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The herring gull Larus argentatus as a likely transmitting agent of Salmonella montevideo to sheep and cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

J. C. Coulson ,
J. Butterfield  and
C. Thomas
J. C. Coulson
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Durham, South Road, Durham City DH1 3LE
J. Butterfield
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Durham, South Road, Durham City DH1 3LE
C. Thomas
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Durham, South Road, Durham City DH1 3LE
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Summary

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This paper presents evidence for the involvement of herring gulls (Larus argentatus) as vectors in the recent outbreaks of Salmonella montevideo in sheep and cattle in Scotland and suggests that the transfer can take place over considerable distances. The breeding area in Scotland of herring gulls which overwinter in N.E. England is remarkably similar to the geographical distribution of the outbreaks. This pattern, together with the feeding behaviour of herring gulls on farmland, the presence of S. montevideo in herring gulls just before their departure from the wintering area and the timing of the return just before the peak of outbreaks are all circumstantial evidence implicating this gull in the outbreaks. The rapid return of these gulls to their breeding areas means that S. montevideo can be transported long distances in one day and raises the possibility that the original source of S. montevideo could have been in N. E. England rather than in Scotland.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 91 , Issue 3 , December 1983 , pp. 437 - 443
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

References

REFERENCES

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