Wildlife Disease News Digest

West Nile Has Arrived in Ontario Oxford Birds Virus-free So Far
The Tillsonburg News
13 Jul 2007
N Boutin
Area: Ontario, Canada

It has yet to turn up in Oxford, but West Nile virus has arrived in Ontario.
According to Canadian Co-operative Wildlife Health Centre statistics, so far 496 birds from across Canada have been tested for the illness, and seven - all from Ontario - have turned up positive. Ontario accounts for over one-third of the total birds tested. Locally, Oxford County has sent nine birds for testing, but none have been infected with the virus. The story is the same in Haldimand-Norfolk, where 10 birds have been tested.

Last year, 2,552 birds from across Canada were tested, and 273 West Nile-positive birds were found. Ontario accounted for 972 of the birds tested, and 256 of the total positive birds. Although you might think the hot, dry weather we’ve been having would be bad news for mosquitoes looking to breed, Klaus Seeger, supervisor of health protection with the Oxford County Department of Public Health and Emergency Services, said it can be both a blessing and a curse; On one hand, when there’s no rain, catchbasins become stagnant, creating ideal mosquito-breeding territory.

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Raccoon Stowaway Poses Threat to Catalina Wildlife
The Associated Press (posted by SignonSanDiego.com)
11 Jul 2007
Area: California, USA

A raccoon that stowed away on a boat and got to Santa Catalina Island is worrying conservationists because it may spread disease to native animals. The raccoon has been spotted several times around the island. Officials are worried that it might pose a threat to the endangered island fox, which was nearly wiped out by canine distemper several years ago.“Their population hasn't increased to the point where they can afford to take another big hit,” said Julie King, senior wildlife biologist for the Catalina Island Conservancy.

Raccoons can carry distemper, and their droppings many contain the eggs of intestinal roundworms, King said. “This could be an entirely new parasite that the foxes could potentially get, and it would be lethal to them,” she said. The raccoon appears to be the only one on Catalina. It slipped aboard a 38-foot yacht that Jerry and Helen Henderson of San Pedro sailed to the island on July 1. Mrs. Henderson said she was on deck and felt something fuzzy touch her toe.

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WA Govt Urged to Invest More on Wildlife Disease Research
ABC Perth
13 Jul 2007
Area: Australia

Experts in wildlife diseases will meet at the Perth Zoo today to examine the threats to the state's unique and endangered animals, especially in south-west Western Australia.

Murdoch University professor Andrew Thompson says the State Government needs to invest more money into research on disease-causing agents to native animals. He says many of the speakers have been investigating the sharp decline in the south-west marsupial, the woylie.

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