriiformes (shorebirds, gulls, terns) and Anseriformes (ducks, swans, geese), when infected with avian influenza, both low pathogenic (LPAI) and HPAI strains. The work will be conducted both with captive birds infected with LPAI or HPAI and free-living birds infected with LPAI on two different continents, North America and Asia (specifically, Mongolia). The data collected on migratory behavior of infected birds will be incorporated into spatially-explicit individual-based models with different sub-models (demographic, infection, movement) that will be capable of predicting the temporal and spatial spread of AIV by migrating birds. 2. Evaluate physiological condition (stress, reproductive hormones, energetic stores) and how it impacts a bird's reservoir competency, susceptibility to infection, and reactivation of latent infections. Specifically, we will evaluate how fluctuations in the nutritional condition of migratory waterfowl influence a bird's ability to serve as a reservoir of low pathogenic avian influenza. In another study, we will determine whether the innate immune response (acute phase response) is important in protecting a wild bird, in this case the Northern Cardinal, during a viral infection. In addition, determine whether physiological stress depresses an organism's immune response to a virus, such as West Nile virus. 3. Determine the prevalence of disease in double-crested cormorant colonies in the Great Lake region. Describe the daily movements of adult cormorants as it relates to spread of disease. We will evaluate the potential role of cormorants in the Great Lakes in regional spread of disease by conducting surveillance on their previous exposure to or current infection status of three pathogens, avian influenza, avian cholera, and Newcastle disease. These pathogens pose a potential risk to the poultry industry. 4. Evaluate species differences in resistance and tolerance for a variety of zoonotic pathogens, including, West Nile virus and Borrelia spp. The relative importance of different species in the enzootic transmission cycle is not currently known for many pathogens. The long term objective of the proposed research is to determine why some species of birds are more likely to support infectious agents (i.e., are more competent) than others.
Project Methods
The bird species used in my research include ones from the following avian orders: Anseriformes, Pelicaniformes, Charadriiformes, and Passeriformes. I use a combination of field and captive experiments to evaluate the role of birds in the maintenance and spread of bird-borne pathogens. The captive experiments are particularly unique given our ability to inoculate birds with Class 3 pathogens, such as West Nile virus, and then evaluate their behavior, migratory activity, and physiology. In addition, we can induce a variety of stressors and assess their affect on a bird's ability to maintain and amplify a pathogen.

Progress 06/01/09 to 05/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The primary target audiences are public health officials and wildlife disease ecologists. During the reporting period, I have also interacted with the general public and university students through the research being conducted at the Burke Lake Bird Banding Station located on the Rose Lake State Wildlife Area. There we have been assessing the health of migrating birds during fall migration. We have done significant outreach with the community and have had approximately 400 visitors this year, inlcuding young children, university students and classes, elementary and highschool students and retired bird enthusiasts. Through this effort, I have been educating the public and students about the importance of health of birds during migratory period as well as their potential role in the spread of zoonotic pathogens. Professional colleagues have also been part of my target audience through presentations at scientific meetings. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This past year, as throughout the project, there were significant opportunities for professional training. In the lab we had numerous undergraduates getting experience with laboratory assays, counting white blood cells, and conducting independent research projects. A master's student completed his third year of research. In the field, we had over 20 undergraduates and veterinary students receive significant hands-on training on the handling and processing of wild birds. Results from this project formed the basis of a funded NSF CAREER grant to address the role of birds in the maintenance of avian influenza. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been disseminated to professional communities through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at professional meetings. The primary avenue for providing information to the nonprofessional communities has been via the Burke Lake Banding Station website (www.bula.fw.msu.edu) and presentations/workshops at the banding station. Project results are also available at the Avian Health & Disease Ecology Lab website (www.owen.fw.msu.edu). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? One of the major accomplishments was the successful funding of an NSF CAREER grant to address the role of birds in the maintenance of avian influenza. This grant was based on findings from this project. The most significant impacts of this work have been in the area of disease ecology of migratory birds. Migrating birds are implicated in the spread of many zoonotic pathogens of public health concern. Our results show that immune function is frequently suppressed when animals are engaged in energetically-demanding activities, such as migration. A bird with a suppressed immune system may be more likely to get sick or maintain and spread an infectious agent. Efforts this past year focused largely on objectives 1 and 2. Long-term data sets reveal declines in many populations of landbird migrants. To date, conservation efforts have largely focused on factors influencing fitness during the breeding and wintering periods. As a consequence, the importance of migratory stopover habitat has been overlooked in the development of conservation strategies. There is a critical need for basic information describing the ecology of migrants during passage, including what types of habitat are important, how birds use habitats, and how those choices influence their overall health and physiology. This work took an integrated approach to better understand habitat use and the health and fitness consequences of that use during passage of both spring and fall migrants through central Michigan. The work provides baseline health data on migratory landbirds. Furthermore, we evaluated health in relation to stopover habitat and use of exotic vegetation. Results will influence the development of effective habitat management recommendations and conservation strategies for migratory landbirds.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Owen, J.C., M.C. Garvin, and F. R. Moore. 2014. Elevated testosterone advances onset of migratory restlessness in a nearctic-neotropical landbird. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 68:561-569.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Tran, T., R. Boughton, T. Wilcoxen, J. Fair, E. Hofmeister, J. Grindstaff, J. Owen and C. Fassbinder-Orth. 2014. Expanding our toolbox in avian ecological immunology: effectiveness of a new anti-passerine lgY detecting antibody in wild birds. The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual Conference. Austin, Texas.


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: During the reporting period, I have interacted primarily with the general public and university students through the research being conducted at the Rose Lake State Wildlife Area. There we have been assessing the health of migrating birds during fall migration. We have done significant outreach with the community and have had approximately 150 visitors this year. This includes 5 different classes from Michigan State University. Through this effort, I have been educating the public and students about the importance of health of birds during migratory period as well as their potential role in the spread of zoonotic pathogens. Professional colleagues have also been part of my target audience through presentations at scientific meetings - see outputs. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We had significant opportunities for professional training. In the lab we had at least 6 undergraduates getting experience with laboratory assays, counting white blood cells, and conducting independent research projects. One veterinary research student conducted independent research on health of birds in relation to habitat use and tick infestation. A master's student completed his second year of research. In the field, we had 20 undergraduates and veterinary students receive significant hands-on training on the handling and processing of wild birds. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We have presented at several national meetings and workshops. The presentations are listed here: Owen, J.C. 2013 – Invited. Host-level drivers of infectiousness in birds: implication for emergence of zoonotic pathogens. Merial-NIH Veterinary Scholars Symposium. East Lansing, MI (August 2, 2013). Owen, J.C. 2013. Interspecific differences in pathogen resistance. Joint NSF Research Collaborative Network: Ecoimmunology and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Host-Parasite Coevolution Symposium. Berlin, Germany. Oguchi, Y. and J.C. Owen. 2013. Habitat use and ecoimmunology of fall migrating landbirds. American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) and Cooper Ornithological Society (COS) Chicago, IL . Gawne, C., Y. Oguchi, and J.C. Owen. 2013. Leukocyte profiles of migrating Gray Catbirds in relation to habitat use. AOU/COS, Chicago, IL. Porter, M., J. Tsao, and J.C. Owen. 2013. Avian Health in Relation to Habitat Use and Ectoparasite Load During Migration. Merial-NIH Veterinary Scholars Symposium. East Lansing, MI. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? I will be collaborating on a NSF grant proposal to investigate the role of migrating birds in the spread and mainteance of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? One of the major accomplishments was to get the paper published on prevalence of Newcastle disease virus and avian influenza virus in double-crested cormorants (see products). We also published a paper on the resistance and reservoir competence of two species of landbirds to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a tick-borne pathogen. Furthermore, with funding from USFWS we continued to investigate the health of migrating landbirds in relation to habitat use. We examined whether the use of fruits from exotic plants had physiological and immunological consequences relative to the use of fruits from native shrubs. Preliminary results show that birds are preferentially choosing native dominated habitats. I submitted a NSF CAREER grant to address the role of birds in the maintenance of avian influenza. The proposal was submitted in July 2013.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cross, T.A, D. M. Arsnoe, R. B. Minnis, D. T. King, S. Swafford, K. Pedersen, and J.C. Owen. 2013. Prevalence of Avian Paramyxovirus 1 and Avian Influenza Virus in Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) in eastern North America. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 49 (4), 965-977.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jankowski, M.J., J.M. Fair, C.J. Williams, and J.C. Owen. 2013. Birds shed RNA-viruses according to the Pareto Principle. PloS One. 8.8 (2013): e72611.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: Owen, J.C., E. Cornelius, D.A. Arsnoe, and M. Garvin. 2013. Leukocyte Response to Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis Encephalitis Virus in a Wild Passerine Bird. Avian Diseases
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Johnston, E., Tsao, J. I., Mu�oz, J. D., & J.C. Owen. 2013. Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in American Robins and Gray Catbirds: An Assessment of Reservoir Competence and Disease in Captive Wildlife. Journal of Medical Entomology, 50(1), 163-170
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Owen, J.C., A. Nakamura, C.A.C Coon, L.B. Martin. 2012. Exogenous corticosterone elevates mortality risk to West Nile virus in Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Veterinary Research 43(1):34
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Allen, L., Brown, V., Jonsson, C., Klein, S., Laverty, S., Magwedere, K., Owen, J. C., van den Driessche, P. 2012. Mathematical modeling of viral zoonoses in wildlife. Natural Resource Modeling. 25: 5-51


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Conference presentations/Chaired Symposium Organized and chaired, with Dr. Mark Jankowski, a symposium entitled: "Avian Disease Ecology: from the level of the individual to the landscape" for the 4th North American Ornithological Congress in Vancouver, Canada in August 2012. Gave an introductory and conclusion talk in the symposium. PARTICIPANTS: Research 1. Study the migratory behavior of blue-winged teal in captivity. We are trying to determine how to measure this behavior in captivity so we can then design experiments that would test changes in this behavior when the birds is infected with a pathogen, such as avian influenza. I had 1 graduate student, Jessica Caton, on the project and at least 10 undergraduates. The data is currently being analyzed and there are no findings to report at the time. Research 2. Newcastle Disease virus and avian influenza virus in Double crested cormorants. - Collaborators: Dr. Rich Minnis, USDA Wildlife Services, Tommy King from USDA National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC), Dr. Fred Cunningham, USDA NWRC. - Cooperators: Pete Butchko, USDA Wildlife Services(Lansing), Tony Aderman, USDA Wildlife Services (Gaylord), Chip Weseloh, Canadian Wildlife Services, Erik Olsen, Grand Traverse Band of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians, Terry Doyle, USFWS TARGET AUDIENCES: As shown above our cormorant work involved regional, state, federal and international agencies and cooperation. Also, for the teal work, the findings will be applicable to broader ornithological community. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Nothing significant to report at this time. We are working on publishing results.

Publications

  • Johnston, E. , J. Tsao, J. D. Munoz, and J.C. Owenc. 2012. Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in American Robins and Gray Catbirds: an Assessment of Reservoir Competence and Disease in Captive Wildlife. Journal of Medical Entomology. Accepted.
  • Rivers, M. G. Betts, A. L. Liebl, J. C. Owen and L. B. Martin. 2012. Baseline corticosterone in nestlings carries over to predict juvenile survival in a migrant songbird. Functional Ecology 26: 1127-1134. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.02025.x
  • Owen, J.C., A. Nakamura*, C.A.C Coon*, L.B. Martin. 2012 Exogenous corticosterone elevates mortality risk to West Nile virus in Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Veterinary Research
  • Allen, L., Brown, V., Jonsson, C., Klein, S., Laverty, S., Magwedere, K., Owen, J. C., van den Driessche, P. 2012. Mathematical modeling of viral zoonoses in wildlife. Natural Resource Modeling. 25: 5-51


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Owen, J.C. Plenary talk for the workshop "Spatio-Temporal Dynamics in Disease Ecology and Epidemiology" for Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI), Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (October 11-14, 2011) Owen, J. C. and Arsnoe, D.M. Migrating birds and the spread of zoonotic pathogens. Ecological Society of America, Austin, TX (August 10, 2011) Owen, J.C. What is the functional significance of reduced immune function in migrating birds Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Bridging the Gap Between Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology Symposium, Salt Lake City, UT (January 5, 2011). PARTICIPANTS: Research 1. Physiological condition (stress and reproductive hormones, energetic stores) and how it impacts a bird's reservoir competency, susceptibility to infection, and reactivation of latent infections. We have two projects that fall under this heading: 1. Effect of body condition on mallard susceptibility to avian influenza - Collaborator includes Dr. Hon Ip from USGS National Wildlife Health Center - Cooperators: Dr. Roger Maes, DCPAH and the scientists at Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory/MSU - Trained 4 undergraduates in animal husbandry, blood collection, and laboratory work. 2. Reservoir competence of American robins and gray catbirds for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a tick-borne pathogen that causes anaplasmosis. Collaborator included Dr. Jean Tsao in Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Large Animal Clinical Sciences. Graduate student defending thesis on this project in December 2011. le of elevated corticosterone on Northern Cardinal response to West Nile virus - Collaborator includes Dr. Lynn Martin at University of South Florida - Trained Veterinary student in running a research project and writing manuscript (soon to be submitted) Research 2. Newcastle Disease virus and avian influenza virus in Double crested cormorants. - Collaborators: Dr. Rich Minnis, USDA Wildlife Services, Tommy King from USDA National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC), Dr. Fred Cunningham, USDA NWRC. - Cooperators: Pete Butchko, USDA Wildlife Services(Lansing), Tony Aderman, USDA Wildlife Services (Gaylord), Chip Weseloh, Canadian Wildlife Services, Erik Olsen, Grand Traverse Band of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians, Terry Doyle, USFWS TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDIENCES: As shown above our cormorant work involved regional, state, federal and international agencies and cooperation. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • Owen, J.C., F.R. Moore, A.J. Williams*, M.C. Garvin. 2011. Test of recrudescence hypothesis for overwintering of eastern equine encephalitis virus. Journal of Medical Entomology. 48: 896-903
  • Arsnoe, D.A*, H. Ip, J.C. Owen. 2011. Influence of Body Condition on Influenza A Virus Infection in Mallard Ducks: Experimental Infection Data. PLOS One. 6: e22633
  • Owen, J. C.. A review of blood collection, processing, and storage techniques for passerine birds. 2011. Journal of Field Ornithology. In press.
  • Squire, M.E., J. C. Brague, R. J. Smith, J. C. Owen. 2011. Evidence of Medullary Bone in Two Species of Thrushes. In press. Wilson Journal of Ornithology


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Conference presentations/invited symposium. Owen, J. C. Link between energetic condition, immune function, and disease susceptibility in migrant birds. Wilson Ornithological Society Annual Meeting, New Perspectives in Migratory Physiology and Energetics Symposium, Geneva, NY (May 22, 2010). Owen, J. C. and T. Hamilton, Movement and Disease Ecology of Double-crested Cormorants. 2010 Great Lakes DCCO Management Working Group Meeting (March 2, 2010). Owen, J.C., A. Nakamura, C. Coon, and L.B. Martin. Reservoir Competence of Northern Cardinals for West Nile virus: Role of stress. International Ornithologists' Congress, Campos Jordao, Brazil (August 28, 2010). Co-authored presentations: Nemeth, Z. (Presenter & Author), Owen, J. C. (Author Only), Luo, Y. (Author Only), Moore, F. (Author Only), Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, "Memory formation in first-year migratory songbirds as revealed by hippocampal CREB immunoreactivity." (January 2010). Rivers, J. (Presenter & Author), Betts, M.G (Author Only), Liebl, A.L. (Author Only), Owen, J. C. (Author Only), Martin, L.B. (Author Only), AOU/SCO/COS Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, Assessing Whether the Corticosterone Stress Response Predicts Post-Fledging Survival in a Temperate Songbird." (February 6, 2010). Johnston, E.*, Owen, J. C., AOU/SCO/COS Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, Characterizing resistance and tolerance of three passerine birds in response to two zoonotic pathogens: Borrelia burgdorferi and West Nile virus." (February 6, 2010). Hamilton, T.* Owen, J. C., King, T., AOU/SCO/COS Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, "Disease and movement ecology of Double-crested cormorants." (February 6, 2010). Arsnoe, D.*, Owen, J. C., Ip, H., AOU/SCO/COS Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, "Influence of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) body condition on the spread of low pathogenic avian influenza.." (February 6, 2010). PARTICIPANTS: Research 1. Physiological condition (stress and reproductive hormones, energetic stores) and how it impacts a bird's reservoir competency, susceptibility to infection, and reactivation of latent infections. We have two projects that fall under this heading: 1. Effect of body condition on mallard susceptibility to avian influenza - Collaborator includes Dr. Hon Ip from USGS National Wildlife Health Center - Cooperators: Dr. Roger Maes, DCPAH and the scientists at Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory/MSU - Trained 4 undergraduates in animal husbandry, blood collection, and laboratory work. 2. Role of elevated corticosterone on Northern Cardinal response to West Nile virus - Collaborator includes Dr. Lynn Martin at University of South Florida - Trained Veterinary student in running a research project and writing manuscript (soon to be submitted) Research 2. Movement ecology of Double-crested cormorants in relation to spread of disease - Collaborators: Dr. Rich Minnis, USDA Wildlife Services, Tommy King from USDA National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC), Dr. Fred Cunningham, USDA NWRC. - Cooperators: Pete Butchko, USDA Wildlife Services(Lansing), Tony Aderman, USDA Wildlife Services (Gaylord), Chip Weseloh, Canadian Wildlife Services, Erik Olsen, Grand Traverse Band of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians, Terry Doyle, USFWS TARGET AUDIENCES: As shown above our cormorant work involved regional, state, federal and international agencies and cooperation. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • 1.Whelan, R.J, Levin, T.C., Owen, J.C., Garvin, M.C., (2010). Identification of Carboxylic Acids as Volatile Components of Uropygial Secretions in the Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Journal of Chemical Ecology, 156: 183-188.
  • 2.Owen, J.C., F.R. Moore, A.J. Williams, E.A. Miller, L.C. Wilson, V. Morley, R.N. Abbey-Lee, B.A. Veeneman, B. DeRussey, M. McWhorter, M.C. Garvin. (2010). Test of recrudescence hypothesis for overwintering of West Nile virus. Journal of Medical Entomology. 47(3): 451-457.
  • 3.M. Hatch, R. Smith, J.C. Owen (2010), Arrival timing and hematological parameters in gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), Journal of Ornithology. 151: 545-552.


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: My students and I conducted an experiment with northern cardinals evaluating role of stress in viral and immune response when infected with West Nile virus. Another experimental infection project is investigating the role of energetic condition in the reservoir competence of mallard ducks for low pathogenic strain avian influenza. On a separate USDA-funded study we completed serological and viral surveys of double-crested cormorants to look for active or previous exposure to avian influenza and Newcastle disease virus. The cormorant research took place in Ontario and Michigan and is continuing through 2010. I gave two invited talks on double-crested cormorants and disease, particularly Newcastle Disease virus. The talks were given at the American Ornithologist's Union in Philadelphia, PA in August 2009 and at the Waterbird Society meeting in Cape May, NJ in November 2009. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators include Lynn Martin, Assistant professor at University of South Florida (analyzing cytokine expression in WNV-infected cardinals); Hon Ip, Diagnostic Virologist at USGS NWHC (providing LPAI virus strains to use in mallard project); Richard Minnis, USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services (co-PI on cormorant project). One veterinary student, 7 undergraduate students and 3 graduate students all received training on the described project. TARGET AUDIENCES: The cormorant research has a target audience of USDA APHIS Wildlife Services and National Wildlife Research Center. In addition, it is of interest to U.S. state agencies, Canadian federal agencies, and other stakeholder groups such as aquaculture facility operators, sports fisherman, and ecologists. Our mallard and cardinal projects are of interest to wide-variety of stakeholders that are interested in the role of birds as reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Prior to our experiment with cardinals, stress, and West Nile virus little was known about the direct effects of stress on a bird's survival when infected with disease. We found that mortality of stressed individuals was 5 times greater than non-experimentally stressed individuals. I trained a veterinary student on the process of doing scientific research and as a result she is considering a dual PhD/DVM so she can pursue animal medicine research. Our findings with double-crested cormorants have peaked the interest of both state and government agencies. We had 90 - 100% Newcastle disease antibody seroprevalence in our adult cormorants. Furthermore, the positive antibody status in the early season suggests the birds are getting infected on their wintering grounds which is in MS, AL, and LA, areas with a large poultry industry. I am currently in discussion with veterinarians and biologists with the USDA NWRC and USDA Wildlife Services about potential work we can do on wintering grounds with cormorants and Newcastle Disease. With the mallard study we are collaborating with USGS NWHC which provides further educational opportunities for the student involved. We have infected mallards varying in body condition with H5N2 LPAI and results are currently pending. The project has opened up future collaboration opportunities with USGS. Also, the USGS NWHC, myself, and ecological modeler from University of Southern Mississippi have applied (resubmission) for a NSF- Ecology of Infectious Disease grant which proposes to investigate the potential role of waterfowl and shorebirds in the inter- and intra-continental spread of HPAI and LPAI in Mongolia and North America.

Publications

  • J.C. Owen, M.C. Garvin (2009) , Epizootology of West Nile Virus In S.K. Majumdar (eds), Avian Ecology and Conservation: A Pennsylvania Focus with National Implications, Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences, In Press M. Hatch, R. Smith, J.C. Owen, (2009) Arrival timing and hematological parameters in gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), Journal of Ornithology, Accepted