Isolation of Salmonella spp. from dead gulls (Larus californicus and Larus delawarensis) from an Idaho irrigation reservoir.

An epizootic of unknown etiology resulting in the death of about 500 sea gulls (Larus californicus and Larus delawarensis) in 24 hr occurred on an irrigation reservoir in southwestern Idaho in April 1975. Salmonella spp. were isolated from necropsy specimens from 2 of 6 gulls examined. No Salmonella spp. were isolated from fecal specimens or dead gulls collected at a nesting site.