The consumption of game birds is of major significance in many parts of the
world. Game birds are hunted in the wild for sport or food. Often game bird
species are grown on a game farm and most birds are processed at an offfarm facility. Their low fat, high protein, healthy meat have made it very popular
for consumers. It is therefore important to be aware of and to present some
of the common game bird diseases to help the control those health problems.
Biosecurity on all poultry farms is of the highest priority for game birds may
carry zoonotic bacteria and transmit them to hunters through birds handling or
through the meat handling and consumption. Monitoring infectious diseases to
react quickly is important for foresters, hunters, veterinarians and certainly – for
consumers. Bacterial diseases affect pheasants, partridges, quails, mallards and
ducks. This article gives an update on risk factors and characteristics of bacterial
game bird diseases and their diagnostic methods. The following diseases are
presented: tuberculosis, Salmonella infections, colibacteriosis, paratuberculosis,
spirochetosis, mycoplasmosis, staphylococcosis, streptococcosis, infection
of Clostridium colinum, yersiniosis, campylobacteriosis, necrotic enteritis and
listeriosis.