Thousands of Birds Die of Botulism at Lake Erie

Researchers have counted more than 14,000 birds killed by avian botulism along Lake Erie this year, possibly the deadliest outbreak since the disease was discovered here four years ago. Wildlife officials said the toll in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Ontario, Canada, is probably much higher, because agencies are collecting only a fraction of birds that die.

The worst of the outbreak should be over, because colder weather has arrived and the birds most prone to botulism -- such as loons and mergansers -- are migrating, a researcher said.