Mosquito Samples From Oregon's Union County Test Positive For West Nile Virus
MedfordNews.com
27 Sep 2006
Photo Courtesy of MedfordNews.com
Mosquito samples from locations in Union County including ODFW's Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), Union County Vector Control and ODFW announced. The areas tested are part of Vector Control's routine monitoring of 18 locations in Union County. Five of 18 samples tested positive for WNV, including three positive samples taken from Ladd Marsh and two taken from areas around the city of Union.
The first WNV case in Union County was detected in horses in late August 2006. Wildlife and vector control officials will continue to monitor Ladd Marsh and other Union County locations for WNV, though mosquito activity is expected to diminish as colder weather arrives in the coming weeks.
First detected in Oregon in 2004, WNV has since been found in 18 counties. Current estimates indicate that only about 20 percent of people who become infected with WNV will develop noticeable symptoms such as headache and fever. Only one in 150 of those that experience symptoms will develop severe symptoms such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
Pennsylvania Game Commission: Rabies Confirmed in Coyote Killed in Berks County [Press Release]
Pennsylvania Game Commission (Posted by Yahoo!)
27 Sep 2006
Dr. Walter Cottrell, Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife veterinarian today announced the state Department of Agriculture's laboratory has confirmed that an eastern coyote killed in Sinking Spring, Berks County, was rabid. The sample was submitted by a private citizen, who killed the animal on Sept. 21, after it displayed aggressive behavior.
According to the individual, his dogs were attacked by the coyote, and it attempted to come through a door after attacking the dogs. One dog was bitten; both were previously vaccinated, and subsequently received booster shots. "This is the first confirmed case of rabies in this species in Pennsylvania," said Dr. Cottrell. "We always knew that coyotes were susceptible to rabies, but such a case had never been confirmed before.
The Game Commission is awaiting the results of tests to determine which strain of the rabies virus was affecting the coyote. With many Pennsylvanians, including hunters, trappers and hikers, preparing to enjoy outdoor activities in Penn's Woods, we wanted to remind them to be cautious if they encounter wildlife acting in an unusual manner."
Virus Strikes Eastern Oregon Deer
The Associated Press (Posted by OregonLive.com)
27 Sep 2006
A virus outbreak is being blamed for an unusually large number of deer found dead in south La Grande. Ten white-tailed deer and three mule deer have been found dead in the past month, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Blue tongue, a virus that periodically hits deer populations and poses no threat to humans, is the likely culprit, said Jim Cadwell, an ODFW biologist.
The disease typically strikes between late August through October and primarily hits whitetails. The outbreaks, which occur during dry years, are related to the abundance of tiny biting flies known as midges. "When the weather cools the insect is suppressed," Cadwell said. "The cause of the disease is shot down."
The ODFW was finding about two dead deer a day in south La Grande until the weather cooled a week ago. Then another dead deer was spotted Monday. Samples taken from the deer were sent to Oregon State University to be tested. Samples from other deer were not submitted because they were found well after their deaths.
Hunt is On for Escaped Elk Herd
Los Angeles Times (Posted by The Seattle Times)
28 Sep 2006
Julie Cart
Hunters have fanned out across eastern Idaho in pursuit of about 100 selectively bred elk from a commercial game farm that officials fear could spread disease and introduce genetic defects into the population of wild Rocky Mountain elk, including a prized herd in Yellowstone National Park, just eight miles away.
Idaho's governor recently authorized a "depredation hunt" of the escaped elk, the first time such a hunt has been ordered, according to state wildlife officials. Authorities in neighboring Wyoming and Montana said they had given game wardens orders to shoot the domestic elk on sight. Tissue samples are being taken from the carcasses and tested for disease and genetic history.
"Time is of the essence. We have to try to get these animals back," said Steve Schmidt, regional state fish and game director. "They are a huge unknown to us. Any introduction of new genes might have unknown consequences." The 10,000 to 15,000 elk in Yellowstone's resident herd for many years have been used as genetic feedstock to replenish herds elsewhere in the Rockies.
Salmon Carcasses in Creek Pose Risk
Union Bulletin
27 Sep 2006
Andy Porter
The remains of fish caught outside the basin shouldn't be dumped in waterways here because of disease, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist warns.
A fishy business discovered in Mill Creek Tuesday morning has prompted a warning from a wildlife biologist. Someone dumped 11 salmon carcasses into the stream, said Glen Mendel, a biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Although the person may not have realized it, he or she may have been putting the fish population of the Walla Walla River basin at risk.
The fish, which officials suspect were taken from elsewhere, could have been carrying diseases or parasites not found here, Mendel said. Putting fish carcasses from outside the basin into local streams can introduce those infections and parasites here, he said.
``We may have given an impression to the public that carcass enhancement is good, but it has to be controlled,'' he said. ``We don't want to discourage people or send a wrong message, but fish put back into a stream should be from the (Walla Walla) basin only.'' Also, ``since there is no salmon fishing in the basin, any carcass enhancement would have to be an organized and agency-permitted process,'' Mendel added.
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