Wildlife Disease News Digest

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Toxic Dolphins Found in Miami
PlanetSave - planetsave.com
11 May 2009
J Richardson
Area: Miami, Florida

The closer the dolphins lived to downtown Miami, the more of the chemical was concentrated in them. The flame retardant can cause sterility in dolphins. Brominated flame retardants are applied to furniture, clothes and electronics to prevent them from burning. They also help slow the ignition of items that are in a burning room.

Unfortunately they have been used so much they are showing up in unintended places, with potentially dire consquences. Bottlenose dolphins accumulate this type of chemical, and PCBS, and mercury. Flame retardants alone have been found to cause death of unborn dolphin calves for first time mothers.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Reported Wildlife Mortality Events to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center Updated
USGS National Wildlife Health Center
13 May 2009
Area: United States

USGS and a network of partners across the country work on documenting wildlife mortality events in order to provide timely and accurate information on locations, species and causes of death. This information was updated on May 11, 2009 on the USGS National Wildlife Health Center web page, New and Ongoing Wildlife Mortality Events Nationwide. Quarterly Mortality Reports are also available from this page. These reports go back to 1995.

>>> Updated Wildlife Mortality Event Table

National HPAI Early Detection Data System (HEDDS) Update
NBII Wildlife Disease Information Node
13 May 2009
Area: United States

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Early Detection Data System (HEDDS) is an avian influenza data sharing repository. NBII and a network of partners across the nation have created HEDDS to hold data from different surveillance strategies and to provide a comprehensive view of national sampling efforts.

Recent HEDDS Activity

May 7, 2009: 14 samples and tests were added to HEDDS for 2009. Total is now 182.
May 6, 2009: 36 samples and tests were added to HEDDS for 2009. Total is now 168.
May 6, 2009: 12 samples and tests were added to HEDDS for 2008. Total is now 78,609.

>>>HEDDS' LPAI H5N1 Results Table
>>>For more about HEDDS

EPA Bans Deadly Pesticide Responsible for Millions of Bird Deaths
Common Dreams - www.commondreams.org
11 May 2009
Area: United States

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its final decision to revoke all food tolerances for the highly toxic pesticide carbofuran, which is sold under the name "Furadan" by FMC Corporation. The agency’s announcement confirms a proposed action first announced in July 2008. FMC Corp. will have the opportunity to challenge the decision within 90 days with a petition to stay the rule. When the rule becomes final, EPA will proceed with the cancellation of registration for all uses of the pesticide.

“Carbofuran causes neurological damage in humans, and one of the most deadly pesticides to birds left on the market. It is responsible for the deaths of millions of wild birds since its introduction in 1967, including Bald and Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, and migratory songbirds,” said Dr. George Fenwick, President of American Bird Conservancy. “This EPA decision marks a huge victory for wildlife and the environment.”

>>>FULL PRESS RELEASE

WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
Photo credit: PlanetEarth online