Is there a link between botulism outbreaks and fluctuating water levels?
There is some evidence that outbreaks correspond to low water level events. Historically, larger bird die-offs as a result of Type E botulism have occurred during periods of low or rapidly declining water levels, and water level fluctuations and draw down events in wetlands have also correlated with Type C botulism outbreaks. The mechanism behind this possible link still needs to be researched but is likely to be related to warmer water and sediment temperatures during low water events.
