|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

Salmonella in Pheasants

Salmonella, a bacterium that can cause infections in birds, affects pheasants in several ways. It can colonize the intestinal tract and spread through a flock. It can also infect eggs, according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

  1. Salmonellosis

    • Salmonella enteritidis and salmonella typhimurium live in the intestinal tract of pheasants and can cause salmonellosis, with symptoms like diarrhea, loss of appetite, poor growth of feathers, and death within five days. Salmonellosis usually affects birds under 6 weeks old and also can spread to eggs, according to the department of agriculture.

    Fowl Typhoid

    • Salmonella gallinarum causes a disease called fowl typhoid, which adult pheasants transmit to eggs. Adult birds may remain asymptomatic, according to the department of agriculture.

    Pullorum Disease

    • Salmonella pullorum causes pullorum disease, with symptoms much like fowl typhoid. Neither bacterium poses a danger to humans. Both occur infrequently in developed countries, according to Intervet. Salmonellosis, however, can cause illness in humans who consume raw eggs and undercooked poultry, according to Intervet.

Public Health - Related Articles