TOP STORIES 
Analysis of 215 wild carnivores in the Basque Country confirm existence of important pathogens
The Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Neiker-Tecnalia, is aware of the need to have a programme of health monitoring for wild species, in order to minimise the incidence of illnesses, some of which can be transmitted to humans and domestic animals.
. . . The analysis confirmed the presence of zoonotic pathogens at levels which were of little importance. Amongst the main infections detected, were salmonellosis, yersiniosis, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, bartonelosis, trichinellosis, coccidioidomicosis and mange.
. . . The role of badgers and foxes is notable for being the first choice for these monitoring studies, as they are both very common species, relatively abundant and highly susceptible to the zoonotic agents investigated. Their study has enabled identifying pathogenic agents not described to date in Spain, such as the fungus Coccidioides immitis and the bacteria Bartonella rochalimae, both transmissible to humans, as well as the discovery of a new species of Bartonella, that affects a large number of badgers.
29 April 2010
Photo courtesy of www.neiker.net
VHS No Longer Causing Huge Fish Die-Offs Fishing and boating enthusiasts in the Great Lakes region can be proud and relieved that their actions since 2006 have helped to contain huge fish die-offs from the infectious disease Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) veterinarian Dr. Paul G. (Gary) Egrie.
“While this is good news, people still have to remain vigilant so that VHS, other fish diseases and invasive species are contained and controlled,” he adds.
The VHS pathogen was first discovered in 2006 in Lake St. Claire, in Michigan and caused significant deaths to some native fish species at that time.
18 May 2010
Photo credit: P Bowser/Aquatic Animal Health Program, Cornell University
More Cases of White Nose Syndrome Discovered in Missouri
Last month, KSMU told you about a case of white nose syndrome in a bat in Pike County. The disease has killed more than one million bats in the northeastern United States since its discovery in 2006.
Now comes word that Missouri State University graduate students conducting bat research at a cave along the Current River in Shannon County have found more infected bats. Five endangered gray bats there tested positive for the disease.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways officials have closed all caves in the park to try to prevent the spread of white nose syndrome.
Diseases and Medical Management of Houbara Bustards and Other Otididae - Announcement ReleaseZoological Education Network is proud to announce the release of “Diseases and Medical Management of Houbara Bustards and Other Otididae” as a digital Adobe Acrobat PDF instant download file.
Some selected topics include:
- Diets fed to bustards and bustard chicks in captivity
- Clinical observations of changes in biochemistry values in bustards regarding:
- Fatty liver disease and myopathy
- Effects of management
- Angular limb deformities
- Principles of cytology and cytodiagnosis of common bustard diseases
- Administration of medications to individual bustards and bustard flocks
- Quarantine protocols
- Rehabilitation techniques
- Preventive medicine programs for breeding projects
OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
Photo credit: T Laman/National Geographic
- Cottontail rabbit population drops below 100 in N.H.
No new cases of CWD found in deer tested in ND- Climate Threatens Trout and Salmon [cited journal article here]
- Crews fish out lost nets to save trapped wildlife [Puget Sound, Washington, USA]
- Setting Time Limits for Hunting and Fishing May Help Maintain Wildlife Populations [cited journal article here]
- Are Invasive Species Bad? Not Always, Say Researchers [cited journal article here]
- Rescued dolphin faring better after shark bite
- Rabies, bovine - Mexico: (TB) [Comalcalco, Mexico - Map It
] - New Species Found in "Lost World": Pinocchio Frog, More [includes image gallery]
Gulf Oil Spill News
- Turtle deaths running high since oil spill: expert
- UC-Davis veterinarian to lead Oiled Wildlife Care Network efforts on Gulf Coast
- The Gulf spill is not Exxon Valdez 2.0
WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Browse complete Digest publication library here.
The impact of potential mitigation strategies on the predicted spread of foot and mouth disease in white-tailed deer in south TexasPrev Vet Med. 2010 May 1;94(3-4):282-8. Epub 2010 Feb 23.
LD Highfield et al.
Detection of Leishmania infantum DNA in tissues of free-ranging red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Central Italy
European Journal of Wildlife Research. 2010; [Epub ahead of print]
R Verin et al.
Using probabilistic models to investigate the disappearance of a widespread frog-species complex in high-altitude regions of south-eastern Australia
Animal Conservation. 2010 Jun; 13(3); 275-285
AJ Hamer et al.
Body condition does not predict immunocompetence of western pond turtles in altered versus natural habitats
Animal Conservation. 2010; 13(3): 256 - 264.
N. Polo-Cavia et al.
Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Movements and Dispersal Associated with Ridges and Valleys of Pennsylvania: Implications for Rabies Management
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. 2010. [Epub ahead of print]
RB Puskas et al.
