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.

Lone WOLF OR-7 at last report still in CALIFORNIA ~ WASHINGTON to kill pack of GRAY WOLVES ~ GEESE may have key to treating diseases from MALARIA to WEST NILE VIRUS ~ RABIES reports from FL, & MT ~ CDC REPORTS: ZOONOTIC DISEASE summary for week ending September 15, 2012.

Gray wolf. Courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Follow-Up Report:

California 09/22/12 redbluffdailynews.com: by Julie Zeeb – The famous Oregonian that waltzed into California in December 2011 and has been border-hoping ever since is back in Tehama County. The gray wolf, known as OR-7, has mostly been in California the last few months, primarily in Plumas County, according to a California Department of Fish and Game blog dedicated to his comings and goings. The three-year-old wolf was last in Tehama County on July 31 and except for one day spent in Butte County has been in various areas of Plumas County, moving from the western area of the county into Tehama County on Sept. 19*. OR-7 is the first and only wolf to have been sighted in California since 1924, first visiting Tehama County for a few days on July 21.

*Author’s Note: According to the latest California Department of Fish & Game satellite reading, OR-7 was in eastern Tehama County on September 20, 2012.

Washington 09/21/12 seattletimes.com: by Shannon Dininny – Washington officials announced plans Friday to kill a pack of at least eight gray wolves that have been attacking livestock in the state’s northeast corner. The move is likely to anger some conservation groups and deal a setback to wolf recovery efforts, though state officials said the step was necessary for sustainable, long-term wolf recovery in the region. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said two teams were in the field Friday to try to kill members of the Wedge Pack, which ranges over a remote area of northern Stevens County. Marksmen would hunt the wolves from the ground, and if those efforts were unsuccessful, they might use helicopters to aid their hunt, Director Phil Anderson said in a statement. The pack is believed to have killed or injured at least 15 cattle from the Diamond M herd that grazes in a large area near the Canadian border, according to the statement. Those attacks have become increasingly more frequent since July, even after the agency killed a non-breeding member of the pack in August, and experts believe the wolves have become dependent on cattle for food. – For complete article see http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019227092_apwawashingtonwolves1stldwritethru.html

Research & Development:

Global 09/21/12 wdtn.com: by Neil Carlson – Sometimes we find the cure for disease where we’d least expect it. In this case, geese could hold the key to treating everything from malaria to rabies. It all started out as a research project to develop a serum to protect people from a pesky outdoor nuisance and the disease it can carry: the West Nile virus. Mosquitoes can pick up the virus from diseased birds and transfer it to humans. Researchers found that geese can rapidly produce the antibodies needed to create serums to treat people for West Nile disease.

But, what’s most amazing is that researchers found geese can be used to produce serums to treat all kinds of diseases. “And we have gone into researching its use of their antibodies for dengue fever, for pandemic influenza, malaria, rabies,” said Richard Glynn, researcher with Avianax. “We’re also working with a group on cancer.” Researchers introduce the dead virus of any given disease to a goose. The goose then quickly produces an antibody to that disease, which is extracted from its egg yolk and used to create the serum to treat that disease.

David Bradley, University of North Dakota

“What’s really exciting about this is the goose provides a platform and produces antibodies rapidly to a variety of viruses — probably toxins, maybe even cancers,” said medical student David Bradley. It’s all amazing, heady stuff that’s being reviewed by the FDA. Who knows? We may all find that one day geese are the answer to many of mankind’s medical problems. All of this still depends on approval for human use by the FDA. However, the government is interested in this research because it could be used to quickly develop vaccines for biological agents spread by terrorists.

Rabies:

Florida 09/21/12 Bay County: A raccoon killed at the intersection of N. 9^th Plaza and Lake Drive in Parker has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wmbb.com/story/19605639/rabid-raccoon-found-in-parker

Montana 09/21/12 Gallatin County: A Bozeman family is looking for the owner of a border collie involved in a biting incident at 4:40 p.m. Wednesday at the East Gallatin Recreational Area. Walker VanHouten, 16, was running with the Bozeman Hawks cross-country team when a border collie bit him on his calf. VanHouten did not realize he should check with the owner for proof of rabies vaccination. VanHouten will have to go through rabies injections if the dog owner does not come forward by Tuesday. The dog owner should contact Kathleen VanHouten at 585-7944 or vanhoutens3@wispwest.net.

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending September 15, 2012:

Published September 21, 2012/ 61(37); ND-508-ND-521

Anaplasmosis . . . 23 . . . Florida, Maine (2), New York (15), North Carolina (4), Rhode Island,

Babesiosis . . . 8 . . . New York (8),

Brucellosis . . . 1 . . . California,     

Ehrlichiosis . . . 14 . . . Maine, North Carolina (11), Tennessee, Virginia,

Giardiasis . . . 218 . . . Alabama (2), Alaska (2), Arkansas (3), California (42), Delaware, Florida (22), Idaho (3), Iowa (3), Maine (8), Maryland (8), Michigan (3), Missouri (3), Montana, Nebraska (6), Nevada, New York (47), Ohio (19), Oregon (6), Pennsylvania (13), South Carolina (5), Vermont (7), Washington (9), Wisconsin, Virginia (3),

HME/HGE Undetermined . . . 1 . . . Indiana,

Lyme Disease . . .  156. . .  Florida (6), Maine, Maryland (18), Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey (2), New York (67), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (38), Rhode Island (3), Texas (2), Vermont (4), Virginia (10), Washington,

Q Fever (Acute) . . . 5 . . . Alaska, Nebraska (2), New York, Ohio, 

Rabies (Animal) . . . 49. . . Maine (2), Nevada (3), New York (16), Ohio, Texas, Utah (2), Vermont (2), Virginia (21), West Virginia,

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Confirmed) . . . 1. . . Ohio,

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Probable) . . . 42 . . . Alabama (3), Florida, Indiana (3), New York, North Carolina (18), Tennessee (9), Virginia (7),

Tularemia . . . 1 . . . Nebraska.

WASHINGTON ranchers say 15 CATTLE killed or injured by WOLVES since mid-July ~ Second PLAGUE victim associated with earlier OREGON case ~ ANNOUNCEMENT: LYME DISEASE conference to be held in PENNSYLVANIA ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from MS, NM, & CANADA: MANITOBA.

Black wolf. Photo by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Washington 09/17/12 spokesman.com: by Rich – Another five calves have been attacked by wolves at the Diamond M Ranch in Eastern Washington, bringing wolf-livestock conflicts to a tally of 15 in a short three-month period. Three calves were found dead last week and two more suffered severe injuries, according to ranch co-owner Bill McIrvin. The two calves that survived were discovered on Sept. 12 and 14. Both had suffered severe bites and torn flesh to their hindquarters. One of the calves had parts of her reproductive and urinary track torn from her body so she can no longer urinate properly.

Oregon range rider protects livestock from wolves – USFWS program. Photo by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.

The Diamond M, located in a portion of Eastern Washington known as the “Wedge”, has been working with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for several months to implement non-lethal methods to prevent damage to their cattle herd. Abiding with agency recommendations, the Diamond M waited to turn their calves out on summer range until they were 200 pounds. The ranch also employed more cowboys to patrol their grazing range. Despite these efforts, attacks to the herd have persisted resulting in a state confirmation of 10 dead and five injured since June.  The McIrvin’s herd records suggest there are likely a total of 40 dead from wolf attacks. – For complete report see http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2012/sep/17/more-dead-cattle-no-dead-wolve-reported-wedge/

Oregon 09/17/12 opposingviews.com: by Denise A. Justin – A woman who tried to help her friend save a cat that was choking on a mouse contracted Bubonic plague from the diseased feline, Portland health officials announced on Friday, September 14 . . . The woman, who wished to remain unidentified, was bitten at the same time as Paul Gaylord, who received national attention this summer when he almost died after contracting the infection (see posts in this blog dated June 13, 2012, and July 19, 2012). The 59-year-old Prineville man was hospitalized in critical condition with Black Plague on June 9 and spent nearly a month in intensive care on life support. “His heart stopped,” said his mother, Almeda Gaylord. “His lung collapsed. They told us he wasn’t going to make it.” On July 11, doctors announced that they would have to sever the top half of Gaylord’s fingers. They’ll also cut off the tips of his toes. Charlie, Gaylord’s cat, most likely was infected by a flea carrying the plague, officials concluded. The Oregon woman who was a “family friend” tried to help Gaylord when Charlie came home one day choking, with a mouse stuck in the back of his mouth. Gaylord tried to pull the mouse out and in the process, Charlie bit him and the woman. When they realized they couldn’t help the cat, Gaylord reportedly borrowed a gun from a neighbor and shot Charlie to stop his suffering, according to oregonlive.com. Public health officials sent the cat’s body to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It confirmed that Charlie had the plague, said Emilio DeBess, state public health veterinarian. – For complete article see http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/animal-rights/oregon-woman-contracts-black-plague-cat

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Lyme Disease Association announce their jointly sponsored 13^th annual national conference, entitled “Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases: Microbial Persistence & Tick-Borne Diseases New Scientific & Clinical Directions.” Designed for health care providers and offering 13.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ to CME registrants, the conference is Sept. 29/30, Hyatt Bellevue, Philadelphia, PA. The public is also invited to register. www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org . Twenty faculty members including two European presenters, are led by conference Course Co-Directors, Brian Fallon, MD, MPH, Director, Columbia Lyme & Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center in New York, well-known for research on neurologic and neuropsychiatric Lyme disease; and Stephen Barthold, DVM, PhD, University of California, Davis, member of the Institute of Medicine and pioneer in the study of Borrelia in the mouse model. The conference presenters will provide their expertise covering a broad range of research and clinical topics. A focus of the meeting is to explore the significance of recent findings in the monkey and mouse model that demonstrate the persistence of Borrelia burdorferi (Bb) infection despite antibiotic treatment. A presentation from the Chief of the Bacterial Diseases Branch of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, will describe recent trends in tick-borne diseases, including information about the newly described phlebovirus (aka Heartland virus) identified in 2 patients after tick exposure in Missouri. – See http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lyme-disease-scientific-conference-latest-findings-in-research–clinical-developments-170020516.html

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Mississippi 09/17/12 msdh.ms.gov: Public health Report – State health officials confirm 29 new human cases of WNV reported in Adams (2), Claiborne (1), Harrison (1), Hinds (5), Humphreys (1), Jackson (1), Jefferson Davis (1), Lamar (1), Lauderdale (1), Madison (5), Perry (1), Rankin (6), Sunflower (1), Warren (1), and Yazoo (1) counties, bringing the state total to 169 cases including 4 deaths. – See http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,93,554.html

New Mexico 09/17/12 San Juan County: Health officials confirm two new human cases of WNV in the county: a woman 32 and another who is 70. There are now 26 human cases statewide including one death. – See http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/7871a05dbf6d4f66a0cb1b5aaa832fcb/NM–West-Nile-San-Juan-County

Canada:

Manitoba 09/16/12 portagedailygraphic.com: by Angela Brown – Health officials confirm the Province has identified 33 human cases of WNV so far this year. As of Sept. 14^th, the Southern Regional Health Authority has reported 15 cases, Winnipeg has had 9, Western 5 and Interlake-Eastern 4. – See http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/2012/09/16/province-reports-more-west-nile-cases-in-region

WASHINGTON wildlife officers will kill more WOLVES to curb LIVESTOCK attacks ~ Five MOUNTAIN LION sighting reports from CALIFORNIA ~ LA CROSSE ENCEPHALITIS report from INDIANA ~ EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS & WEST NILE VIRUS reports from AR, CT, LA, ME, MAx3, NC PA, RI, SD, TXx2, & VA ~ RABIES reports frm CT, NJ, & NC.

Gray wolf. Photo by Cephas. Wikimedia Commons.

Washington 08/17/12 spokesman.com: posted by Rich – Washington Fish and Wildlife officials say they plan to kill more wolves in northern Stevens County to curb a spree of attacks on cattle. After confirming that wolves killed one calf this week and injured another, the agency intends to kill up to three members of the Wedge Pack, Madonna Luers, department spokeswoman said Friday. “Our officers will try to trap and put a radio collar on at least one more wolf in the pack for monitoring,” she said. “Then the intent is to lethally remove up to three more wolves to disrupt the pack and reduce its need to feed so many mouths.” The Wedge Pack roams the Colville National Forest area the Diamond M Ranch leases for grazing between the Columbia and Kettle rivers. Wolf attacks have been confirmed on at least five of the ranch’s animals in the past four weeks, including two calves killed.

A female non-breeding wolf in the pack was killed by department officers on Aug. 7 after wolves had killed a calf and injured two others. The kill was the first by the agency under its wolf management plan adopted in 2011. Although gray wolves in Eastern Washington are protected by state endangered species laws, the plan allows lethal removal in some cases. Remote camera images indicate the Wedge Pack includes at least a breeding pair, a few sub-adults and a few pups, but the exact number of wolves isn’t known, Luers said.

Mountain Lion Sightings:

California 08/17/12 Canyon Lake, Riverside County: Fish & Game officers who reviewed a photo and witness account of a large cat sighted walking across the corner lot on Early Round and Champion said it appeared the animal in the picture taken by resident Kevin Siepker was a mountain lion. – See http://fridayflyer.com/2012/08/17/mountain-lion-spotted-on-early-round-dr

California 08/17/12 Berkeley, Alameda County: Officials at Lawrence Berkeley Lab are warning employees to avoid using isolated stairs and walkways at dusk after a mountain lion with cubs was spotted roaming between lab buildings Friday morning. UC police warned the campus community in July about multiple sightings of a mountain lion with cubs near Gayley Road. – See http://berkeley.patch.com/articles/mountain-lion-warning-at-lbl

California 08/17/12 Woodside, San Mateo County: A mountain lion was seen in the area of the 2200 block of Stockbridge Avenue Thursday night. – See http://redwoodcity.patch.com/articles/mountain-lion-spotted-near-woodside-high

California 08/17/12 Davenport, Santa Cruz County: A mountain lion that was spotted eating a feral cat earlier this month has prompted some neighbors to keep their pets inside at night. About 3 a.m. Aug. 10, the attack woke at least one neighbor on Marine View Avenue. See http://www.mercurynews.com/central-coast/ci_21341024/pet-owners-alert-after-mountain-lion-spotted-eating

California 08/17/12 Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County: A mountain lion described as weighing about 120 pounds was spotted Friday in the 2300 block of Callender Road. – See http://www.ksby.com/news/mountain-lion-spotted-in-arroyo-grande/

La Crosse Encephalitis (LACV):

Indiana 08/17/12 Ripley County:  A positive mosquito sampling for the “treehole mosquito” (Aedes triseriatus) has been identified and one human case of LACV has been confirmed in the county, according to a Health Department news release. – See http://batesvilleheraldtribune.com/local/x946181007/One-Ripley-County-encephalitis-case-confirmed

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) & West Nile Virus (WNV):

Arkansas 08/16/12 sfgate.com: WNV Health Alert – Public health officials confirm that ten human cases of WNV have been identified in the state so far this year and that number is expected to increase. – See http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/West-Nile-rising-in-Ark-Health-Dept-sends-alert-3794105.php

Connecticut 08/17/12 dph.ct.gov: Health Alert – The State Mosquito Management Program today announced that a Stamford resident tested positive for WNV infection. This is the second human case of WNV infection reported in the state this year. – See https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/1393652effcd2d85

Louisiana 08/18/12 sfgate.com: Health Alert – Health officials confirm 24 new human cases of WNV infections have been reported, bringing the total to 92 human cases so far this year, including six WNV-related deaths. The 24 new infections include 10 cases of neuro-invasive disease, with four being reported in Caddo Parish and one each reported from DeSoto, Orleans, Ouachita, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Webster parishes. There were also new cases of non-invasive WNV, the milder form of the virus that causes flu-like symptoms, reported from Avoyelles (1), Bossier (3), Caddo (2), Iberville (1), Ouachita (1), Rapides (2) and St. Tammany (1) parishes. Three new asymptomatic cases, meaning the infected people had the virus but did not feel ill and only discovered the infection when they had blood work done for an unrelated reason such as blood donation, were reported from Caddo, Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge parishes. – See http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/DHH-24-more-West-Nile-virus-infections-3796649.php

Maine 08/17/12 York County: Health Alert – Dr. Stephen Sears, the state epidemiologist, said Friday that a mosquito collection site has tested positive for WNV. Maine has never had a human case of WNV, but the virus is making a comeback nationally. The state is investigating a possible human case of WNV, and another possible human case of EEE. Dr. Sears said one involves a person who may have been infected in another state. – See http://bangordailynews.com/2012/08/17/health/west-nile-virus-found-in-york-county-mosquitoes/

Massachusetts 08/17/12 New Bedford, Bristol County: EEE Alert – State health officials Thursday raised the risk level of contracting EEE to “high” in the city and residents are urged to be vigilant. – See http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120817/NEWS/208170351/1018/OPINION

Massachusetts 08/17/12 Westborough, Worcester County: Health Alert – State officials elevated Westborough’s EEE threat level to high, because mammal-biting, EEE-positive mosquitoes have been found here. Mosquito spraying will be “enhanced” here and in New Bedford, which had its threat level raised to high today as well and for the same reason, the agency said in a press release. – See http://northborough.patch.com/articles/state-raises-neighboring-towns-eee-threat-recommends-residents-curtail-evening-outdoor-plans

Massachusetts 08/18/12 Berkshire County: Positive samples for WNV were taken from Cheshire Road, upper North Street, Fort Hill and West streets as well as West Housatonic Street. Two sites in Pittsfield — Elm Street and West Housatonic Street — tested positive for EEE. Surveillance sites vary each week and are used to detect any local outbreaks of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. “Eastern Equine is a lot more deadly than West Nile,” said Chris Horton, the superintendent for Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project. “There’s a 30 or 40 percent higher mortality rate.”  Two cases of the WNV were also found on South State Street and Route 8A in North Adams. Cases were also found near the Stockbridge Bowl in Stockbridge, and two cases were reported near Route 7 and Ashley Falls in Sheffield. – See http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_21341233/west-nile-eee-found-again-pittsfield

North Carolina 08/17/12 Shackleford Banks, Carteret County: A four-year-old wild horse that died tested positive for EEE. Cape Lookout says this is the first documented case of EEE among the herd of 107 horses, which the National Park Service has been managing since the mid-1980s. – See http://www.witn.com/news/health/headlines/Shackleford-Wild-Horse-Dies-From-Eastern-Equine-Encephalitis-166562106.html

Pennsylvania 08/17/12 Falls Township, Bucks County: A human case of WNV has been confirmed in a woman. This is the eighth human case of the virus identified in the state this year. – See http://warminster.patch.com/articles/bucks-county-woman-diagnosed-with-west-nile

Rhode Island 08/17/12 necn.com: Health Alert – State health officials are warning residents of a heightened risk of mosquito-borne illnesses after recent tests found WNV and EEE. – See http://www.necn.com/08/17/12/RI-warns-of-high-risk-of-mosquito-borne-/landing_nation.html?&apID=6ba26c2acdff446fadacc8d4707f6b9b

South Dakota 08/17/12 doh.sd.gov: News Release – State health officials are reporting 26 new human cases of WNV, bringing the total to 67 this year, including one death. There have also been 22 WNV positive blood donors, six positive horses, one positive bird and 56 positive mosquito pools. So far the virus has been detected in 28 of South Dakota’s 66 counties. – See https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/139359665552437e

Texas 08/17/12 Tarrant County: Just weeks after officials in Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake reported that mosquito samples taken within city limits had tested positive for WNV, all three cities have confirmed human cases. The first confirmed case came in late July when a Southlake resident was admitted to an area hospital. Since then, two more cases have been confirmed in Southlake, two have been confirmed in Grapevine and one was confirmed in Colleyville. – See http://impactnews.com/articles/west-nile-virus-ravages-tarrant-co.

Texas 08/17/12 dshs.state.tx.us: News Release – Health officials announced today there are 552 state-confirmed human cases of WNV in the state so far this year, including 21 related deaths. In addition to aerial spraying efforts in Dallas County, state health officials are urging people to protect themselves by using insect repellent and draining standing water, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. – See https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/139369679cd6f023

Virginia 08/17/12 WNV Health Alert: Officials have confirmed the state’s first two human cases of WNV this year involving one person each in the southwestern and northwestern regions of the state. Both patients are adults. – See http://www.wina.com/Two-West-Nile-Virus-Cases-Reported-In-Virginia/14013234

Rabies:

Connecticut 08/17/12 Stamford, Fairfield County: Two skunks found in the city on July 25^th and August 15^th have tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.connecticutplus.com/cplus/information/news/health/Rabies-confirmed-in-skunks-in-Stamford1768317683.shtml

New Jersey 08/16/12 Cherry Hill, Camden County: Health officials are urging residents to be cautious after a skunk found in the Barclay Farm section tested positive for rabies. Officials said the skunk had come in contact with a resident’s dog on Aug. 8. The dog’s rabies vaccination was current and it has been treated by a veterinarian. – See http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120817/NEWS01/308170027/Skunk-rabies-found-Cherry-Hill

North Carolina 08/17/12 Garner, Wake County: Officials confirmed a case of rabies in a dog on Tuesday. The dog, a 65-pound white Akita with a brindle eye and black muzzle named Susie, was euthanized Tuesday after it was observed to have symptoms of rabies. It was then taken to a state lab, where officials confirmed the dog had rabies. Initially, four people who came in contact with Susie began a 14-day treatment to prevent rabies from developing. Now, three more people have started treatment after reporting that they had significant contact with the dog. Three dogs that came into contact with the rabid dog have been euthanized. Susie roamed an area near the intersection of Big Buck Lane and Bushy Branch Drive in Garner. Wake County Animal Control asks anyone who had significant contact with Susie between Thursday, July 26, and Saturday, August 11, to contact their physician immediately. Significant contact includes being bitten, licked on the face or getting saliva in a wound or mucus membrane. – See http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/08/17/2274766/more-people-more-dogs-exposed.html

MEXICAN GRAY WOLF killing LIVESTOCK in NEW MEXICO will be shot ~ Lone WOLF known as OR-7 prompts CALIFORNIA wildlife officials to consider protection ~ CDC confirms 145 new cases of SWINE FLU in July & August 2012 ~ Second RABBIT with TULAREMIA found in COLORADO ~ MOUNTAIN LION sighting reported in ILLINOIS ~ EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS reports from MAx2 ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from IN, MD, NE, SD, & TXx3 ~ RABIES reports from CA, CO, GA, MAx2, NH, NY, NC, & OH.

Mexican gray wold. Photo by C. Morrison. Wikimedia Commons.

New Mexico 08/10/12 krqe.com: by Susan Montoya Bryan – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed an order Thursday calling for the shooting of a female Mexican gray wolf that was accused of killing too many cows in southwestern New Mexico. This marks the first time since 2007 that the agency was taking the step to kill an endangered wolf due to livestock problems. The order calls for shooting the Fox Mountain Pack’s alpha female. Wolf Recovery Coordinator Sherry Barrett said it was a difficult decision given that the population of endangered wolves in New Mexico and Arizona has been struggling since reintroduction began 14 years ago. “Our goal is to recover the population and to grow this particular population, but we also recognize the need to address these depredations so that we have a successful reintroduction program,” she said. The rancher who lost cattle to the Fox Mountain Pack was compensated for his losses, but Barrett did not know how much he was paid through the government’s reimbursement program. Barrett also declined to release the name of the rancher. . . .

. . . . .. .A subspecies of the gray wolf, the Mexican wolf once roamed parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Mexico. Hunting and government-sponsored extermination campaigns all but wiped out the predator. It was added to the federal endangered species list in 1976, and a captive-breeding program was started. The first batch of wolves was released in May 1998, and at least 58 wolves remain in the wild along the New Mexico-Arizona border. Biologists estimate there are 14 packs among the two states. – For complete article see http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/central/feds-order-lethal-removal-of-wolf

California 08/09/12 oregonlive.com: State scientists say the lone wolf roaming far Northern California should be considered a candidate for listing under the state endangered species act. A report from the Department of Fish and Game called the presence of the gray wolf that crossed the border from Oregon last December an “historic and a scientific certainty.” The report says that other wolves could migrate to form breeding populations.  ”Whether one is for or against listing wolves as threatened or endangered … one must acknowledge the fact that the arrival of wolf OR7 in our state was an historic event,” said Jordan Traverso, deputy director of communications for the department. The report was presented Wednesday to members of the California Fish and Game Commission, which will decide in October whether to accept the recommendation. – For complete article see http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/08/or-7_arrival_in_california_pro.html

National 08/09/12 cdc.gov: CDC Health Advisory – (Excerpt) “(T)here are 145 confirmed cases of influenza infection with H3N2v virus, since the current outbreaks began in July of this year.  This includes one case in Hawaii, one case in Illinois, 113 cases being reported from Indiana, and 30 cases being reported from Ohio.  This is clearly a significant increase since last week’s total, so we thought it would be good to try to put this into context.  Like we reported last week, confirmed cases have had exposure to swine, and most of these infections have occurred in people exhibiting swine, family members of exhibitors, people visiting swine barns at fairs, or people attending fairs where swine are present.  The severity of human illness associated with this virus continues to resemble that of seasonal flu.  Most cases are mild and self-limited and resolve on their own.  Most cases have occurred in children.  CDC has not received any report of deaths associated with H3N2v infection, and there have been two confirmed hospitalizations with H3N2v infection so far.  Both patients have recovered and have been discharged.” Joseph Bresee, M.D., Influenza Division, CDC – For complete transcript see http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2012/t0809_H3N2v.html

Colorado 08/09/12 koaa.com: Public health officials in Pueblo say a second rabbit tested positive for tularemia in Pueblo West. The rabbit was collected from Pueblo West, north of Highway 50 West, on the 400 Block of East Chadwick Drive. – For complete article and symptoms see http://www.koaa.com/news/second-rabbit-with-disease-found-in-pueblo-west/

Mountain Lion Sightings:

Illinois 08/10/12 chicagoist.com: by Chuck Sudo – Police in Glencoe have asked residents to be on alert for a cougar or cougars in the North Shore suburb after a July 26 sighting. It was the latest in a series of reported mountain lion sightings in the north suburbs in recent months. Although there hasn’t been any photographic evidence of the felines, Glencoe Public Safety Director Michael Volling is taking a “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” approach. The latest sighting occurred July 26 near the intersection of Dell Place and Lakeside Terrace. – See http://chicagoist.com/2012/08/10/north_shore_cougar_sighting_deemed.php

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE):

Massachusetts 08/08/12 Middlesex County: Public health officials have confirmed that a man in his 60s from the Metrowest region has been diagnosed with EEE. He became ill after returning from a trip to the Mid-Atlantic region. – See http://www.necn.com/08/08/12/Mass-man-diagnosed-with-Eastern-Equine-E/landing.html?blockID=753683&feedID=4753

Massachusetts 08/10/12 Reading, Middlesex County: Human-biting mosquitoes infected with EEE have been detected in Reading — the first time this season that EEE-carrying insects that can spread the often-fatal disease to people have been found outside of Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts, which is traditionally a hotbed for the virus. – See http://www.boston.com/whitecoatnotes/2012/08/10/human-biting-eee-infected-mosquitoes-found-reading-are-first-outside-southeastern-mass-and-cape-cod/K4MbLVtfku0etu1bHQhtmK/story.html

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Indiana 08/10/12 wane.com: Health officials say four human cases of WNV have now been confirmed in Hamilton, Marion, and Jackson counties. – See http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/indiana/four-human-west-nile-cases-statewide

Maryland 08/10/12 dhmh.maryland.gov: News Release – Public health officials today announced that an adult in Central Maryland is the state’s first confirmed human case of symptomatic WNV infection in 2012. WNV was also detected in a pool of mosquitoes collected in Montgomery County by the U.S. Department of Defense. – See http://dhmh.maryland.gov/publicrelations/pr/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=275

Nebraska 08/08/12 dhhs.ne.gov: Health Alert – There are six (6) lab-confirmed human cases of WNV, one each in Boone, Butler, Hamilton and Madison counties and 2 in Scottsbluff County. Multiple counties show positive mosquito pools or infected birds (see maps, http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/wnvData2012.aspx). –

See complete Health Alert at http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Documents/Update080812.pdf

South Dakota 08/10/12 doh.sd.gov: Update – WNV has been detected in 24 counties.  31 human cases of the disease reported. 16 WNV viremic blood donors. 2 WNV positive horses. – See https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/13912805e2c6514c

Texas 08/09/12 Dallas County: Public health officials have declared a public health emergency, saying the spread of the WNV has become epidemic . . . county health officials have reported 162 WNV human cases including nine deaths so far this year. – See http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/09/4711989/west-nile-emergency-declared-in.html

Texas 08/09/12 Andrews, Andrews County: Health officials have confirmed the first human case of WNV in the Permian Basin. – See http://www.newswest9.com/story/19241793/first-case-of-west-nile-virus-pushes-officials-to-take-action

Texas 08/10/12 Denton, Denton County: Public health officials have confirmed that a 90-year-old resident with underlying health conditions is the county’s first death associated with WNV this year. There have been 66 total human cases of the virus, and 65 positive mosquito pools, in the county so far this year. – See http://www.scntx.com/articles/2012/08/10/lewisville_leader/news/9016.txt

Rabies:

California 08/10/12 Acton, Los Angeles County: Public health officials have confirmed that a bat that fell from a tree and bit a local resident on the shoulder a week ago has tested positive for rabies. Two other bats found last weekend between Stevenson Ranch and Acton also tested positive for the virus. Nine rabid bats have been found in the Santa Clarita Valley so far this year. – See http://hometownstation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30718:rabid-bats-acton-clarita-2012-08-10-16-29&catid=26:local-news&Itemid=97

Colorado 08/09/12 El Paso County: A dead bat found near the entrance of the Starsmore Discovery Center at 2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Road has tested positive for rabies. Anyone who might have had contact with the bat should seek immediate medical advice. – See http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21278126/rabies-confirmed-bat-found-el-paso-county

Georgia 08/09/12 Bryan County: A raccoon that came in contact with a local family dog has tested positive for rabies. The dog was not up-to-date on vaccinations and had to be euthanized. This is the third rabid raccoon found in the county this year. – See http://savannahnow.com/bryan-county-now/2012-08-09/third-rabid-raccoon-found-bryan-county#.UCXiDaMt7WB

Massachusetts 08/09/12 Dartmouth, Bristol County: A woodchuck (aka groundhog) that came in contact with a vaccinated dog and was later found on Hancock Street, west of Cross Road and south of Route 6, has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2012/08/09/rabid-woodchuck-attacks-dog-dartmouth/a6RJqICdynq5f2rob4RsMJ/story.html

Massachusetts 08/10/12 Bolton, Worcester County: A bat captured by an animal control officer inside a local home has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wickedlocal.com/harvard/news/x1791379167/Rabid-bat-found-in-Bolton-no-cause-for-alarm#axzz23DNs6ict

New Hampshire 08/10/12 Freedom, Carroll County: Local police shot and killed a fox that attacked people walking their dog and then attacked the police. Officials are waiting for results of a rabies test, but less than two weeks ago another fox tested positive for the virus in the nearby town of Bartlett. – See http://www.conwaydailysun.com/index.php/newsx/local-news/91882-suspected-rabid-fox-attacks-police-in-freedom

New York 08/10/12 Middletown, Orange County: A rabies alert has been issued after a bat that was in contact with a vaccinated dog in the Lincroft section tested positive for the virus. This is the fifth case of rabies in the town this year. – See http://www.myfoxny.com/story/19246572/rabies-alert-issued-for-middletown

North Carolina 08/09/12 Cary, Wake & Chatham counties: A dead bat found inside a home in the 300 block of Tweed Circle on Tuesday has tested positive for rabies. The homeowner was potentially exposed to the virus. – See http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/08/09/2257613/man-exposed-to-rabid-bat-inside.html

Ohio 08/09/12 Danville, Knox County: A bat that came in contact with an unvaccinated dog has tested positive for rabies. The dog will be euthanized. – See http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/aug/09/bat-tests-positive-rabies-knox-co-dog-be-euthanize-ar-1132088/

WASHINGTON wildlife officers kill one WOLF and target another to protect LIVESTOCK ~ FOLLOW-UP REPORT: 9 more Waldorf, MARYLAND residents exposed to possibly RABID BATS ~ NEW YORK TV station proposes simple method to catch a BAT ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from CA, ILx2, IA, NE, NH, & TN ~ RABIES reports from NJ, OR, PA, TX. & WI.

Gray wolf. Courtesy National Park Service.

Washington 08/07/12 seattletimes.com: by Lynda V. Mapes – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agents killed one wolf and are preparing to kill another to protect a rancher’s livestock in northeastern Washington. The wolves are in the population protected by state, but not federal laws. Only wolves in the western two-thirds of the state are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The wolf killed Tuesday morning was part of a pack in the so called “Wedge,” a remote area of northeastern Washington home to wolverines, grizzly bears — and The Diamond M Ranch, where complaints by a rancher of one calf killed and others injured generated the department’s decision to kill the wolf and prepare to kill another by Wednesday afternoon.

Gray wolf. Courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The targeted animals are two of last year’s pups from a pack in the Wedge, not the alpha male and female of the pack. “We don’t want to break up the pack, and this year’s pups are not [predatory],” said Dave Ware, manager of the game division for the department. . . Washington was home to two known packs of wolves in 2010, and five packs last December, and now has eight confirmed packs — and maybe more, based on public reports and observed tracks. The rebound is typical of the pattern, Ware said, in which recovery begins slowly, then picks up speed. – For complete article see http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2018869322_wolves08m.html

Follow-Up Report:

(See Rabies: Maryland 08/01/12 “Two people are being treated for potential exposure to rabies” posted 08/03/12)

Maryland 08/08/12 Waldorf, Charles County: Eleven Huntington Apartments residents are being treated for potential exposure to rabies after contact with bats. Officials have evaluated 22 people from 12 units and those who have had direct contact with a bat or slept in a room where a bat was found have been referred for preventative treatment. – See http://www.somdnews.com/article/20120808/NEWS/708089679/1074/11-being-treated-for-rabid-bat-contact&template=southernMaryland

National 08/08/12 How to Catch a Bat: The best way to catch a bat is to close all the windows and doors in your home and turn off all the lights, except for one. The bat will be attracted to that light. When the bat lands, approach it slowly while wearing heavy work gloves and then place a can or a box over the bat and slide a piece of cardboard or plastic over the top. Keep the container in a cool location and contact your local health department so the bat can be tested for rabies. – Method proposed by WSYR-TV Syracuse. – For complete article and video see http://www.9wsyr.com/content/news/your_stories/story/How-to-catch-a-bat-Your-Stories/fafLV2CE30aIaCQxnLscjQ.cspx

Author’s Note: After you catch the bat, if you don’t know how it got in, call a local pest and wildlife control professional to find and seal points of entry.

West Nile Virus (WNV):

California 08/08/12 Sacramento & Yolo counties: Mosquito & Vector Control District WNV activity update: Sacramento – Level 3: 458 dead birds, 13 sentinel chickens, and 321 mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV to date. Yolo – Level 3: 39 dead birds, 2 sentinel chickens, and 48 mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV to date. – See https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/139085bbdbd66e8c

Illinois 08/06/12 Cook County: Four more human cases of WNV have been reported, including a 57-year-old Evanston resident, two in Chicago, and one in a suburban area. – See http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/evanston/chi-six-people-with-west-nile-in-cook-county-20120808,0,5705380.story

Illinois 08/08/12 DuPage County: The Health Department reports 89 mosquito pools have tested positive for WNV so far this season, compared to only one positive test during the same period last year. – See http://wheaton.patch.com/articles/health-department-west-nile-virus-is-widespread

Iowa 08/07/12 Johnson County: Two cases of WNV have been confirmed in two area horses on two separate farms in the county. Both horses had to be euthanized. . . Since these two cases of WNV were confirmed, two cases have been reported in northwest Iowa and one case in north central Iowa, according to Dustin Vandehoef of the Iowa Dept. of Agriculture. There has also been one confirmed human case of WNV in northwest Iowa. – See http://www.kalonanews.com/articles/2012/08/07/news/doc50217fee989c3239040939.txt

Nebraska 08/08/12 Hamilton County: Health officials have confirmed the first human case of WNV in central Nebraska. – See http://www.nebraska.tv/story/19228853/west-nile-virus-showing-up-in-central-nebraska

New Hampshire 08/07/12 dhhs.nh.gov: News Release – Public health officials have confirmed that 18 batches of mosquitoes have tested positive for WNV recently from the towns of Manchester, Nashua, and Salem.  This is in addition to the 8 batches that Manchester already announced this season, bringing the total number of positive batches so far this year to 26. These findings have caused DPHS to raise the risk level for arboviral diseases in the greater Manchester, Nashua, and Salem areas. – See https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/139075b2b2520417

Tennessee 08/08/12 Knox County: The Knox County Health Department has received lab confirmation of the presence of WNV in mosquitoes in six different areas of the county. – See http://www.wbir.com/news/article/229570/2/West-Nile-Virus-showing-up-in-more-areas-of-Knox-County

Rabies:

New Jersey 08/08/12 Burlington County: A skunk that attacked an opossum on the 300 block of Van Sant Drive, off Temple Boulevard in Palmyra, has tested positive for rabies. This is the third animal confirmed to be rabid in the Cinnaminson/Palmyra area this week. – See http://cinnaminson.patch.com/articles/third-wild-animal-tested-positive-for-rabies

Oregon 08/08/12 Benton County: A bat pulled out of the Willamette River by a group of Boy Scouts last week has tested positive for rabies, Benton County health officials confirmed Wednesday. This is the second bat in Benton County, and the seventh in the state of Oregon, to test positive for rabies this year. On Friday, four Boy Scouts on a canoe trip on the Willamette River retrieved a live bat from the water. The boys, handling the animal with bare hands, then took the bat to a scout leader. The scout leader quickly had the bat placed into a “secure container,” according to a statement from the Benton County Health Department. The leader then alerted the health department. When the scouts got to Hyat Park, a Benton County sheriff’s deputy picked up the animal and took it to the health department. The troop had been canoeing from Eugene to Hyat Park. The bat was discovered at  a point in the river about 3 miles north of Corvallis. Since the scouts handled the bat with bare hands, the bat was sent to the Oregon Public Health Laboratory in Hillsboro to be tested for rabies. A positive result came back Wednesday. The Boy Scout troop is a Washington County troop. Washington County health officials will evaluate whether the boys who touched the bat should receive a rabies vaccine given after exposure, according to the Benton County Health Department statement.

Pennsylvania 08/08/12 Fulton County: A skunk that sprayed a man who was working in the southern part of the county last Wednesday has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.fultoncountynews.com/news/2012-08-09/Front_Page/Gas_Man_Sprayed_By_Rabid_Skunk.html

Texas 08/08/12 Parker County: A male deer found at the Sugar Tree Golf Course on August 2^nd has tested positive for rabies. According to reports, the deer was friendly and allowed people to pet and hand feed him. The county sheriff is asking those who had any contact with the deer to seek immediate medical advice. – See http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-rabies-scare-deer-tests-positive-for-rabies-20120808,0,2238579.story

Wisconsin 08/08/12 Marathon County: Health officials are seeking assistance in locating a dog that bit a young man on the city’s west side. The incident occurred at about 7 p.m. Friday on Garfield Avenue. The dog has been described as a small, black, short-haired dog with a dark colored collar. Verifying the vaccination status of the dog could prevent the man from having to go through a series of rabies shots. Anyone with information about the dog or its owner should call the Marathon County Health Department at 715-261-1908 or the Marathon County Dispatch at 715-849-7785.

CANADA: ONTARIO scientists find most SQUIRRELS and MICE in Algonquin Provincial Park are infected with bacteria that causes Q-FEVER in HUMANS ~ ALBERTA farmers say WOLVES are slaughtering LIVESTOCK ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from ONTARIO (2) ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from IL, & MS ~ RABIES reports from GA, NY, RI, & VA.

Flying Squirrel. Photo by State of Indiana.

Canada:

Ontario 07/03/12 laurentian.ca: News Release – A team of Laurentian University biology researchers has found significant evidence of the spread of the zoonotic bacterium Coxiella burnetii in wildlife in Algonquin Park. A zoonotic disease is one that can be transmitted to humans from animals. The C. burnetii bacterium causes Query fever or “Q-fever” in humans.  It was detected in 6 out of 7 species of wild rodents tested within the boundaries of Algonquin Park, including red squirrels, flying squirrels and deer mice.  It was also found in flying squirrels in the Peterborough area, indicating that the bacteria may be widespread among these animal populations in Ontario.

Researchers say Coxiella burnetii  is generally found on farms with small ruminants, but little is known about transmission of the bacteria from the natural environment.  The researchers, led by Canada Research Chair Dr. Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde of Laurentian University, say their findings suggest that some visitors to Algonquin Park could be at risk of infection. “The bacteria that cause Query fever can make humans quite sick, so this is an important finding,” said Dr. Schulte-Hostedde. “We’re still trying to learn how Coxiella burnetii  is maintained and spread in the natural environment.  We don’t know yet whether wild species are picking it up from domesticated animals, and we don’t know how it changes as it moves between species.  As we learn more about it, we’ll have a better understanding of the potential risk to human health.”

Dr. Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde

Dr. Schulte-Hostedde is Canada Research Chair in Applied Evolutionary Ecology at Laurentian University.  Among other areas of study, he has studied squirrel populations in Algonquin Park for more than 10 years. “We were certainly surprised to find such a high prevalence of Coxiella burnetii  in Algonquin, given the amount of human traffic in the area,” said Dr. Schulte-Hostedde.  “There are hundreds of thousands of visitors to this park in a year, so it’s good news that so far there are no confirmed reports of Q-fever traced back to the Park.” People diagnosed with Query fever are usually infected through contact with sheep, goats or cattle.  The resulting illness may cause fever, flu-like symptoms, and occasionally swelling of the lining of the heart and heart failure.  The last significant outbreak was in the Netherlands in 2007 and led to the infection of more than 2,000 people and the culling of thousands of goats. The results of the Laurentian research are being published in the latest issue of the scientific journal Zoonoses and Public Health.

Alberta 07/04/12 cbc.ca: Farmers near Mayerthorpe are on high alert after wolves attacked animals in two separate incidents over the past two weeks. Three cows were slaughtered in one case; a mare and donkey were attacked in the other. The latter incident occurred earlier this month on Merle Arthur’s horse and mule farm near Mayerthorpe. The attack shocked him because donkeys usually keep wolves at bay. “If you or I were to run up and grab him by the hind leg, we wouldn’t wake up for about a week — if we woke up,” Arthur said. “So he would have put up an awful fight. It would have been more than one wolf. It would have been a pack of wolves that did this.” Arthur had to shoot the donkey because it was so badly injured.

Cattle farmers can get compensation, but Arthur won’t be able to claim anything for his donkey. “They’re not considered a specific meat-producing animal,” said local wildlife officer Greg Gilbertson. “So the program doesn’t cover those types of animals.” Arthur says the loss of his donkey will be a financial set-back as it was the only male he owned for breeding. “This is my living,” he said. “This is what I do and them wolves took a good part of it away.”

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Ontario 07/04/12 North York District, Toronto: Mosquitoes collected along Bayview Avenue, between York Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East, have tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.insidetoronto.com/community/health/article/1387557–west-nile-virus-found-in-north-york

Ontario 07/04/12 Windsor: Health officials say a mosquito pool has tested positive for WNV. – See http://metronews.ca/news/windsor/285614/west-nile-virus-found-in-windsor/

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Illinois 07/04/12 Monmouth, Warren County: Health officials report WNV positive mosquitoes collected in a batch of insects on Monday. – See http://www.galesburg.com/news/x749721140/West-Nile-virus-found-in-Monmouth

Mississippi 07/04/12 Hancock County: The state’s health department has confirmed a second human case of WNV. Last year the state had 52 human cases and five deaths. – See http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2012/07/mississippi_reports_first_west.html

Rabies:

Georgia 07/04/12 Mitchell County: A fox that scratched a man’s arm when he tried to separate the animal from his pet dog has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?id=772362#.T_T78vWF7WA

New York 07/03/12 Watertown, Jefferson County: An feral cat found in the East Hills Apartment area off Eastern Boulevard and described as an “orange tabby cat” has tested positive for rabies. – http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/Rabid-Cat-Found-In-Watertown-Apartment-Complex-161273415.html

Rhode Island 07/03/12 North Providence, Providence County: State health officials say a cat infected with rabies may have had contact with humans and other animals before it died. It is described as an adult gray short-haired cat with tiger stripes and roamed a neighborhood around Central Avenue. Anyone who believes they might have been exposed to the virus should seek medical advice immediately. – See http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/2012/07/03/cat-infected-with-rabies-found-north-providence/9v6l700geyNgVCPZl6pDhM/story.html

Virginia 07/04/12 Yorktown, York County: The Peninsula Health Department is looking for a Dachshund that bit a person in the Wolf Trap Park neighborhood on July 1. According to the Department, the victim will have to get a rabies vaccine if the dog is not found. If and when the dog is found, it will be placed in confinement for 10 days. Anyone who has seen a dog matching that description is asked to call Animal Control at 757-890-3601.

UTAH confirms two fatal cases of HANTAVIRUS ~ SOUTH DAKOTA’s Pine Ridge Reservation officials report a second (unconfirmed) case of HANTAVIRUS ~ TEXAS collects WEST NILE VIRUS infected MOSQUITOES ~ COLORADO officers kill a MOUNTAIN LION preying on PETS and LIVESTOCK ~ IOWA jogger reports MOUNTAIN LION stalking her ~ RABIES reports from ID, PA, VA, & WY.

Deer mouse. Courtesy Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Utah 06/05/12 sltrib.com: by Kirsten Stewart – Two Utahns died last month from hantavirus, the first confirmed cases of the year and first fatalities from the virus since 2009, say health officials. “We usually have about one case a year. Sometimes they survive and sometimes they don’t,” said JoDee Baker, an epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health. “But to have two fatalities so early in the season was why we wanted to get the word out.” Officials will not release the names of the deceased. Both were adults between the ages of 20 and 65. One lived in Millard County and the other in Salt Lake County, but it’s unclear where they were infected. “We know they had rodent exposure,” because that’s how the virus is spread, she said.”We just don’t know where. We’re still investigating.” Summer is peak season for hantavirus, which is carried predominantly by deer mice in North America. People are usually exposed by breathing contaminated dust after disturbing or cleaning rodent dropping or nests or by living or working in rodent-infested environments. Exposure is more common in rural areas, but the Salt Lake County victim isn’t believed to have traveled throughout the state and could have been infected within county lines, Baker said. – For complete article see http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54245009-78/hantavirus-bleach-cleaning-disease.html.csp
South Dakota 06/05/12 necn.com: While many Oglala Sioux residents living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation had heard about an outbreak of hantavirus in the Navajo Nation in 1993, they weren’t worried about the disease spread by rodents until a 7-year-old member of their tribe died last week. Tribal officials said late Monday night a second case has developed, and they are working with several agencies to pass out hundreds of cleaning kits that include gloves, masks and bleach to help prevent further spread of the disease. Rodents shed the virus in their urine, waste and saliva, and it can become airborne in particles of dust. The Navajo outbreak, in which several otherwise healthy young people died after suffering acute respiratory failure, led to the discovery of hantavirus. But it was hundreds of miles away and nearly two decades ago. Pine Ridge didn’t need to worry about that, residents thought. “Until it hit us … it was something we couldn’t even imagine,” tribal spokeswoman Donna Salomon said. Health officials confirmed last week that 7-year-old Maria White Butterfly had died from the disease. Tribal officials say another child is currently hospitalized with a second case, although an official with the South Dakota Department of Health says it is still investigating and hasn’t confirmed the infection. – For complete article see http://www.necn.com/06/05/12/2nd-hantavirus-case-confirmed-on-Pine-Ri/landing_health.html?&apID=c599357e5765426bac0e6b8663a86b5b

Texas 06/05/12 The Woodlands, Montgomery County: State health officials have confirmed that a sample of mosquitoes has tested positive for West Nile Virus. – See http://fatcatwebproductions.com/the_paper/content/west-nile-virus-confirmed-take-precautions

Colorado 06/04/12 durangoherald.com: by Dale Rodebaugh – Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers have put down a young mountain lion that killed three goats south of Mancos overnight Thursday. The attack occurred in a rural subdivision about 1½ miles south of Mancos where the goats were raised as pets or 4-H animals, agency spokesman Joe Lewandowski said Monday. “The predator, we think, was a 2-year-old male probably just chased off by the mother,” Lewandowski said. “The young tend to hang around until they’re 18 months to 2 years old.” One of the dead goats was placed in a trap as a lure, Lewandowski said. Lions return to a kill to feed again, he said. The lion was put down with an injection on Saturday, he said. Wildlife officers are confident it’s the same lion because they tend to be territorial, and two calves were killed by a lion on a neighboring farm a month ago. “We live in mountain-lion country,” Lewandowski said. “People with pets such as goats should protect them with dogs or keep them in an enclosure – a shed or barn – or behind an electric fence.” The three goats killed were behind a fence but a very low one, Lewandowski said. – For comments see http://durangoherald.com/article/20120605/NEWS01/706059930/Officers-euthanize-young-mountain-lion

Iowa 06/05/12 radioiowa.com: by Scott Van Aartsen – There’s been another possible mountain lion sighting in Iowa. This time, the animal reportedly followed a woman who was jogging near railroad tracks. It happened near Sibley in northwest Iowa. Osceola County Deputy Seth Hoffman says the sighting was reported around 9:40 a.m. Monday. The woman said the animal followed her for a while before entering a ravine near a creek. Deputy Hoffman responded and said he didn’t see anything the first time, but went out again with Sheriff Doug Weber and a couple of hunters with coon dogs. Hoffman says they did find what they believe to be mountain lion tracks.  The group took several pictures for D.N.R. officials who may be able to confirm the tracks are those of a mountain lion. Hoffman says he has heard several reports of local sightings of mountain lions. But at this time, he doesn’t feel it poses an immediate threat, as mountain lions generally run away once they sense humans are near them.

Idaho 06/04/12 Boise, Ada County: A bat found on the sidewalk near Madison and 28^th streets on June 2^nd has tested positive for rabies. Anyone who came in contact with the animal, or knows their pet did, should seek immediate medical advice. – See http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/06/04/2142789/bat-found-in-north-boise-tests.html

Pennsylvania 06/05/12 Upper Merion, Montgomery County: A bat that scratched an adult and bit a teenager at the Upper Merion Swim and Tennis Club on May 29^th has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/the_intelligencer_news/montco-reports-rabid-bat/article_1fb0cc15-e05b-5520-adba-21901588a191.html

 Virginia 06/04/12 Hampton: A raccoon that attacked a dog and was later captured in the Fordham area has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.dailypress.com/news/breaking/dp-rabies-case-hampton-20120604,0,2744509.story

Wyoming 06/04/12 Cheyenne, Laramie County: Three skunks found near Pine Bluffs, as well as one skunk and a stray cat found a yard over the Nebraska state line, have all tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.kgwn.tv/story/18700569/rabid-skunks-cat-found-in-se-wyoming

NORTH DAKOTA expands DEER bait ban due to concern about CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE ~ OREGON confirms second WOLF kill of LIVESTOCK within two weeks ~ WYOMING officials issue alert over possible TULAREMIA diagnosis in DOG ~ RABIES reports from FL, OR, VA, & WI ~ CDC REPORTS: ZOONOTIC DISEASE summary for week ending May 5, 2012.

Buck and doe mule deer. Courtesy National Park Service.

North Dakota 05/17/12 jamestownsun.com: The Game and Fish Department is expanding a baiting ban in south central North Dakota where three cases of chronic wasting disease in deer have been documented.

The ban had applied to hunting unit 3F2, where all of the CWD cases have been documented in the past four years. Game and Fish Wildlife Veterinarian Dan Grove says the ban this year will be extended into the four units surrounding 3F2. Chronic wasting is a fatal disease in members of the deer family. North Dakota had been somewhat of an island when it came to CWD until the first case in 2009. The second case was in 2010 and the third case was last year. Other hunting restrictions are in effect in unit 3F2. More information can be found at http://www.gf.nd.gov

Oregon 05/17/12 thenewstribune.com: Two weeks after the first, a second confirmed wolf kill of livestock has been reported in Umatilla County. The attack occurred sometime Friday or Saturday and killed a ram and injured three other rams on private land between Wildhorse and Pine Creek roads southeast of Weston. One of the injured sheep later had to be euthanized, said Meg Kenagy, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman. The location was within 7-8 miles of the first wolf attack, which occurred May 2. The earlier attack killed two ewes and two lambs with one additional lamb reported missing and believed killed. Kenagy said investigators can’t say for sure whether the most recent attack was the work of one wolf or more than one. Only one wolf was believed to have involved in the earlier attack. As with the earlier attack, the kill took place in an area not known to be frequented by one of Oregon’s four known wolf packs. Two wolves were discovered last August in the northern Mount Emily wildlife management unit, but are not part of any known pack. “We are actively trying to capture and radio collar the wolves,” Kenagy said today. The depredation report on the incident is expected to be posted on the ODFW Web site today, she said.

The two dead sheep bring the number of livestock animals killed by wolves in Oregon to 59 since 2009. Prior to the Umatilla County attacks, the last confirmed wolf kill of livestock in Oregon occurred March 8 in Wallowa County, which was the only area that had confirmed or probable livestock losses due to wolves. In an interview earlier this month, Sue Miller, one of the owners of the sheep killed in the May 2 attack, said that along with wolves, ranchers have to deal with bears and cougars as well. Although livestock owners are compensated for losses due to wolves, the amount doesn’t begin to cover what an animal would have been worth had it grown to full size and sold at market. “I hope that the people who say ’Bring back the wolves,’ could come up here and see their animals killed,” she said.

The deer fly is a carrier of tularemia.

Wyoming 05/16/12 k2radio.com: by Karen Snyder – Following a possible Tularemia diagnoses in a local dog, Natrona County health officials are encouraging folks to take precautions. “What we wanted to do here at the health department was to take this opportunity to remind folks that Tularemia is here. It’s always been with us and now, as we start moving out to outdoor activities, people should be aware that there is a risk out there.” Health Department Director, Robert Harrington, says Tularemia is usually contracted through a tick or biting fly. It’s carried in rabbits, muskrats and beavers. It’s transmitted to humans via contact with the body fluid of an infected animal. – See http://k2radio.com/possible-tularemia-case-triggers-health-dept-warning/

Florida 05/16/12 Fort Meade, Polk County: A dead raccoon discovered May 11^th by a resident on Sand Mountain Road has tested positive for rabies. The man said he went looking for his two dogs and found them by the animal’s carcass. This is the sixth case of animal rabies in the county this year. – See http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2012/5/16/sixth_case_of_rabies.html

Oregon 05/16/12 Multnomah County: A bat that bit a person who picked it up has tested positive for rabies. This is the second bat to test positive for the virus in the state this year, and the first one in the county since 2008. – See http://www.kptv.com/story/18438602/bat-rabies-found-in-multnomah-county

Virginia 05/16/12 Goochland, Goochland County: Health officials confirm that a skunk found in the county has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.goochlandgazette.com/index.php/news/article/rabid_skunk_case_confirmed_in_goochland/27508/

Wisconsin 05/16/12 Eau Claire County: The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is looking for a dog that bit a man Monday at about 7:30 p.m. on Langedell Road in Eau Claire County, near the Dunn County line. The dog is described as a Shih Tzu with a darker moustache on the face, tan in color, long hair, well-groomed and healthy and appeared to be full-grown. The dog did not have a collar or tags and it ran west on Langedell Road. The health and rabies status of the dog needs to be determined. The owner of this dog, or anyone with information about this dog, is encouraged to call the Eau Claire Communications Center at 715-839-4972.

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending May 5, 2012:

Published May 11, 2012/ 61(18); ND-241-ND-254

Anaplasmosis . . . 6 . . . Maine, New York (3), Rhode Island (2),

Babesiosis . . . 3 . . . New York (3),

Ehrlichiosis . . . 6 . . . Missouri (4), New York (2),

Giardiasis . . . 104 . . . Alabama (2), Alaska, Arizona (2), California (11), Florida (21), Idaho (2), Iowa (3), Maine, Maryland (6), Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada (3), New York (19), Ohio (7), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (9), South Carolina (3), Virginia, Washington (7),

HME/HGE Undetermined . . . 3 . . . New York, Virginia (2), 

Lyme Disease . . .  130. . .  Delaware (3), Florida, Maine, Maryland (15), New Jersey (40), New York (25), Pennsylvania (33), Rhode Island (3), Vermont (4), Virginia (5),

Rabies (Animal) . . . 36. . . Alabama, Arkansas (6), Maine (2), Maryland (2), New Mexico, New York (4), Rhode Island, Texas (8), Vermont, Virginia (9), West Virginia,

Spotted Fever (Probable) . . . 14 . . . Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri (6), New York, Tennessee (5).

ALASKA hunter survives KODIAK GRIZZLY attack with scalp wound ~ ANNOUNCEMENT: CALIFORNIA’s Siskiyou County to host presentation by WOLF expert Carter Niemeyer.

Grizzly. Courtesy National Park Service.

Alaska 05/01/12 alaskadispatch.com: by Craig Medred – Fairbanks hunter Rod Moretz apparently shot the trophy brown bear of his dreams on Kodiak Island Saturday, then became entangled in far more of an adventure than any hunter wants, according to reports from Alaska State Troopers. They indicate the 48-year-old hunter was approaching his kill when another bear bolted out of a den about 100 yards away and charged him at full bore. “Moretz tried to evade the charging bear,” a trooper dispatch said, “(but) the bear pounced on him and both rolled down a hill approximately 50 feet.” In the tumble, the bear lost contact with the hunter. When they stopped rolling, it jumped and ran back to the den. Further details are sketchy. Moretz, an engineer with the Bureau of Land Management in the Interior Alaska city and an active player in the local hockey league, could not be reached. Troopers said he was bitten on the head by the bear, but only suffered what were described as “minor scalp injuries.” His 13-year-old son bandaged him up at the scene, according to troopers. They then went about skinning the senior Moretz’s trophy. No attempt was made to shoot the bear which had charged. Nor, apparently, was there any call for help. The Moretzs apparently waited for their flight from Andrew Air, an air tax charter service out of Kodiak, to arrive on Sunday. They then flew back to Kodiak with the trophy, took the hide to the local office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to be sealed as required by law, and reported what had happened. Then the elder Moretz finally went to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center to have his wounds examined and treated. He was due back at work Tuesday in Fairbanks.

~ ANNOUNCEMENT ~

California 05/01/12 siskiyoudaily.com: by John Bowman – “The Siskiyou County Department of Agriculture wants you to have the facts so you know what to expect if wolves become established in Southern Oregon and Northern California,” stated a recent press release from the department announcing an upcoming presentation about wolves. At 6:30 p.m on May 10 at the Miners Inn Convention Center at 122 East Miner Street in Yreka, Carter Niemeyer – “an expert on wolf biology and a leading authority on wolves” – will give a presentation on the potential influences of wolves on the Siskiyou County ecosystem. Niemeyer has worked for the Department of Wildlife Services in Montana and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he helped develop wolf management plans in Idaho and Oregon. He will give a presentation on wolf behavior, wolf impacts on elk and deer populations, and procedures he has used to confirm wolf kills on livestock. In addition, he will answer specific questions from audience members about wolf management and their potential impacts on the local livestock industry.

Carter Niemeyer

Since it first entered Siskiyou County in December, gray wolf OR7 has wandered far and wide across Northern California, stirring up controversy in each of the counties it has crossed through and throughout the state. After spending most of March in Southern Oregon, OR7 ventured back into Siskiyou County on April 1 only to bounce back into Oregon on April 11 and again back into Siskiyou County on April 17. Since then, the wolf has wandered from northeastern Siskiyou County down to the southeastern section of the county and most recently into Southwestern Modoc county on April 27. – For complete article see http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x206668624/Wolf-expert-to-speak-in-Yreka