Leptospirosis: Mild Winters Could Mean More Cases
The Horse - thehorse.com
03 Jun 2007
S Dowling
Area: United States
Several years of mild winters in the Midwest might bring veterinarians and physicians more than the usual number of cases of leptospirosis, or "lepto," a bacterial disease that can affect cattle, swine, horses, wildlife, dogs, and humans. According to Carol Maddox, MS, PhD, a microbiologist at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, Ill., several strains of the bacterium Leptospira interrogans survive in water and can persist in the natural environment in lakes, streams, and retention ponds. In the spring the bacteria are ingested by raccoons, opossums, and other wildlife. While these animals may not get sick from lepto, they act as hosts for the disease, enabling the bacteria to multiply.
The bacteria are spread through the animals' urine during spring and summer. Then pets and people come into contact with contaminated water, and cases of the disease usually peak in the fall. Normally, Leptospira numbers dwindle during cold winters, keeping the disease in check. However, Maddox predicts that places like the College's Veterinary Teaching Hospital could see a heavier caseload, starting sooner than usual, since many lepto organisms probably survived the recent mild winters.
Rabid Rat Would Be a First for Oregon
The Associated Press (Posted by ktvz.com)
03 Jun 2007
Area: Oregon USA
State health officials say a rat found in Deschutes County may be the first one in Oregon to test positive for carrying the rabies virus. Officials say rabies in Oregon is most often found in bats - but hardly ever in rats. The rat was discovered by a La Pine resident whose dog picked it up. It has been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for further testing.
Fish Virus Concerns Anglers, Businesses
National Public Radio - Morning Edition - npr.org
04 Jun 2007
C Quirmbach
Area: Wisconsin USA
A virus that is killing fish has moved across the Great Lakes and into one in Wisconsin. Despite warnings, humans may have spread the disease by moving contaminated fish, bait or boat water. Regulators are trying to quell the spread of the virus.
>>>Griffin: Stopping Invasive Species Up to All of Us
>>>Fish Virus May Creep Into Area Hatcheries
Churchill Magpie Tests Positive for West Nile Virus
Nevada Appeal - nevadeappeal.com
02 Jun 2007
Area: Nevada USA
First reported case of season
A magpie from Fallon has opened this year's West Nile Virus season. Swabs from the bird were submitted to the Nevada Department of Agriculture's Animal Disease and Food Safety Laboratory by a Nevada Department of Wildlife employee. This first finding of viral activity comes weeks earlier than in 2006. Last year the first positive bird was also a magpie from Churchill County, which was tested June 21. One day earlier, a mosquito pool from Lyon County had been identified as the first positive specimen of Nevada's 2006 West Nile Virus season.
All of the more than 230 mosquito pools from several counties that have been tested this year have been negative. Last year, 153 of 2,620 mosquito pools and 43 of 125 birds submitted to the lab tested positive. Donna Rise, director of Nevada Department of Agriculture, said, "Our Animal Disease & Food Safety Laboratory is one of the best in the Western United States. We were set up for early sampling and are a little surprised the first Nevada positive was three weeks earlier than 2006." Dr. Bradford Lee, Nevada State health officer, strongly urges Nevadans to practice preventive measures.
Protecting the World from Emerging Diseases Linked to Globalisation
The Poultry Site - thepoultrysite.com
04 Jun 2007
As a result of globalisation and climate change we are currently facing an unprecedented worldwide impact of emerging and re-emerging animal diseases and zoonoses (animal diseases transmissible to humans). Improving the governance of animal health systems in both the public and private sector is the most effective response to this alarming situation. The animal disease crises we have recently experienced have provided a clearer understanding of the benefits to the international community of applying the appropriate animal health policies and programmes in order to safeguard public health and ensure food safety. It is now clearly established that the cost of preventing sanitary crises of animal origin by early detection of outbreaks and rapid response mechanisms included in national veterinary surveillance systems are insignificant compared to the social, economic and environmental cost of disasters resulting from epizootics, such as BSE, foot and mouth disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza.
When the world was hit by the avian influenza crisis, the OIE recommended strengthening veterinary governance worldwide, not just to fight avian influenza, but also to prevent and control any outbreaks of emerging or re-emerging animal diseases, including zoonoses, whether naturally occurring or deliberate. This message was aimed in particular at developing and in-transition countries. Indeed, a single country failing to control animal disease outbreaks could put the entire world at risk. The OIE World Animal Health and Welfare Fund was created by a Resolution (1) of the OIE International Committee in May 2004 to provide a means of responding urgently to these new challenges and in particular to help Member Countries strengthen their capacities in terms of governance of animal health systems.
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