The most recent victim was a sick eagle found in January near Macon, Ga., and brought to AU's Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center. Despite aggressive supportive care, it died within 36 hours. Three more dead eagles have been found in the Carolinas and Georgia. They are victims of vacuolar myelinopathy, or coot and eagle brain lesion syndrome. The disease affects the brain and central nervous system by creating holes in protective tissues that insulate the nerves.
Sick birds have erratic flight or are unable to fly, and they stagger while on land.
Coots, small duck-like birds, are a common food source for eagles and also have been affected. It is not certain if bald eagles became sick after eating affected coots or if eagles and coots were exposed to the disease independently. We administered treatment and therapy, but he failed to respond. Despite research by scientists throughout the United States, no cause has been found for the mysterious illness. However, tests indicate the disease is most likely caused by an unknown toxin, either natural or man-made.