An outbreak of pasteurellosis in Kano Zoo.

An outbreak of pasteurellosis caused by Pasteurella multocida is reported in which six elands (Taurotragus oryx), a gnu (Connochaetes taurinus albojubatus), a zebra (Equus bruchelli), five kangaroos (Macropus rufus), an ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus) and a bateleur eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) died in Kano Zoological Gardens toward the end of the rainy season of 1978. Confirmation was based on cultural isolation of P. multocida. Analysis of likely factors that could have contributed to the outbreak indicated that it may have been precipitated initially by climatic stress associated with changes in rainfall, relative humidity and temperature.