An enigmatic wild passerine mortality event in the eastern United States

Sabrina S. Greening; Julie C. Ellis; Nicole L. Lewis; David B. Needle; Cristina M. Tato; Susan Knowles; Valerie I. Shearn-Bochsler; Jaimie L. Miller; Daniel A. Grear; Jeffrey M. Lorch; David S. Blehert; Caitlin Burrell; Lisa A. Murphy; Erica A. Miller; C. Brandon Ogbunugafor; Andrea J. Ayala; W. Kelley Thomas; Megan S. Kirchgessner; Christine Casey; Ethan P. Barton; Michael J. Yabsley; Eman Anis; Roderick B. Gagne; Patrice Klein; Cindy P. Driscoll; Chelsea Sykes; Robert H. Poppenga; Nicole M. Nemeth

doi:10.3390/vetsci12010048

An enigmatic wild passerine mortality event in the eastern United States

Veterinary Sciences

By: Sabrina S. Greening, Julie C. Ellis, Nicole L. Lewis, David B. Needle, Cristina M. Tato, Susan Knowles, Valerie I. Shearn-Bochsler, Jaimie L. Miller, Daniel A. Grear, Jeffrey M. Lorch, David S. Blehert, Caitlin Burrell, Lisa A. Murphy, Erica A. Miller, C. Brandon Ogbunugafor, Andrea J. Ayala, W. Kelley Thomas, Megan S. Kirchgessner, Christine Casey, Ethan P. Barton, Michael J. Yabsley, Eman Anis, Roderick B. Gagne, Patrice Klein, Cindy P. Driscoll, Chelsea Sykes, Robert H. Poppenga, and Nicole M. Nemeth

https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12010048

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Abstract

The ability to rapidly respond to wildlife health events is essential. However, such events are often unpredictable, especially with anthropogenic disturbances and climate-related environmental changes driving unforeseen threats. Many events also are short-lived and go undocumented, making it difficult to draw on lessons learned from past investigations. We report on the response to a mortality event observed predominantly in wild passerines in the eastern United States. The event began in May 2021 when wildlife rehabilitators and private citizens reported large numbers of sick and dead juvenile birds, mostly presenting as single cases with neurologic signs and/or ocular and periocular lesions. Early efforts by rehabilitators, veterinarians, state and federal wildlife agencies, and universities helped gather public reports and fuel rapid responses by government agencies. Collective efforts included live bird and carcass collections; submission to diagnostic laboratories and evaluation; information sharing; and coordinated messaging to stakeholders and interested parties. Extensive diagnostic evaluations failed to identify a causative pathogen or other etiology, although congruent results across laboratories have helped drive further investigation into alternative causes, such as nutritional deficiencies. This report highlights the strengths of a multi-agency, interdisciplinary investigation while exposing the need for an operational framework with approaches and resources dedicated to wildlife health.

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	An enigmatic wild passerine mortality event in the eastern United States
Series title	Veterinary Sciences
DOI	10.3390/vetsci12010048
Volume	12
Issue	1
Year Published	2025
Language	English
Publisher	MDPI
Contributing office(s)	National Wildlife Health Center
Description	48, 12 p.
Country	United States
Other Geospatial	eastern United States
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page