Use of sentinel ducks in epizootiological studies of anatid blood protozoa

Authors:
  • CHCarlton M. Herman
    Carlton M. Herman
  • GBGordon F. Bennett
    Gordon F. Bennett
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Abstract
Sentinel ducks exposed to natural infection during three summers (1972–1974) at the Tintamarre National Wildlife Area in New Brunswick, Canada, developed parasitemias with Leucocytozoon simondi and Haemoproteus nettionis. Leucocytozoon appeared as early as mid-June and active transmission was evident until the end of July. The level of parasitemia attained was low. Very few deaths were attributable to the infection. Haemoproteus was not evident until mid-July and active transmission continued until mid-August. Geese exposed at one site developed much more intense infection with L. simondi than developed in the sentinel ducks. No Haemoproteus was evident in these geese.