Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Rapid Diagnosis of Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Birds: Use of a Portable rRT-PCR and Freeze-dried Reagents in the Field
Published on: August 2, 2011
An outbreak of type C botulism in waterbirds: Incheon, Korea
Na-Ri Shin1, Seong Hwan Byun, Jeong Hoon Chun
1Division of High-Risk Pathogen Research, Center for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Seoul 122-701, Korea.
Abstract:
Five outbreaks of botulism in waterbirds were encountered over a 5-yr period from 2004 to 2008 in Korea. In October 2008, an outbreak of avian type C botulism affected approximately 2,000 wild waterbirds in the Namdong flood control basin, Incheon, South Korea. Ecologic conditions, clinical signs exhibited by moribund birds, and lack of gross pathology and microbial evidence of infectious disease, suggested botulinum intoxication. Type C botulinum toxin was demonstrated in duck sera, liquid culture of intestinal tissue, and an extract of maggots taken from the carcasses. Additionally, 34 of 40 (85.0%) sediment samples from the same area were positive for botulinum toxin by mouse bioassay using multivalent (types A-F) antiserum, indicating that toxigenic Clostridium botulinum was present in the environment. This is the most severe case of avian botulism documented in Korea.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Botulism
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Cholera
Reservoir of Infection
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Sources of Food Contamination

