Officials: disease is probably the cause of “significant number” of dead ducks in the Massachusetts River

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By web staff

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LOWELL, Mass. (WCVB) – The spread of a common waterfowl disease is believed to be the cause of a “significant” number of dead ducks recently seen in the Merrimack River.

Officials in the town of Lowell said they contacted the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and were told the deaths are likely caused by bird botulism.

“The National Park Service sent us a note saying they saw eight ducks floating in the water,” said Marion Larson of Mass. Wildlife. “The disease is called avian botulism, and the cause is an abundance of the toxin in the soil.”

Some sick birds drown, unable to hold their heads up, while others cannot breathe due to paralysis of their respiratory muscles.

“Ducks, geese, swans, although swans seem to have a little less risk, and this is probably due to their eating habits,” Larson said.

There were 200 bird deaths in Massachusetts and New England last year, including an outbreak that hit the Boston Public Garden Lagoon in the fall.

The water has been drained there, but along the Merrimack River that is not an option.

“We recommended that if there is a feeding activity, that it stop because you are gathering the birds together,” Larson said. “We all know that some diseases can be transmitted very easily when you have crowds. “

Botulism in birds does not cause illness in humans, but people should not touch dead or sick animals.

Your local animal control service can contact wildlife experts.

“It probably affects local people in the area, but overall waterfowl populations are thriving,” Larson said.

Officials in the town of Lowell have urged the public not to feed the ducks near the River Walk in order to prevent the ducks from congregating, which could lead to further spread of the disease.

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