Wildlife Disease News Digest

TOP STORIES

Deadly bird flu virus found in wild duck in Germany
Channelnewsasia.com - www.channelnewsasia.com
11 Mar 2009
Area: Starnberg, Bavaria, Germany - Map It

German authorities have discovered the first case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus this year, the European Commission announced on Tuesday. The virus was discovered in a wild duck shot during a hunt near Starnberg, in Bavaria, the first case found in a wild bird for over a year, the commission said in a statement. Around 250 people have died of the human form of avian flu since 2003, according to the World Health Organisation. Most had close contact with sick birds, but scientists fear the virus could mutate into a form that would spread rapidly among humans, causing a pandemic.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Death From Above for Plankton
ScienceNOW - sciencenow.sciencemag.org
10 Mar 2009
Photo credit: A Paytan et al.
J Grom

Nutrient-rich particles sifting out of the atmosphere can be a boon for phytoplankton, the tiny floating algae that support ocean food webs. But new research suggests that some particles are poisoning phytoplankton, potentially disrupting marine ecosystems and altering the amount of greenhouse gases withdrawn from the atmosphere. These atmospheric particles, or aerosols, can be natural or humanmade and include mineral-rich dust, soot, organic molecules, and sea salt crystals. Previous studies have emphasized the benefits of aerosol deposition in the ocean.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Cited Journal Article
>>>Toxicity of atmospheric aerosols on marine phytoplankton. PNAS. 2009 Mar 09. [Epub ahead of print]

Related News
>>>Acidic seas fuel extinction fears

Bird food recalled due to Salmonella contamination [Press Release]
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs - www.ncagr.gov/paffairs
10 Mar 2009
Area: North Carolina, United States - Map It

Kentucky -based Burkmann Feeds announced today that it is voluntarily recalling Wild Birds Unlimited Wildlife Blend bird food after tests conducted by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Food and Drug Protection Division revealed the presence of Salmonella bacteria. Burkmann is recalling 20-pound packages of Wild Birds Unlimited Wildlife Blend bird food with the specific manufacturing date code of 81132200 2916 08124, sold exclusively at Wild Birds Unlimited Stores. The department initiated an investigation following reports of salmonellosis in dead wild birds found in various locations throughout the state. NCDA&CS is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to identify the source of contamination at the manufacturer.

>>>FULL PRESS RELEASE

OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED STORIES
Photo credit: environe.blogspot.com