Wildlife Disease News Digest

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Government Announces Plan to Respond to White-nose Syndrome, Try to Stave Off Bat Catastrophe
Center for Biological Diversity - www.biologicaldiversity.org
23 Sep 2009
Photo credit: Marvin Moriarty/USFWS

In response to calls from the Center for Biological Diversity, dozens of other conservation organizations, scientists, and members of Congress, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has drafted a plan to respond to white-nose syndrome, a disease that has been killing millions of bats in the eastern United States over the past three winters.

Earlier this month, the Center for Biological Diversity sent a letter to the agency’s director, pleading for faster, more coordinated action on the die-off, which scientists believe could cause the extinction of several bat species within a few years.

White-nose syndrome has wiped out an estimated 1.5 million bats and reduced populations of bats in some areas by 90 to 100 percent. It has rapidly spread from the Albany, New York area, where it first appeared in caves in the winter of 2006-07, to a total of nine states from New Hampshire to West Virginia. It is expected to show up in bat caves this winter in Kentucky, Tennessee, and other midwestern and southern states, and biologists think it may reach the West Coast within two to three years.

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Bats wiped out at Strafford-area mine

Oil spill threatens rare turtles
BBC News - news.bbc.co.uk
24 Sep 2009
S Jena
Photo credit: Associated Press

An oil spillage from a ship which has sunk off the coast of the Indian state of Orissa could harm rare Olive Ridley sea turtles, environmentalists warn.

They say that parts of the beach have turned black as oil carried by waves continues to come ashore.

They also say that dead fish have been found on the coast near Paradip port.

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Dozens of dead deer in Tyrone Township believed to be victims of epizootic hemorrhagic disease
Michigan Local News - www.mlive.com
25 Sep 2009
L Shaw

Location: Tyrone Township, Michigan, USA - Map It

Homeowners in the area around Hoisington and Bennett lakes have discovered dozens of dead white-tailed deer in their yards and waterways over the past few weeks.

Department of Natural Resources officials say it appears the deer are victims of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD — an acute, infectious and often fatal viral disease that is spread by a biting fly or midge. However, no definitive lab tests have been conducted at this point to confirm it.

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West Nile virus found in bird in Walla Walla
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin - www.union-bulletin.com
S Hagar
23 Sep 2009

Location: Walla Walla, Washington, USA - Map It

A dead magpie found in the area of Fifth Avenue and Poplar Street is the second identification of West Nile virus in a bird in Walla Walla County.

Washington state Department of Health reported the finding on Tuesday, said Harvey Crowder, administrator for Walla Walla County Public Health Department, adding he wasn't surprised by the discovery.

"There have been positive mosquitoes, birds, horses, and people in Benton, Franklin and Umatilla counties. It was only a matter of time before we found the virus here."

>>>FULL ARTICLE