March 28, 2007

On Trail of Koala Killer
The Courier Mail
G Green
28 Mar 2007
Area: Australia
Photo Courtesy of G Parkes

A mystery syndrome causing hand-reared male koalas to die when released will be the focus of a world-first research project. The project was launched at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast yesterday. The drive to discover what has been affecting the cuddly icons is being led by the zoo's founder Bob Irwin, the father of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin who was killed by a stingray last September.

A passionate conservationist who has turned much of his huge Blackbutt property in the South Burnett over to koala habitat, Mr Irwin has joined with Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide and coffee franchise sponsor Zarraffa's in backing the project. Australian Wildlife Hospital manager Gail Gipp said while Mr Irwin's first love was reptiles – like his famous son – he also loved koalas and was keen to begin the research.




Chronic Wasting Disease Update - Report No. 85
National Wildlife Health Center
24 Mar 2007
B Richards

John Dungavell, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, provides the following: Since 2002, Ontario has conducted CWD surveillance of hunter-harvested deer. The program has tested more than 3500 deer with all negative results to date. Ontario will continue to conduct surveillance activities in the 2007 hunting season. In 2005, the Government of Ontario developed the Ontario CWD Surveillance and Response Plan which outlines the province’s actions with regards to CWD.

In November 2005, Ontario passed a regulation restricting the importation of high risk cervid parts (head, spinal column etc.) from other jurisdictions. For more
information on the Ontario plan, the regulation, or our surveillance program, please see our CWD website at http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/hunting/cwd. Additionally, if an Ontarian harvests a CWD positive cervid in your jurisdiction, please contact John Dungavell at 705-755-1573.




Satellite-tracking the Flight of the Godwit
Massey University
27 Mar 2007
Area: New Zealand
Photo Courtesy of Massey News

As the last bar-tailed godwits leave New Zealand estuaries on their northern migration to Alaska this week, Massey scientists will trace their journey via satellite-tagged individuals. Dr Phil Battley, an ecologist at the University’s Palmerston North campus, says the shorebirds’ northern migration is of particular interest because the birds touch down in Asia and are potential carriers of the H5N1 bird-flu virus to the Alaskan region.

Dr Battley says that while the 11,000 km southern migration of the godwit from Alaska to New Zealand is thought to be the longest non-stop migration of any bird, not much is known about their northern route. He is leading the New Zealand component of a collaborative research project with the United States Geological Survey and PRBO Conservation Science in the US to learn more about global migration patterns of declining shorebird species in the Pacific Basin.




Rabies Cases at Low Record in South Dakota
eMaxHealth
27 Mar 2007
Area: South Dakota, USA

In 2006, South Dakota reported its lowest number ever of animal rabies cases, says a Department of Health official. Dr. Lon Kightlinger, State Epidemiologist, said just 37 animals tested positive for rabies out of 645 submitted in 2006. That's the lowest case number since 1960, which is as far back as the department's rabies data goes. In 2006, the wild rabid animals included 24 skunks and 2 bats. Eleven domestic animals tested positive and included 5 cats, 4 cattle, 1 horse, and 1 dog.

There were no human rabies cases in South Dakota in 2006. The last human case was reported in the state in 1970. The risk of rabies is statewide, with rabid animals reported from 24 counties. The common skunk is the primary rabies reservoir animal in South Dakota. Pets and livestock contract rabies when bitten by rabid skunks. Bats may also carry rabies in South Dakota.




Hantavirus May Have Killed One Man, Infected Another
Charleston Daily Mail
23 Mar 2007
Area: Charleston, West Virginia, USA

Local health officials want to know whether the deadly rodent-born Hantavirus killed a Belle man and infected another resident. Lab results from local hospitals indicated that both men were infected with Hantavirus, said Dr. Kerry Gateley, director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department. Blood samples have been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for additional testing. Health department workers have interviewed friends and family members of the men, and visited their homes and work sites.

Gateley described both men as "young adults," but declined to give their ages. "We only have preliminary results," he said. "We're conducting an investigation. Obviously, this is not something you run across very often." One of the Belle men died about seven weeks ago. The lab result on the other man indicated an "old Hantavirus infection," Gateley said. The man was never hospitalized. "It came back that some time in the past, the person could have been exposed to Hantavirus," Gateley said.

at Wednesday, March 28, 2007

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