title: Avian poxvirus epizootic in a breeding population of Lesser Flamingos (Phoenicopterus minor) at Kamfers Dam, Kimberley, South Africa.
abstract: Avian pox has a worldwide distribution, but prior to this investigation has not been reported in free-ranging flamingo populations. During observations of the first successful breeding of Lesser Flamingos on a purpose-built island, at Kamfers Dam near Kimberley, South Africa, multiple small, raised, crusted plaques on the legs and facial area were noticed on 30% of the fledgling flamingos. A diagnosis of avipoxvirus infection was made on the basis of the macroscopic, histologic, and electron microscopic features, and was further confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. The avipoxvirus detected was very similar to that previously detected in albatross and falcons.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, PO Box 110040, Hadison Park, Kimberley 8306, South Africa. david.zimmerman@sanparks.org
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Erna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Wilpe
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carulei
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Douglass
authors.forename: Anna-Lise
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Antoinette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotze
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000821:virology; D018150:Avipoxvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001717:Birds; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011213:Poxviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology