Waging War on Emerging Diseases
Landcare Research (Posted by scoop.co.nz)
29 Jan 2007
Landcare Research scientists warn that New Zealand is poised on the brink of an “epidemic of epidemics” with, for example, one disease already present having the potential to wipe out our native birds and another to kill iconic kauri. Disease emergence is tipped to worsen due to climate and land-use change, and global travel. Researchers assessing the risks posed by various plant and animal diseases warn that we need to shift focus to pre-empting disease emergence, rather than just responding to it. Landcare Research epidemiologist Dr Dan Tompkins coordinates a team focusing on three diseases: avian malaria (responsible for numerous bird extinctions overseas), Johne’s disease (a wasting disease of farmed deer, linked to Crohn’s disease in humans) and Phytophthora fungal diseases (linked with death of diverse tree species worldwide).
A survey of avian malaria, the first for over 50 years, has shown the disease to be much more prevalent and widespread than thought. This is bad news for our native birds, which have little resistance to new diseases. Dan and his team used a new molecular test to find out if the parasites were present in sparrows and blackbirds. They found over 25% of some 400 birds tested positive, with a pattern of decreasing positive results from North Island to South, closely matching the widening distribution of the carrier mosquito.
Deer Herd Reduction Planned in Bovine TB Zone [News Release]
dnr.state.mn.us
26 Jan 2007
Five wild deer harvested this fall in northwestern Minnesota near bovine tuberculosis (TB)- infected cattle operations tested presumptive positive for the disease, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR will contract with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sharpshooters and take additional actions for removal of deer potentially infected with the disease. The presumed positive deer from this year are in addition to two deer from the same area found positive for bovine TB during last year's testing. Final test results from 2006 are pending.
The discovery of more bovine TB-infected cattle operations and deer in 2006 prompted this effort to protect the long-term health of the deer population," said Dr. Michelle Powell, DNR wildlife health program coordinator. "Temporarily reducing deer numbers in highly localized areas will minimize the chance that this disease will begin to spread through deer-to-deer or deer-to-livestock contact. The DNR is committed to working with livestock producers and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health to regain the state's bovine TB-free status." Bovine TB has been found in seven cattle operations in the area.
Wildlife Dealers to Meet on 'Crippling' EU Bird Embargo
stabroeknews.com
29 Jan 2007
Local wildlife dealers and trappers are to meet later in the week to discuss proposals on how the embargo on wild caught birds by the European Union (EU) can be mitigated. The EU amid a bird flu scare imposed the embargo in October of 2005. Since then, rules have been made even stiffer. Secretary of the Wildlife Association Thelma Reece told Stabroek News yesterday that a number of birds exported from Suriname to the EU had died as a result of bird flu which had apparently been contracted in the UK from other birds. A BBC report on the October 2005 incident stated that a parrot from Suriname died from bird flu in quarantine in the UK and had the H5N1 strain that has killed many persons across Asia and in other parts.
The Ministry of Agriculture was credited, according to Reece, with assisting exporters by providing veterinarians to ensure no bird flu strains prevail among the birds. The vets, she said, have been isolating the birds among other things to monitor and contain any possible contraction or spread of the virus. A 24-year veteran of the wildlife trade, Reece stated they were looking to come up with new strategies to approach the EU about the embargo which is crippling the local wildlife industry. She noted that at the moment no birds were being exported. Among the proposals is a request for compensation from the EU for the association's members to feed and properly maintain the birds already in captivity.
Chronic Wasting Disease - Report Update 84 [PDF]
wildlifedisease.nbii.gov
27 Jan 2007
State and Provincial Updates
Alberta:
Alberta is continuing testing for the provincial chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance program for 2006-07. One additional case of CWD in wild deer was confirmed on January 2.This brings the total to 17 cases in wild deer in Alberta since the first case in September 2005. The most recent case was taken by a hunter near Chauvin, not far from an earlier case reported in late December.
West Virginia:
On December 22, 2006 the West Virginia DNR announced that a hunter-harvested deer taken during the 2006 hunting season tested positive for CWD. The 2.5 year old buck, one of 1355 deer sampled in Hampshire County during the 2006 hunting season, was taken in close proximity to the previously-established cluster of CWD+ deer in Hampshire County. CWD has now been detected in a total of 10 deer in West Virginia, all in Hampshire County: one road-killed deer, four deer collected by the DNR in 2005, four deer collected by the DNR in 2006 and one hunterharvested deer during the 2006 deer season.
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Smithsonian. 2007 Feb; [Epub ahead of print]
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