Wildlife Disease News Digest

A Sketchy Brucellosis Plan [Editorial]
Flathead Beacon
03 Aug 2007
R Kinkie
Area: Montana, USA

Any Montanan paying attention to state news knows that a cattle herd in Bridger recently tested positive for brucellosis. What the same intelligent, well-read Montanan may not know is that, in response, Governor Schweitzer proposed the creation of a 50-mile zone around the park, within which all livestock producers would be required to do more extensive testing than if the brucellosis-free status were lost.

What does that mean?

For decades, Montana has had brucellosis-free status, which allows producers to ship certified livestock outside the state without testing, a major market advantage. When this status is revoked, states acquire Class A, B or C labels, which all mandate certain levels of testing and disease containment at producer expense.

According to Governor Schweitzer’s sketchy plan, all cattle either entering or leaving the area have to be tested.

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New Building to Advance Study of Tuberculosis in Cattle, Wildlife
JAVMA News Issue – 15 Aug 2007
03 Aug 2007 (Accessed Date)

Two veterinarians who study tuberculosis can't wait to move their research into the new high-containment large animal facility at the National Centers for Animal Health in Ames, Iowa. Even before the dedication, Drs. Mitchell V. Palmer and W. Ray Waters relocated some white-tailed deer to the premises so the animals could acclimate—and help showcase the special cervid rooms.

The veterinary medical officers work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which began tuberculosis research in 1992 to respond to an increasing prevalence of the disease in cattle. Dr. Palmer said the main objectives are to improve diagnostic tests for Mycobacterium bovis, to explore the immunopathogenesis of the infection, and to develop vaccines. The researchers study tuberculosis in cattle and white-tailed deer as well as elk, reindeer, and raccoons.
The program to eradicate tuberculosis in cattle dates to 1917, Dr. Palmer said. Prior to the pasteurization of milk, M bovis accounted for about 25 percent of the cases of tuberculosis in humans."A big motivation for the tuberculosis eradication program was public health," Dr. Palmer said.

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Rabies Bait Drops Planned
PressRepublican.com
02 Aug 2007
J Meyers
Area: Clinton County, New York, USA

With rabid raccoons identified just over the border in Quebec, local vaccination bait dropped have been scheduled.

State and federal agencies will intensify their wildlife rabies-vaccination efforts in the North Country over the next few weeks. With raccoon rabies knocking on the region’s door, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services Division will begin trapping and vaccinating raccoons in the northeastern corner of Clinton County next Monday.

“A live trapping program is more intensive than a bait drop (by airplane or helicopter), but the USDA is trying to actively respond to the approach of raccoon rabies,” said Rita Mitchell of the Clinton County Health Department’s Environmental Division.

>>> FULL ARTICLE

>>> Wildlife Rabies Vaccination Efforts Expand

>>> Rabies Prevention a Worldwide Effort – JAMA News [August 15, 2007 Issue]

>>> Rabies: It is Not Going to Go Away

Laurel Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile
The Laurel Outlook
02 Aug 2007
Area: Laurel, Yellowstone County, Montana, USA

Mosquitoes trapped July 16, east of Laurel, have tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to Laurel Public Works Director Steve Klotz. He was notified of the positive test results last Friday . . .

The recent appearance of West Nile virus-type symptoms in pelicans at the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the discovery of infected mosquitoes elsewhere in the state indicates that the virus could soon emerge in other parts of Montana.

In the past, that meant the virus would appear two to three weeks later in other parts of the state. The Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in northeast Montana between Plentywood and Culbertson.“Mosquito collection sites along the Milk River and Yellowstone River are usually first to produce West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes following virus activity at Medicine Lake,” according to Montana State University entomologist Greg Johnson.

>>> FULL ARTICLE

>>>Michigan Announces First West Nile Case Of 2007