German Zoo Finds H5N1 Bird Flu in Dead Swan
NEWS.scotsman.com
04 Aug 2006
Photo courtesy of NEWS.scotsman.com
A swan found dead in a zoo in the eastern German city of Dresden was infected with the highly infectious H5N1 strain of bird flu which is dangerous for humans, the local government said on Friday.
A government spokeswoman in Dresden said tests carried out by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, which advises the government on animal diseases, had confirmed the disease in the swan which was found on Wednesday. "We can confirm that this is the highly pathogenic strain," said the spokeswoman.
As a protective measure, authorities have sealed off an area of 3 km (1.9 miles) and a created a 10 km (6.2 mile) observation zone. Dresden Zoo remains open but has confined its birds to cages, closed off visitor access to them and stepped up disinfection procedures.
Biologists Confirm Case of West Nile Virus in Northern Nevada Sage Grouse
The Times-News (Posted by magicvalley.com)
04 Aug 2006
Michelle Dunlop
On the day after health officials confirmed a dead 12-year-old boy tested positive for West Nile Virus, biologists reported a case in a northern Nevada sage grouse, a sensitive species. State officials urge caution, not panic from the public. “This is not a public health crisis,” said Mark Drew, a veterinarian who tracks the spread of West Nile for the state.
On Monday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare verified that Rocco Magliozzi of Norwood, Mass., had West Nile Virus after being exposed while attending a youth camp in Gooding. The department suspects that Magliozzi also was exposed to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and that a combination of the two caused his death, said Ross Mason, a spokesman for Health and Welfare. “It’s unlikely that West Nile would have done it by itself,” Mason said.
West Nile primarily is a bird virus transmitted to humans and animals through mosquito bites. Most infected humans develop no symptoms or mild flu-like symptoms. Only one percent of those infected develop neurological disease.
In-State Elk Movement Rules to be Repealed; New Federal CWD Regulations to be Reviewed [News Release]
Texas Animal Health Commission
02 Aug 2006
Commissioners for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state’s domestic and exotic livestock and poultry health regulatory agency, Tuesday proposed a repeal of in-state movement requirements for elk, which had included mandatory premises and animal identification, and movement reporting requirements. Written public comment on the rule repeal will be accepted by the TAHC until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6. Statements may be emailed to comments@tahc.state.tx.us or mailed to Comments, TAHC, Box 12966, Austin, TX 78711-2966.
“The in-state movement regulations for elk were adopted and enacted in Texas in January 2006, prior to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) commitment that the premises and animal identification was to remain voluntary,” said Dr. Bob Hillman, TAHC executive director and Texas’ state veterinarian. He explained that the
TAHC commissioners in early April tabled proposed premises registration requirements for all premises with livestock or poultry (except those with elk), but they encourage voluntary participation.
“Due to timing, the elk industry, which had helped to develop the rules, was ahead of other species for animal identification. Elk producers requested that the rule be rescinded to allow for voluntary participation, as is the case for other species. If the proposal is adopted as a final rule by the TAHC commissioners at their December 5, 2006, commission meeting, the elk identification rule for in-state movement could be officially repealed by January 2007,” he said.
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