Screening procedures for Guam rail to return to Guam from U.S. mainland zoos.

 

This protocol is recommended ONLY for rails being shipped TO GUAM!

Objectives:

·      Find out what the diseases of concern are for Guam rail and try to screen for these diseases to reduce the potential for negative impact on the successful repatriation of rail to Guam.

·      Attempt to minimize the risk of accidental introduction of diseases carried by Guam rail that could have a negative impact on the native avifauna of Guam/Rota islands.

·      Attempt to warrant that the health status of the birds due to return to Guam meet the expectation as future breeding individuals.

Procedures:

·      The originating institution should perform a basic physical exam and fecal parasite screening to insure that no disease condition(s) exist that will inhibit the birds from being shipped to Guam.

·      Have the originating institution send a complete copy of the entire medical history for each of the birds so that this information can be summarized and provided to the studbook coordinator / SSP veterinarian along with the birds when they depart for Guam. 

·      Upon arrival at pre-release quarantine facility (SDZ, CRC or DAK) from the point of origin of the U.S. mainland zoo, the birds will be placed into a mosquito-proof environment. The birds will remain in this condition until they arrive at Guam. Crates for shipment will be similarly prepared to be mosquito resistant, and birds will be crated for shipment within the mosquito proofed area to maintain avoidance from mosquitoes at every point after arrival into isolation. The estimated time for completion of the screening process at the pre-release quarantine facility is four to six weeks. This six week period just happens to be in line with the ICBP recommendations for isolating birds in conservation programs (Cooper)

·      Please note these schedule dates are guidelines noly and adjustment may need to occur to consider lab schedules, veterinary team schedules, etc.  The chart at the end of this protocol is just a matrix guide to aid in scheduling and sample collection. 

·      Day 1 of isolation (arrival day): unpack the birds, perform a abbreviated visual exam by a veterinarian, check the ID bands, apply ID bands if necessary, weigh each bird, and release into the isolation cage individually on a concrete or other non-natural substrate.

1. Uncrate in mosquito proof environment for triage exam, weight , and identification

2. Intiatiate quarantine protocol and isolation period

·        Day 2 of isolation: 

1. Collect feces for fecal ova/parasite screen (routine direct and flotation exam)

2. Collect feces for aerobic bacterial culture including enteric pathogen screen for campylobacter and salmonella. 

·        Day 8 of isolation:

1. Weigh bird

2. Manual restraint for blood sampling: a total volume of 1.5 ml is withdrawn. Place sample into lithium heparin (improve volume for harvest versus serum) or a red top microtainer tube (some arboviral labs require serum). The following procedures are performed on each blood sample:

3. Choanal/ cloacal swab for Chlamydophila PCR.  This should be done in complement with the serology testing.    

4. Administer 3 ml of 2 ½ % dextrose in ½ LRS SQ after drawing blood.

·        Day 15 of isolation:

1. Each bird is anesthetized with isoflurane/oxygen via mask

2. Whole body VD and lateral radiographs are taken

3. Each bird is then weighed

4. Restrain for blood sampling. A total volume of 1.5 ml is withdrawn from the jugular vein. The following procedures are performed on each blood sample:   CBC,  Plasma/ Serum chemistry, Plasma electrophoresis (EPH), Asper titer/antigen screen (U. Miami) 

5. Administer 3 ml of 2 ½ % dextrose in ½ LRS SQ after drawing blood.

·        Day 22 of isolation:

1. Weigh each bird and record weight in the medical record

2. Collect feces for routine ova/parasite screen.

·        Day 29 of isolation:

1. Weigh each bird and record weight in medical record.

2. Restrain each bird for blood sampling. Collect 1.5 ml of blood and place the entire sample into green or red top tubes. The following procedures are performed on each blood sample:

3. Serum titer for eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEE), western equine encephalomyelitis virus (WEE), St. Louis Encephalomyelitis (SLE) and West Nile Encephalitis (WNV).  Any positive cases will be considered as suspects. Previous results will be compared as paired titers to establish a two-point serial titer evaluation on any animal with a positive titer at the four week bleed. Based on the results of this evaluation, the SSP coordinator will be briefed on the advisability of accepting a bird with evidence of exposure to any of these viruses.

4. Bank all residual serum samples at -70 C.

·        Day 36 of isolation:

1. Weigh each bird and record weight in medical record

·        Day 42 of isolation:

1. Veterinarian will review results of tests (all should have been received including initial acid fast culture but not  to include second acid fast culture)

2. Bird (s) should be assessed for clearance for shipment to Guam

3. Bird (s) will be held in isolation until shipped

4. At crating, each bird will be caught in a thin mesh wire to prevent exposure to mosquitoes.

5. Each bird will be weighed before crating, and each crate will be mosquito proofed.

6. Shipment to Guam is to be arranged so as to minimize layover time to Guam.  Expected layover in Hawaii,but direct flight to Hawaii is recommended. 

7. Any birds that die while in preshipment isolation, during transit, or after arrival should be submitted for a complete necropsy according to the existing necropsy protocol written by Dr. Don Nichols of the National Zoo for micronesian avifauna. Protocol to accompany paperwork on all shipments going to Guam.

8. Any birds that become ill while in preshipment isolation, during transit, or after arrival will be cared for by the veterinarian on duty at the holding facility (SDZ OR DAK), or at the Guam holding facility.