TRAVEL WARNINGS: CDC warns of deadly Novel (New) CORONAVIRUS in the ARABIAN PENINSULA and UNITED KINGDOM ~ RABIES VACCINE still in short supply ~ RABIES reports from GA, MO, OH, TXx2, & WV.

Bat colony. Courtesy National Park Service.

Travel Warnings:

Middle East

Global 03/08/13 cdc.gov: News Release – From April 2012 to February 2013, a total of 14 people in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Kingdom (UK) were confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus; 13 cases were severe and one case was mild. Eight of these 14 people died. In the UK, an infected man likely spread the virus to two family members. He had recently traveled to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and got sick before returning to the UK. This cluster of cases provides the first evidence of person-to-person transmission. The UK’s Health Protection Agency is continuing to investigate this. Also, clusters of cases in Saudi Arabia and Jordan are being investigated.

CDC does not recommend that anyone change their travel plans because of these cases of the novel coronavirus. CDC recommends that US travelers to countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula monitor their health and see a doctor right away if they develop fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath. They should tell the doctor about their recent travel. Coronaviruses are a cause of the common cold. A coronavirus also was the cause of the severe respiratory illness called SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). SARS caused a global epidemic in 2003, but there have not been any known cases of SARS since 2004. This novel coronavirus is not the same coronavirus that caused SARS. – For further information see   http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/in-the-news/coronavirus-arabian-peninsula-uk.htm

CDC Coronavirus Investigation:

Author’s Note: According to CDC, the reservoir and route of transmission of the novel coronavirus are still being investigated. Genetic sequencing to date has determined the virus is most closely related to coronaviruses detected in bats. CDC is continuing to collaborate with WHO and affected countries to better characterize the epidemiology of novel coronavirus infection in humans. – For further information see http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ncv/case-def.html

Mountain Lion Sightings:

California 03/08/13 Los Angeles County: Two separate incidents involving a mountain lion, perhaps the same one, were reported in Sierra Madre. Two pets, a cat and a dog, were killed. On Tuesday of this week the lion was spotted in the vicinity of Santa Anita and Oakwood avenues, then Foothill Avenue and Camillo Road, and finally in the 500 block of Los Rocas Drive where a resident saw a house cat in its mouth. On Thursday evening a lion killed a small dog in the backyard of a home on Vista Circle Drive. Residents have been urged to keep a close eye on small children and pets. – See http://sierramadre.patch.com/articles/mountain-lion-kills-small-dog-reportedly-attacks-other-animals

Rabies:

National 03/07/13 cdc.gov: Rabies vaccine supplies remain restricted in the United States. Rabies vaccine produced by Sanofi Pasteur (IMOVAX), is currently available for post-exposure prophylaxis only. Vaccine produced by Novartis (RabAvert), continues to be available for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis. CDC continues to work with partners to monitor the status of the rabies vaccine supply. This status is not expected to change moving into spring, however, additional updates will be released as available.

Author’s Note: On February 20, 2013, the CDC reported that Sanofi Pasteur’s rabies vaccine shortage is due to “increased demand and manufacturing delay.”

Georgia 03/08/13 Richmond County: Health officials have confirmed a fox that attacked a man on February 27^th in the vicinity of Mike Padgett Highway and Goshen Industrial Boulevard in Augusta has tested positive for rabies. When it later tried to attack a second person, it was put down. – See http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2013/mar/08/rabid-fox-attacks-man-south-augusta-ar-5759477/

Missouri 03/05/13 Wayne County: A horse stabled in the vicinity of Williamsville that began to deteriorate and became aggressive before dying has tested positive for rabies. This is the fourth confirmed case of animal rabies in the state this year (including three skunks in Douglas, Howell, and Ste. Genevieve counties) prompting officials to issue a Rabies Alert. – See http://www.semissourian.com/story/1946780.html

Ohio 03/08/13 Medina County: A bat found alive Wednesday in the kitchen sink of an East Liberty Street home in the City of Medina has tested positive for rabies. – See http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/2013/03/08/health-department-bat-found-in-medina-home-tests-positive-for-rabies/

Texas 03/08/13 Somervell County: For the second time in two weeks a skunk found in the Rainbow area has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.yourglenrosetx.com/news/community/article_1974c465-672f-5885-a24d-b71cf51b1e52.html

Texas 03/07/13 Coryell County: Two skunks shot in separate incidents in Gatesville have tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.kwtx.com/ourtown/home/headlines/Gatesville-Two-Skunks-Test-Positive-For-Rabies–195689141.html

West Virginia 03/08/13 Mercer County: A raccoon picked up on Princeton Avenue in Bluefield has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wvnstv.com/story/21557507/first-rabies-case-of-2013-confirmed-in-mercer-county

ALASKA report confirms WOLVES killed 32-year-old jogger Candice Berner last year

Wolves. Courtesy National Park Service.

Alaska 12/06/11 alaska.gov: News Release – Today, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) released a report presenting findings related to the March 8, 2010, wolf attack that killed 32-year-old Candice Berner near the village of Chignik Lake on the Alaska Peninsula. The report summarizes agency response and subsequent investigation. “All lines of evidence are consistent with the conclusion that two or more wolves killed Ms. Berner. The tragic encounter occurred as she jogged down the road less than two miles from the village,” said Lem Butler, principal investigator for ADF&G, and one of four authors of the report.

Candice Berner

ADF&G’s investigation included on-scene evaluation of wolf tracks, interviews of those first to arrive at the scene, collection of wolves from the nearby area, and analyses of DNA and of other forensic evidence. Wolf DNA was recovered from the victim and her clothing. DNA test results provided by the U.S. Geological Survey lab in Anchorage indicated that two to four wolves were most likely involved, excluded other animals, and connected one of the wolves killed by the department to the incident.

The broader investigation indicated Ms. Berner was on the road, likely jogging away from town, while the wolves traveled toward town by moving along the road and openings in the brush. It could not be determined if this was a surprise encounter for both Ms. Brenner and the wolves, but evidence clearly shows a predatory response from the wolves. ADF&G personnel and Alaska State Troopers shot two wolves and contracted trappers later killed six more within 15 miles of the village. The wolves were taken for public safety and for evaluation of biological factors that may have been associated with the attack.

ADF&G veterinarian Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen performed necropsies and collected samples for disease testing and DNA analyses on each of the eight wolves taken. One wolf was clearly implicated in the attack through DNA evidence. It was in apparent good health with very large fat reserves. All but two wolves were in good to excellent condition. There was no DNA evidence linking the two wolves in poor condition to the attack. Investigators found no evidence in any of the wolves of contributing factors to the attack such as rabies, disease, defense of food, or habituation to human food.

Chignik Lake

“We hope that the report’s findings help bring closure to Ms. Berner’s family, to the community of Chignik Lake and others affected by this sad incident.” said Butler. He also pointed out that wolf attacks on humans are rare and people should not be unnecessarily fearful. People should always maintain a safe distance and healthy respect when encountering wolves or other wild animals. Bear and moose encounters pose more risk to travelers in Alaska than wolves, but all wild animals can be unpredictable. Bob Berner, Candice Berner’s father, said he hopes that people will learn from his daughter’s death through an increased awareness of the potential danger and by taking steps to increase safety. “People should be mindful of the potential harm that wolves and other wild animals are capable of inflicting,” he said.

The report, “Findings Related to the March 2010 Fatal Wolf Attack Near Chignik Lake, Alaska” is available at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/news/pdfs/wolfattackfatality.pdf (PDF 967 kB) . Additional information on safety in wolf country is available at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=livewith.wolves.