TOP STORIES
Technical Announcement: Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Transmitted During Summer in California Wetlands
Waterfowl in California can spread low pathogenic avian influenza viruses during summertime when wetland temperatures are warm and waterfowl densities are low, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey study.
Scientists from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, the Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, the USGS Western Ecological Research Center, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison found that, rather than persisting primarily in colder northern wetlands as previously thought, low pathogenic avian influenza viruses can be carried within low-density waterfowl populations in high water temperatures. These findings indicate a previously unknown reservoir for low pathogenic avian influenza viruses and a potential source of infection for millions of wintering birds.
27 Feb 2012
UGA Researcher Looking at Illness in Bald Eagles [avian vacuolar myelinopathy]
A University of Georgia faculty member in forestry and natural resources is trying to find out what is causing the disease killing off bald eagles.
Susan Wilde is leading a team examining food sources for the country's most famous bird, hoping to determine why so many eagles suffer from avian vacuolar myelinopathy. The disease, known as AVM, causes deadly brain lesions and neurological problems.
28 Feb 2012
Location: Georgia, USA
Scientists: Mysterious Virus Blinds, Then Kills Kinneret Fish
An up to now unknown virus is blinding the Kinneret's remaining supply of Amnon (St. Peter's fish), scientists have determined. And the reason, they say, could be the overfishing of the Kinneret and the depletion of the lake's population of the popular fish.
Reports over the past year have documented many sightings by Kinneret fishermen of the mysterious disease, which actually causes fish to lose their eyes....
Experts say that the phenomenon was first observed a decade ago, but it is now estimated that it appears in some 10% of Amnon coming from the Kinneret. Scientists in Israel and abroad have confirmed that an until-now unknown virus has been found in fish that have lost their eyes.
The best they, and he, could come up with was that a mysterious virus in the fish was the cause, although the connection between the virus and the damage done to the fish was unclear. That the cause of the disease is a virus, as opposed to a parasite, ....
01 Mar 2012
D Lev
Location: Kinneret, Israel
Bats Harbor Novel Type of Influenza
A new subtype diverged from known influenza viruses long ago and does not seem to pose an immediate health threat
Fruit bats in Guatemala are hosting a novel subtype of influenza A virus, according to a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The virus — designated H17 — appears to have diverged from known influenza viruses long ago, shedding light on their evolution. Therefore, it seems to pose no immediate threat to humans. However, it is similar enough to other subtypes that genetic exchange with them could pose a risk.
27 Feb 2012
B Levine
Location: Guatemala
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OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
Photo courtesy of The Guardian feature The Week in Wildlife
Update on Starling Mortality Incident from Maryland State Wildlife Veterinarian/Director [PDF] [View past story on this mortality event on the Digest's News Map HERE] [Maryland, USA]
- New device can detect infectious disease quickly [Infectious diseases can spread very rapidly and identifying them promptly takes hours and days. Scientists have now developed a device which can detect infections within minutes]
- No friend of mine: Santa Cruz County bans sale, importation of bullfrogs [California, USA]
- First marine mammal necropsy at UNF [Florida, USA]
- Are Frogs Rapidly Facing Extinction? [While scientists argue over what factors are to blame, more than 40 percent of amphibious species are at risk for "imminent extinction."]
- Biologists, volunteers scour carcasses for clues about elk herd's health [Washington, USA]
- Deer-breeding farms would harm wildlife, cost jobs [Tennessee, USA]
