For the first time, it was identified a mite in a three-year-old male ostrich that had lost feathers and showed skin irritation. The animal belonged to a flock of 50 birds, located in Baixada Fluminense, in Rio de Janeiro State. After they were fixed in 70% alcohol, clarifyed in lactophenol and mounted in Canada balsam, the mites were identified in the laboratory. They belonged to the Pterolichidae family and Struthioperolichus sculpturatus species (Hirst). The ostrich was treated by ivermectin in dose of 200µg/kg of body weight, with recovery and disappearance of the clinical symptoms. The occurrence of mite infestation by the described species in ostrich should be monitored by professionals and farmers, as they cause fall of feathers and economic losses.

Estudou-se a presença de anticorpos para o vírus da influenza aviária, subtipos H1N1 e H3N2, por meio da técnica de inibição da hemaglutinação no plasma de 225 aves da Fundação RIO-ZOO, do Bwana Park e de pequenas criações do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Entre as aves estudadas 60 (26,6%) foram soropositivas, sendo 22 (9,8%) para o subtipo H1N1, 28 (12,4%) para o subtipo H3N2 e 10 (4,4%) para os dois subtipos. Esses resultados indicam a ocorrência dos subtipos do vírus da influenza aviária investigados no Rio de Janeiro e apontam para o risco potencial de sua transmissão para a avicultura industrial e para pessoas.

The presence of antibodies to the avian influenza virus subtypes H1N1 and H3N2, was studied through the technique of hemagglutination inhibition in the plasma of 225 birds of RIO-ZOO Foundation, Bwana Park and of small flocks of the Rio de Janeiro State. Among the studied birds, 60 (26.6%) were seropositives, being 22 (9.8%) for the subtype H1N1, 28 (12.4%) for the subtype H3N2 and 10 (4.4%) for both subtypes. These results indicate the occurrence of these avian influenza virus subtypes in Rio de Janeiro and point out the potential risk of their transmission for the industrial poultry and humans.