Community Corner

Type C Botulism Suspected as Cause of Duck Deaths in Koss Farms Drain Area

Type C botulism is a naturally occurring toxin that is not dangerous to humans or pets unless the contaminated animal remains are ingested.

The Macomb County departments of Health and Animal Control suspect type C botulism as the cause of several dozen duck deaths along the Rose Drain in the Koss Farms subdivision.

Homeowners living along the Rose Drain discovered a number of dead ducks in the area on July 28.

The Department of Natural Resources was contacted and on July 29, Animal Control responded to the area and collected some of the remains on the north side of the drain. Homeowners were told that the cause of the deaths was most likely type C botulism, as additional cases had previously been reported along 21 Mile Road.

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On Aug. 1, 42 ducks were counted dead or near death along the stream and one homeowner's older dog had died, reported Valerie Buckley, a Koss Farms homeowner, on the homeowner's association's website

Water & Sewer Superintendent Gerry Wangelin was informed of the situation as well as the Macomb County Public Works and Macomb County Health Department.

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The samples taken by Animal Control have been sent to the state lab to be analyzed, but health department toxicologist Cole Shoemaker told Buckley he strongly suspected type C botulism as the cause.

Type C botulism is a naturally occurring toxin that is not harmful to humans or pets unless the contaminated animal remains are ingested, according to the DNR. 

Large-scale outbreaks of the toxin often occur with periods of hot weather, high water temperature, low water levels or changing water levels, according to the DNR. There is no treatment for the Rose Drain, or any storm drain, and the outbreak will clear up on its own, Shoemaker told homeowners.

An important detail to note is that type C botulism is not airborne. According to the DNR, it only occurs when ducks or other waterfowl feed on toxic dead invertebrates found in the bottom sediments of the drain, become poisoned and die.

However, the Macomb County Health Department does recommend that homeowners keep pets, such as dogs and cats, and children away from the area until it becomes apparent that no other animals are affected.


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