
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 17, 1994                   TAG: 9403170070
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                                LENGTH: Short

DEAD EAGLE MAY BE LINKED TO AVIAN CHOLERA

If a sick eagle found near the Chesapeake Bay is suffering from avian cholera, it would mark a significant escalation of the outbreak.

Preliminary tests Tuesday did not link the bird's condition to the avian cholera outbreak, but biologists were still considering that possibility pending a final laboratory report.

"It will be another 48 hours before we have a full diagnosis of what's going on," said Glen Askins, regional waterfowl manager for the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

If the bird is suffering from avian cholera, it will be the first eagle found harmed in the epidemic. In less than four weeks, avian cholera has killed more than 20,000 waterfowl in the Virginia and Maryland portions of the bay. The outbreak so far has been restricted mostly to sea ducks in the main stem of the estuary.

Game department workers found the eagle Monday in Lancaster County after receiving a report that it was on the ground and unable to fly. - Associated Press

by CNB