6-year-old in NEW JERSEY attacked by RACCOON ~ RABID BOBCAT shot in VERMONT ~ More RABIES reports from NJ, & NC ~ TRAVEL WARNINGS: 16 die of NOVEL CORONAVIRUS in ARABIAN PENINSULA and UNITED KINGDOM.

Raccoon. Photo by Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

New Jersey 05/01/13 patch.com: by Linda Sadlouskos – A mother who said her 6-year-old daughter was subjected to an unprovoked and “vicious” attack by an aggressive raccoon in her Bernardsville backyard on Monday said she wants to warn the public about what happened. The animal was never located, despite searches by borough police and animal control officers. The girl was treated immediately afterward at Morristown Medical Center, and now is receiving the multi-step rabies vaccine, said her mother, Heather MacDonald of Somerset Avenue. St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, Bernardsville’s contracted animal control service, had conducted searches in the area looking for the raccoon, but had been unable to find the animal, a spokeswoman for St. Hubert’s said on Wednesday afternoon. Kim Saunders, vice president of operations and communications for St. Hubert’s, said that rabies can’t be proven unless the animal is located and tested. But she said that the fact that the raccoon was out during the daytime, and also so aggressive, would lead to the conclusion that it was sick in some way prior to the reported attack.

MacDonald said her daughter, who is almost 7, was playing outdoors digging in the dirt at about 5:30 p.m. Monday, about 20 feet from the back door. MacDonald said her back door was open, and she was cooking dinner, when all of a sudden she heard the girl screaming. “She was screaming, and when I ran out, it [the raccoon] was on top of her,” MacDonald said. “She was trying to kick it off,” said MacDonald, who said the animal had bitten the girl’s leg. “I kicked it,” said MacDonald, who said she managed to get the raccoon off the girl. “I picked her up, and it came running after us.” She said the two finally entered the house, and the raccoon did not get in. MacDonald, who said she still is in shock, described the attack as both “weird” as well as disturbing. “It was a vicious, vicious attack,” she said. – For complete article see http://bernardsville-bedminster.patch.com/articles/raccoon-attacks-child-in-bernardsville-backyard

Bobcat:

Bobcat. Photo by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Vermont 05/01/13 commonsnews.org: by Allison Teague – State Veterinarian Robert Johnson has confirmed that a bobcat resident Christopher Coburn shot on Valley Cemetery Road (in the Town of Athens, Windham County) last week tested positive for rabies. Athens Town Health Officer Lisa Dufresne said the location borders approximately eight miles of trail near the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association’s Hemlock Trail. She said she was “concerned” after getting the call about a bobcat that had been under Coburn’s deck and “behaving strangely all night long.” According to Game Warden Greg Eckert, this is only the second bobcat ever to have tested positive for rabies in Vermont. He could not say when or where the first was. Eckert said Coburn told him two of his dogs had been trying to get at the bobcat. “Normally bobcats don’t get caught by dogs, at least healthy bobcats don’t. Dogs will come out the worse for wear. It’s a 30-pound cat,” Eckert said. “He [Coburn] shot it and called dispatch, who called me. I said, that doesn’t sound like a normal-sounding bobcat,” Eckert said. – For complete article see http://www.commonsnews.org/site/site05/story.php?articleno=7447&page=1#.UYMkJ8pquD5

Rabies:

New Jersey 05/01/13 Middlesex County: A fox found in the vicinity of Matawan Road and Squire Street in East Brunswick has tested positive for rabies. – See http://njtoday.net/2013/05/01/fox-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-east-brunswick/

North Carolina 05/01/13 Alamance County: A bat found in the bedroom of a home on George Bason Road in Graham on April 30^th has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/top-news/fourth-rabies-case-recorded-in-county-1.136037

Travel Warnings:

Global 05/02/13 cdc.gov: News Release – As of May 2013, a total of 24 people in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United Arab Emirates were confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. Sixteen of these 24 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. For more information, see CDC’s novel coronavirus update.

Novel Coronavirus-1

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.

RABID BOBCAT attacks WOMAN in ARIZONA ~ BROWN BEAR injures MAN in ALASKA ~ RABIES reports from AR, CO, FL, NM, & NC.

Bobcat. Photo by Terry Spivey of USDA Forest Service.

Arizona 04/29/13 wmicentral.com: Following a bobcat attack on a young woman in a neighborhood behind the Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse in Show Low, Arizona Game and Fish Department (department) officials are advising area residents to be alert for any wild animal or pet that appears to behave oddly, indicating the potential presence of rabies. A Navajo County deputy sheriff responded to the attack call Sunday evening, April 28. At the same time, another deputy sheriff nearby observed a bobcat behaving in an aggressive, abnormal manner and destroyed it. The carcass was collected and shipped to the Arizona State Health Laboratory for necropsy and rabies testing. The woman was attacked about 10:30 p.m., receiving several bites and scratches on her thigh. She was treated at Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center and subsequently released, receiving rabies vaccines and anti-rabies serum as a precaution, pending outcome of the tests.

Update 04/30/13: It has been confirmed that the bobcat that attacked a young woman on Sunday behind Lowe’s in Show Low has tested positive for rabies. The woman who was attacked was treated for rabies after the incident and has been notified of the positive test. – See http://www.wmicentral.com/news/latest_news/bobcat-attacks-woman-behind-lowe-s-rabies-confirmed/article_4c083702-b10a-11e2-82b9-0019bb2963f4.html

Bear Attack:

Brown bear. Photo by State of Idaho.

Alaska 04/29/13 peninsulaclarion.com: by Kaylee Osowski – A brown bear attacked a 48-year-old, well-known area biologist and birder while he was watching birds at the Kasilof River beach on Sunday afternoon. Alaska State Troopers said the bear first attacked a vehicle and a telephone pole before attacking Toby Burke, a biological technician at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Burke did not do anything to provoke the bear and suffered bruising on his arm from the brief attack, said Megan Peters, Alaska State Troopers spokesperson. Emergency medical technicians examined Burke’s arm and said he was fine. Burke declined further medical attention, Peters said.

“The man was very lucky,” Peters said. “… He was able to walk away and go home.” Multiple residents called troopers about the oddly-behaving bear on the beach. One trooper and two Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded. Troopers shot and killed the bear after it charged them from beyond the tree line where they were patrolling and where the bear had last been seen. The bear was originally thought to be 2 to 3 years old because of its small size, but its teeth were found to be “really worn down” revealing the bear was probably about 10 years old, Peters said. “The way it was acting leads us to believe that it was probably just really hungry and trying to find something to eat,” Peters said. To avoid bear attacks Peters said people should store food properly, look for signs of bear activity, make noise, and have bear spray at the ready and know how to use it.

Rabies:

Arkansas 04/29/13 Saline and Pulaski counties: Health officials have issued a Rabies Alert for the central part of the state after two skunks that were found in Saline County and three in the northwestern part of Pulaski County tested positive for rabies. –See http://www.dailyrecord.us/Story.aspx?id=17266&date=4%2F29%2F2013

Colorado 04/29/13 Logan County: Health officials have confirmed that a horse stabled in the county has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.thehorse.com/articles/31781/rabies-eia-confirmed-in-colorado-horses

Florida 04/30/13 Hamilton County: Health officials have issued a Rabies Alert for the area in and around Jennings after a raccoon tested positive for the virus on April 26^th. – See http://suwanneedemocrat.com/jasper/x730864520/Rabies-alert-issued-for-Hamilton-County

New Mexico 04/27/13 Socorro County: A fox that attacked a young unvaccinated dog at a home about a mile south of Magdalena on march 23^rd has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.mountainmailnews.com/?p=2461

North Carolina 04/30/13 Wake County: An unvaccinated dog has been euthanized after exposure to a fox that has tested positive for rabies. The incident occurred near a little league park in West Raleigh. – See http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9085744

About 20 WILD TURKEYS found in MAINE with LPD VIRUS ~ RABIES reports from DC, GA, NJx2, NC, OK, PA, & TXx3.

Eastern Wild Turkey. Photo courtesy U.S. Army.

Maine 04/24/13 maine.gov/ifw: News Release – LPDV or lymphoproliferative disease virus causes minor to extreme lesions on a turkey’s head and legs. It is thought to spread between turkeys by direct skin contact or through mosquito bites. Some turkeys can fend off minor infections and survive while others can develop extreme lesions that inhibit their sight and ability to eat, which ultimately leads to death. The disease poses no risk to human health. However, like all infections, caution is advised while handling a bird with LPDV. There is a potential for secondary bacterial infections if birds are handled improperly. Thoroughly cooking the meat to an internal temperature of a minimum of 165°F is also advised. Although wild turkeys cannot pass on this virus to humans, if you shoot a bird that looks like the above picture and you do not want to eat it, do NOT register it and please contact a Wildlife Biologist or call the Department of Public Safety in Augusta at (800) 452-4664 to be connected with a Game Warden. After examining the bird, the Department staff member will determine your eligibility to harvest another turkey. Little is known about the origin of LPDV in the United States.

Turkey infected with LPDV. Photo courtesy Maine IFW Dept.

LPDV was first detected in domestic turkeys in Europe. The first confirmed case in the United Sates was in wild turkeys in Georgia in 2009. MDIFW confirmed Maine’s first case of LPDV in April 2012. Since that time, we have confirmed several cases throughout the state. Currently, known cases occur virtually wherever wild turkeys are present. We speculate that a combination of a very good turkey production year in 2011 and the mild winter of 2011-2012 may have contributed to the apparent increase in occurrence recently. – See http://www.maine.gov/ifw/news_events/pressreleases/index.htm

Rabies:

District of Columbia 04/26/13 USN/USAF Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling: The Air Force 579^th Medical Group has issued a Rabies Alert after an unusually aggressive groundhog captured on the base April 21^st tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.dvidshub.net/news/105945/air-force-medical-group-issues-rabies-alert-dc-joint-base#.UXtTt8okQtV

Georgia 04/25/13 Columbia County: Health officials have confirmed that a raccoon found in the vicinity of Old Blythe Road in Harlem has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wjbf.com/story/22076428/positive-rabies-test-confirmed-in-columbia-county

New Jersey 04/24/13 Salem County: A raccoon discovered in a barn by a Pittsgrove Township homeowner has tested positive for rabies. Health officials also found a cat in Lower Alloways Creek that tested positive for the virus. – See http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2013/04/rabid_raccoon_discovered_in_pi.html

New Jersey 04/24/13 Middlesex County: A skunk found in the vicinity of Route 18 South and West Prospect Street in East Brunswick has tested positive for rabies. A day earlier, a raccoon found in South Plainfield tested positive for the virus. – See http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20130424/NJNEWS/304240055/Rabid-skunk-found-East-Brunswick?nclick_check=1

North Carolina 04/25/13 Orange County: A 2-month-old goat that died Monday on a small family farm in the northern part of the county has tested positive for rabies. Several family members and a neighbor who had been bottle-feeding the goat for several weeks are being treated for exposure to the virus. Six other goats on the farm have been quarantined. – See http://www.wral.com/goat-in-orange-county-tests-positive-for-rabies/12380917/

Oklahoma 04/25/13 Cleveland County: A skunk that attacked two 6-week-old puppies on the back porch of their owners home in Norman has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKDx_Hq2aRo

Pennsylvania 04/25/13 Allegheny County: Two raccoons that fought with dogs in separate incidents have tested positive for rabies. One raccoon fought with a dog on Park Lane in Glen Osborne, and another fought with two dogs on Redgate Road in Aleppo. All the dogs were vaccinated but are being quarantined as a precaution. – See http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-north/health-department-confirms-rabies-in-2-raccoons-in-sewickley-area-685018/

Texas 04/24/13 Travis and Williamson counties: A bat found on the campus of the Henry Middle School in Cedar Park, and touched by several students, has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-education/dead-bat-found-at-middle-school-tested-positive-fo/nXXGR/

Texas 04/25/13 Denton County: A skunk that fought with three dogs in the Saddlebrooke Addition in the southeast portion of Krum has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20130425-krum-plans-vaccination-clinic-after-report-of-rabid-skunk.ece

Texas 04/26/13 Taylor and Jones counties: A skunk captured in the Beltway South area in the far south of the City of Abilene has tested positive for rabies. This is the second skunk testing positive for the virus this month. – See http://www.reporternews.com/news/2013/apr/26/rabid-skunk-second-this-month-confirmed-in/

WORLD MALARIA DAY ~ OKLAHOMAN dies of HANTAVIRUS ~ RABIES reports from AK, FL, MD, & NC.

 

World Malaria Day is commemorated on April 25, the date in 2000 when 44 African leaders met in Abuja, Nigeria, and committed their countries to cutting malaria-related deaths. In the last decade, increased funding and political commitment have led to a scale-up of effective malaria prevention and control interventions, saving approximately 1.1 million lives globally and decreasing malaria mortality by nearly 25% globally and 33% in sub-Saharan Africa . Despite these successes, an estimated 660,000 malaria-related deaths occurred worldwide in 2010 . For 2013, the theme of World Malaria Day is “Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria,” which serves as a reminder of the ultimate goal. – Reference: World Health Organization. World malaria report 2012. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2012. Available at http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/world_malaria_report_2012

Hantavirus:

Deer mouse. Courtesy USDA.

Oklahoma 04/24/13 sfgate.com: An Oklahoma Panhandle resident has died due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, according to the State Department of Health. The department said in a news release that the Texas County man’s death is the first hantavirus-related death in Oklahoma since 2001 and the third such death in the state since 1993, when hantavirus was first recognized in

Texas County

the U.S. Health department officials did not release the man’s age or when he died. Hantavirus is carried by wild rodents, particularly by deer mice in Oklahoma. – See http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Okla-health-dept-reports-death-due-to-hantavirus-4460363.php

Rabies:

Alaska 04/23/13 Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area: A rabid wolf killed near Chandalar Lakes and transported to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough has state health and wildlife officials warning Alaskans to be on the lookout for other animals that may be infected. The rabid wolf was the first infected animal to be documented around Chandalar Lakes, an area south of the Brooks Range about 185 miles north of Fairbanks. The trapper discarded the skinned, beheaded carcass of the sick wolf in a forested area near Palmer and state wildlife officials warned that contact by other animals could spread the disease. Department of Fish and Game spokeswoman Cathie Harms said its presence in the Mat-Su is not grounds for panic. After tests on the head confirmed rabies, the rest of the carcass was retrieved. The rabies virus is found in an infected animal’s nervous system, and nervous system tissue on the carcass such as the spinal cord had not been scavenged. “The chances for transmittal are low, but they exist,” Harms said by phone from Fairbanks. – For complete article see http://www.necn.com/04/23/13/Rabid-Alaska-wolf-prompts-health-warning/landing_nation.html?&apID=f0c0de27a0ad4bbeaa12729602293783

Florida 04/23/13 Jackson County: A raccoon killed by a dog south of Marianna has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.jcfloridan.com/news/article_7bd2207c-ac57-11e2-8c39-0019bb30f31a.html

Maryland 04/23/13 Caroline County: A feral cat captured late last month in the 3000 block of Houston Branch Road in Federalsburg has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/article_cd489bae-ac1e-11e2-9625-001a4bcf887a.html

North Carolina 04/22/13 Catawba County: A raccoon killed by two unvaccinated dogs in the Conover area has tested positive for rabies. Both dogs have been euthanized. – See http://www.wbtv.com/story/22045125/confirmed-case-of-rabies-reported-in-catawba-county

MONTANA college student attacked by GRIZZLY ~ NEW MEXICAN diagnosed with state’s first case of HANTAVIRUS this year ~ MOUNTAIN LION alert issued by CALIFORNIA authorities ~ TICKS at CALIFORNIA and WASHINGTON test positive for LYME DISEASE ~ MOSQUITO in TEXAS tests positive for WEST NILE VIRUS ~ RABIES reports from CA, FL, GA, KS, MD, NC, & TN.

Grizzly. Photo by Jean-Pierre Lavoie. Wikimedia Commons.

Montana 04/20/13 missoulian.com: by Vince Devlin – A Salish Kootenai College student was attacked and mauled by a grizzly bear less than a mile from the campus Friday morning. Less than three hours later, the college cancelled classes and asked students to leave campus immediately after a bear was seen in the vicinity of campus dormitories. The mauling victim, a male, was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in Ronan and transferred to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Stacy Courville, a wildlife biologist with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, said the student was hiking alone in a brushy area along Mud Creek. Lake County Undersheriff Dan Yonkin said the man’s injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Karen Sargeant said he suffered head and arm injuries, but his condition was unknown. The student’s name was not disclosed.

Salish Kootenai College is in Pablo, Lake County, MT.

Reports on when the attack occurred varied from 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Yonkin said the victim was coherent and talking after the attack, and told authorities he believed the bear was a grizzly. CSKT authorities later confirmed it was a grizzly sow with two yearling cubs. “He was unaware a bear was nearby until she started charging,” Yonkin said. “She was most likely in defensive mode because of the cubs.”  – For complete article see http://missoulian.com/news/local/salish-kootenai-college-student-mauled-by-grizzly-bear/article_aa63db10-a919-11e2-882f-001a4bcf887a.html

Hantavirus:

Deer mouse. Common carrier of Hantavirus.

New Mexico 04/19/13 health.state.nm.us: News Release – The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) is announcing today that a 45-year-old woman from McKinley County has laboratory confirmed Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome  (HPS). This is the first case of Hantavirus in New Mexico this year. The patient has been hospitalized at University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, where she was last listed as being insatisfactory condition.

McKinley County

An environmental investigation will be conducted at the home of the patient to try and help reduce the risk to others. – For complete release with recommended protective measures see http://www.health.state.nm.us/CommunicationsOffice/2013%20News%20Releases/NMDOH-PressRelease-20130419-HumanHantavirus-EN.pdf

Mountain Lion Sightings:

California 04/20/13 El Dorado County: An alert has been issued in South Lake Tahoe after a mountain lion was sighted this week in a meadow area between Black Bart Avenue and Al Tahoe Boulevard. – For details see http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/20/5357412/mountain-lion-sightings-in-south.html

Lyme Disease:

Female Western Black-legged Tick. Courtesy CDC.

California 04/19/13 nps.gov: News Release – Officials from Los Angeles County and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) are advising visitors that ticks from Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills recently tested positive for Lyme disease. Three separate pools of western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus) found along the Coyote Trail were found to be positive. . . “We’re finding that about 1 or 2 percent of western black-legged ticks in the area carry the Lyme disease bacteria, so it’s important for us to identify where the problem is occurring,” said Saviskas. “This particular tick is most active from late November through May.” More information is available at www.lawestvector.org or by calling 310-915-7370. – For complete release see http://www.nps.gov/samo/parknews/lyme-disease-at-paramount.htm

Washington 04/19/13 konp.com: Samples of ticks in Clallam County showed a couple had the bacteria that could lead to Lyme disease. That prompted health officials to issue a warning to local health providers to be on the lookout. But Clallam County health officer Dr. Tom Locke says the results don’t mean you should stop going outside. He tells KONP, it’s uncertain of this is the start of an acute outbreak, or just a normal level of the bacteria. He says typically they don’t change protocol for tick management until tests show at least 20 percent of the tick population has the bacteria. – For complete article see http://www.konp.com/local/8640

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Texas 04/19/13 Dallas County: Officials in Highland Park are spraying the southwest part of town after a mosquito trapped in the area tested positive for WNV. – See http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/04/19/mosquito-tests-positive-for-west-nile-virus-in-highland-park/

Rabies:

California 04/19/13 Tulare County: County health officials are asking for help contacting a Tulare woman who turned in a bat earlier this month. Health officials said today the bat tested positive for rabies, prompting officials to seek out help locating the woman and her family members. “This woman and her family are at risk for contracting rabies,” Health officials said in a released statement. Anyone with information about the woman is encouraged to call Tulare County Communicable Disease Control Office at 685-5720, or 471-7092 after regular business hours.

Florida 04/19/13 Palm Beach County: A raccoon captured by a private trapper on the FAU North Campus in Jupiter on Wednesday has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/sfl-rabid-raccoon-captured-at-fau-campus-in-jupiter-20130419,0,5207729.story

Georgia 04/19/13 Forsyth County: A fox that was killed by two dogs on April 16^th in Cumming has tested positive for rabies. The encounter took place in the vicinity of Hickory Trail located off Chamblee Gap Road. – See http://johnscreek.patch.com/articles/alpharetta-woman-charged-with-murder-rabies-reported-in-forsyth

Kansas 04/20/13 Russell County: A domestic animal within the City of Russell has tested positive for rabies. With the difference between “Furious” and “Paralytic” rabies explained. – See http://www.krsl.com/local-news/2081-animal-in-russell-tests-positive-for-rabies-virus

Maryland 04/18/13 Baltimore County: Health officials have confirmed that a grey, tan, and white feral cat from a colony living in the vicinity of Rhonda Court in Milford Mill has died of rabies. Anyone exposed to a stray cat of that description in that area between March 28 and April 12 should immediately seek medical advice. – See http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/feral-cat-has-rabies-baltimore-county-to-trap-others-in-colony/2013/04/18/55404906-a889-11e2-9e1c-bb0fb0c2edd9_story.html

North Carolina 04/20/13 Forsyth County: Officials are concerned about a raccoon that attacked a dog on April 15^th in the 500 block of Knollwood Street in the Ardmore community of Winston-Salem. The raccoon was not captured and could be infected with rabies. – See http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/article_022b8490-a93f-11e2-aa6b-0019bb30f31a.html

Horse with rabies. Not the horse mentioned in the article.

Tennessee 04/18/13 Wilson County: A horse stabled in the county has tested positive for rabies. Two other Wilson County animal rabies cases this year involved a dog and a skunk.  – See http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130418/NEWS07/304180088/Horse-tests-positive-rabies-Wilson-County?nclick_check=1

9 people exposed to RABID HORSE in MARYLAND ~ 3 COWS, 3 FOXES, and 2 SHEEP all believed killed by RABIES in VIRGINIA ~ RABIES reports from AL, CA, CT, MD, NY, NC, TX, & VA ~ TRAVEL WARNINGS: AVIAN FLU (H7N9) situation in CHINA being carefully watched by CDC & WHO.

Photo: PD – Wikimedia Commons. Not related to rabid horse article.

Maryland 04/17/13 Garrett County: A horse stabled in the Oakland area that appeared to be ill on April 7^th has tested positive for rabies. At least nine people are receiving post-exposure treatment for the virus, and in addition all cats, dogs, and other horses on the property have been quarantined for observation. – See http://times-news.com/local/x1915235935/Horse-tests-positive-for-rabies-virus-in-Garrett-County

Virginia 04/17/13 Highland County: Two cows and two foxes tested positive for rabies during March, and another cow, another fox, and two sheep died with clinical symptoms of the virus but were not tested. – See http://www.therecorderonline.com/news/2013-04-18/Early_Files/Reports_show_two_cows_died_from_rabies_here.html

Other Rabies Reports:

Alabama 04/17/13 Shelby County: State officials have issued a Rabies Alert after finding three positive cases of rabies in the raccoon population in the vicinity of Columbiana. The general focus is on a two-mile radius area centering on the Beeswax Creek boat launch. – See http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/04/shelby_county_rabies_warning_e.html

California 04/17/13 San Bernadino County: A dead bat found under a tree at Community Park located near the intersection of Church Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Redlands has tested positive for rabies. Anyone who may have come in contact with the bat should seek immediate medical advice. – See http://redlands.patch.com/articles/warning-issued-after-bat-found-at-redlands-park-tests-positive-for-rabies

Connecticut 04/16/13 New London County: A light gray and white striped pregnant cat that bit or scratched three people on Saturday in the vicinity of Meech and Shore avenues near the Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton has tested positive for rabies. All three of the victims are being treated for exposure to the virus. Anyone who believes they might have been exposed to the cat should seek immediate medical advice. – See http://www.theday.com/article/20130416/NWS01/130419700/1047

Maryland 04/15/13 Frederick County: A feral cat that attacked a resident of Ijamsville in the vicinity of Fingerboard and Price Distillery roads on April 11^th has tested positive for rabies. Anyone bitten, scratched, or exposed in any way to a large, brown tabby cat in that area should seek immediate medical attention. – See http://www.gazette.net/article/20130415/NEWS/130419380/1016/stray-cat-in-ijamsville-tests-positive-for-rabies&template=gazette

New York 04/16/13 Clinton County: A gray fox that bit a resident of Au Sable on April 10^th has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.fox44abc22yourvoice.com/story/21991604/4th-animal-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-clinton-county-ny

North Carolina 04/17/13 Caldwell County: A skunk that attacked two of three unvaccinated dogs owned by a resident on Red Shoals Place in the city of Lenoir’s Morris Creek community has tested positive for rabies. The three dogs were euthanized. – See http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/04/16/3985684/1st-rabies-case-of-year-in-caldwell.html

Texas 04/15/13 Galveston and Harris counties: A bat found at Friendswood High School in Friendswood on Wednesday has tested positive for rabies. No human exposure was reported. This is the second rabid bat found at the school within the past two weeks. – See http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=9066236

Virginia 04/16/13 Gloucester County: A dead raccoon found by a homeowner in his dog pen off of Robins Neck Road in the Naxera area has tested positive for rabies. The two dogs in the pen were vaccinated. – See http://www.dailypress.com/news/gloucester-county/dp-nws-gloucester-rabies-0416-20130416,0,3750344.story

Travel Warnings:

China 04/15/13 cdc.gov: LEVEL 1 WATCH: On April 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that influenza A (H7N9), a type of flu usually seen in birds, has been identified in a number of people in China. Cases have been confirmed in the following provinces and municipalities: Anhui, Beijing, Henan, Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Zhejiang. This is the first time this virus has been seen in people. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Infection with the new virus has resulted in severe respiratory illness and, in some cases, death. Chinese health authorities are conducting investigations to learn the source of the infections with this virus and to find other cases. CDC is following this situation closely and coordinating with domestic and international partners in a number of areas. More information will be posted as it becomes available. There is no recommendation against travel to China at this time.

Author’s Note: So far, most cases have occurred in eastern China, but a few cases have now been identified in Henan Province and Beijing, both further north. As of April 17^th, officials have confirmed 82 cases including 17 deaths.

MOUNTAIN LIONS in ARIZONA and CALIFORNIA moving to the suburbs ~ TICKS in CALIFORNIA’s Malibu Creek State Park carrying LYME DISEASE ~ MOSQUITOES in Dallas County, TEXAS, test positive for WEST NILE VIRUS ~ RABIES reports from AR, CO, FL, NJ, NM, OH, TXx2, & VA.

 

Mountain lion. Photo by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Arizona 04/10/13 Yavapai County: Local, county, and state officials herded two mountain lions away from a residential area after the lions were reported pacing a short distance from a home on Talia Place in Chino Valley, and from livestock in the area. – See http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=117974

California 04/11/13 Los Angeles County: A mountain lion was tranquilized and removed from the backyard of a home in the foothills of Glendale on Thursday. It was first spotted when it jumped over a fence in an area north of Foothill Boulevard and east of New York Avenue. – See http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/04/11/mountain-lion-reportedly-seen-in-glendale-backyard/

Lyme Disease:

Tick stages. CDC.

California 04/13/13 malibutimes.com: by Melissa Caskey – County and National Park Service officials are advising visitors to check their clothing and exposed skin for tiny creatures after a tick species in Malibu Creek State Park tested positive for Lyme disease. The western black-legged ticks also tested positive for the infectious disease in Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills and Tapia Park, officials said. “This is a good reminder for visitors to stick to the trail and avoid the vegetated areas where ticks like to hang out,” said Evan Jones, a chief ranger for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. “Though Lyme disease can be very serious, simply following a few basic steps can greatly minimize exposure.” – For complete article see http://www.malibutimes.com/news/article_0662db72-a3df-11e2-aba1-001a4bcf887a.html

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Texas 04/11/13 Dallas County: Officials in the city of Richardson have confirmed that mosquitoes caught in four traps scattered throughout the county have tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/richardson-lake-highlands/headlines/20130411-west-nile-virus-makes-early-appearance.ece

Rabies:

Arkansas 04/12/13 Pulaski County: Three skunks found near Maumelle have all tested positive for rabies. So far this year, 58 skunks have tested positive for the virus statewide. – See http://www.katv.com/story/21952763/three-rabid-skunks-reported-in-pulaski-county

Colorado 04/11/13 Bent County: A skunk found just east of McClave on US 50 has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/article/20130411/NEWS/130419986/-1/sports

Florida 04/12/13 Palm Beach and Martin counties: A raccoon killed by a vaccinated dog and found floating in a pond in far western Lantana, near Homeland, and another raccoon that fought with a vaccinated dog in the vicinity of Bay Colony Drive in Stuart, both tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/breaking-news/palm-beach-martin-health-officials-find-new-rabies/nXLDN/

New Jersey 04/11/13 Middlesex County: A skunk killed by a vaccinated dog in the area of Delafield and Courtland street in New Brunswick has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2013/04/skunk_killed_by_dog_is_middles.html

New Mexico 04/13/13 Eddy County: A skunk that fought with two vaccinated dogs in the vicinity of the 1400 block of North Guadalupe Street in Carlsbad on Thursday has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.currentargus.com/ci_23015950/skunk-rabies-reported-carlsbad

Ohio 04/12/13 Mahoning County: A raccoon found in the vicinity of Colonial Drive in Canfield has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/apr/12/a-raccoon-found-in-canfield-tested-posit/?nw

Texas 04/12/13 McLennan County: A skunk that attacked a family’s dog on April 5^th in Hallsburg has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.kwtx.com/ourtown/home/headlines/Hallsburg–Rabid-Skunk-Attacks-Family-Dog-202357381.html

Texas 04/11/13 Tarrant County: A skunk found in the vicinity of Laurel Lane in Bedford has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_82482.shtml

Virginia 04/10/13 Stafford County: A sick or injured feral cat that scratched an animal control officer after being reported on April 3^rd by a Bruce Street resident in the Stowe-of-Amyclae subdivision in North Stafford has tested positive for rabies. This is the second report of a rabid cat in the county in the last two weeks. – See http://potomaclocal.com/2013/04/10/second-rabid-cat-found-officer-scratched/