Maggot-associated type C botulism in game farm pheasants

Type C botulism on a game farm resulted in the death of approximately 320 pheasants in 8 adjacent pens. Maggots of the genera Calliphora and Wohlfahrtia from 1 dead pheasant were the probable source of toxin for the other birds, and maggot migration before pupation probably resulted in the spread of the disease between pens. Toxin was not isolated from the serum of sick or dead birds, but was isolated from their spleens and livers as well as from maggots.