FERAL HOGS a growing concern in OKLAHOMA ~ NEW YORK scientist says new LYME DISEASE VACCINE shows promise in clinical trials ~ CDC releases final 2012 WEST NILE VIRUS report ~ WEST NILE VIRUS report from TENNESSEE ~ RABIES reports from CA, NY, NCx3, & TX.

Feral hog. Photo by University of Missouri Ext.

Oklahoma 05/14/13 odwc.state.ok.us: News Release – Feral hogs destroy wildlife habitat at alarming rates and cause a number of important concerns to hunters, farmers and other landowners in Oklahoma  Feral hogs can cause extensive damage to farm fields, crops, stored livestock feed, woodlots, suburban landscaping, golf courses and wildlife habitat relied upon by native species such as deer, turkey, squirrels and quail. Their voracious appetites, destructive habits and prolific breeding patterns wreak havoc on the landscape, often resulting in overwhelming competition to native species. They may also carry diseases that can be transmitted to other species, including humans. “The bottom line is they don’t belong here,” said Kevin Grant, Oklahoma state director of Wildlife Services for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which oversees feral swine management issues in Oklahoma as part of a memorandum of understanding with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The memorandum is rooted in the fact that feral swine are not true wildlife, but rather descendants of domestic stock living at large in a feral state.

Grant said millions of dollars and significant resources have been spent in an effort to make sure domestic swine stock is safe from disease, so the presence of feral populations raises concerns for the safety of domestic swine and the swine industry. “If they’re here, they need to be on the plate or in a pen because they’re not native to the Americas, and the way that they’re really taking off out there is pretty phenomenal,” Grant said. Grant’s comments were part of a presentation to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission on the statewide status of feral swine, or “wild hogs” as they are often called in Oklahoma. According to Grant and officials with the Wildlife Department, feral hogs are a well-established and still growing problem in Oklahoma. “They are probably the most prolific large mammal around,” Grant said, adding that feral swine can reach sexual maturity by 6 months of age, have relatively short gestational periods and can give birth to large litters multiple times a year. In the 1990s, the Agriculture Department worked with the Wildlife Department and the Noble Foundation to study the spread of feral hog populations in Oklahoma. Feral hogs seemed to originate in southeastern Oklahoma, and they since have spread to all 77 counties. – For complete release see https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/13ea4fb0754627c5

Lyme Disease:

Global 05/13/13 healthcanal.com: News Release – The results of a phase 1/2 clinical trial in Europe of an investigational Lyme disease vaccine co-developed by researchers at Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and at healthcare company Baxter International S.A., revealed it to be promising and well tolerated, according to a research paper published online in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The vaccine was shown to produce substantial antibodies against all targeted species of Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease in Europe and the United States. Baxter conducted the clinical trial of the vaccine.

Benjamin Luft, M.D., Stony Brook University School of Medicine.

Since the early 1990s, Benjamin Luft, MD, the Edmund D. Pellegrino Professor of Medicine at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, and the late John Dunn, Ph.D., a biologist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, spearheaded the initial development of the original vaccine antigen concept, and together with researchers at Baxter helped bioengineer the formulation used in the clinical trial. . . “The results of the clinical trial conducted by Baxter are promising because the vaccine generated a potent human immune reaction, covered the complete range of Borrelia active in the entire Northern hemisphere, and produced no major side effects,” said Dr. Luft, a co-author on the paper. “We hope that a larger-scale, Phase 3 trial will demonstrate not only a strong immune response but true efficacy in a large population that illustrates protection against Lyme disease.” – For complete release see http://www.healthcanal.com/infections/38557-lyme-disease-vaccine-shows-promise-in-clinical-trials.html

West Nile Virus (WNV):

National 05/14/13 cdc.gov: Media Advisory – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today released the final 2012 national surveillance data for West Nile virus activity. To access the information, please visit www.cdc.gov/westnile . A total of 5,674 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 286 deaths, were reported to CDC from 48 states (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). Of all West Nile virus disease cases reported, 2,873 (51 percent) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis, or acute flaccid paralysis). The dates of illness onset (when the patients’ illness began) ranged from March through December 2012. The numbers of neuroinvasive, non-neuroinvasive, and total West Nile virus disease cases reported in 2012 are the highest since 2003. The number of deaths is the highest since cases of WNV disease were first detected in the United States in 1999.

Tennessee 05/13/13 Davidson County: A batch of mosquitoes collected in Bordeaux near the intersection of Clarksville Pike and West Hamilton have tested positive for WNV.  – See http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130513/NEWS07/305130038

Rabies:

California 05/14/13 Orange County: A bat found on the garage floor of a home in the 2300 block of Vanguard Way in Costa Mesa on May 5 has tested positive for rabies. A 15-year-old boy contained the live bat in a box without touching it, he said, but the family was urged to pursue a course of action because of possible exposure. – See http://www.dailypilot.com/news/tn-dpt-me-0515-rabid-bat-20130513,0,5554328.story

New York 05/12/13 Staten Island: A Rabies Alert has been issued after ten raccoons and one bat tested positive for the virus on the island so far this year. The raccoons were found in Eltingville, Grasmere, Great Kills, New Dorp, Park Hill, and Westerleigh. – See http://statenisland.ny1.com/content/top_stories/181948/doh-says-high-number-of-si-raccoons-tested-positive-for-rabies

North Carolina 05/13/13 Wake County: A fox that fought with an unvaccinated dog last Wednesday in the vicinity of the 300 block of Jones Franklin Road in Raleigh has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.hollyspringssun.com/view/full_story/22524264/article-Wake-issues-rabies-notice?instance=popular

North Carolina 05/13/13 Guilford County: A raccoon found on Foxcreek Court in High Point has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.news-record.com/home/1213043-63/raccoon-tests-positive-for-rabies

North Carolina 05/12/13 New Hanover County: A Wilmington woman says she is scared she will have to have unnecessary rabies shots, after the owner of a dog that bit her disappeared. Susan Matthews said she was at the Fort Fisher Park on Saturday, visiting with one family and their puppy, when a second dog came up and bit her in the face. She says she started bleeding and raced down to the water to wash off her face, when she looked back, she says the dog owner had disappeared. “It happened so fast and then they were gone, it made me just want to cry,” said Matthews. “I was in shock the rest of the day, both about the bite and the fact that they left.” She says the cut continued to bleed, and wants to know if the dog had its rabies shots. If she can’t find the owners, she says she will have to go forward with rabies shot. “It’s very painful and very expensive and we don’t have insurance,” said Susan. She says, she is hoping to find the owner before time runs out, so she can save herself the pain and extra money if the shot is unnecessary. Susan says the dog has white hair. (Anyone with information about this incident should contact New Hanover County Public Health at 910-798-6500.)

Texas 05/13/13 Wichita County: A Rabies Alert has been issued in Wichita Falls after two skunks tested positive for the virus. – See http://texomashomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=274872

MOUNTAIN LION approaches CALIFORNIA HIKER ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from TN, & TX ~ RABIES reports from AL, CO, DC, GA, KS, MI, NJx2, NY, SC, & TX ~ ANNOUNCEMENT: CDC announced new LYME and other TICKBORNE DISEASE resources.

Mountain lion. Courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey.

California 05/08/13 marinscope.com: by Soren Hemmila – A Mill Valley woman reported seeing a mountain lion while hiking alone near Tam Valley last weekend. Mill Valley resident Elizabeth Kennard said she was hiking on a trail near Tennessee Valley Road when she spotted a mountain lion about 40 feet away. “I first thought oh my goodness maybe it’s a bob cat, don’t be scared,” Kennard said. “Then I saw it was larger and I saw its long tail and knew it wasn’t a bobcat.” The mountain lion leaped at something in the undergrowth and then turned and stared at Kennard before it started walking toward her. “There was nothing nearby to throw so I started backing slowly away and shouting very loudly,” Kennard said. Finally the mountain lion turned and went into the bushes. – For complete article see http://www.marinscope.com/mill_valley_herald/news/article_69183560-b829-11e2-a8df-0019bb2963f4.html

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Tennessee 05/07/13 Shelby County: The Health Department reported that mosquitoes collected in seven ZIP codes across the county — 38116, 38122 and 38127 in Memphis, 38133 in Bartlett, 38125 in Germantown, 38017 in Collierville and 38141 in unincorporated areas — tested positive for WNV. It’s the earliest detection in the dozen or so years since the virus initially spread to the county. – See http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/may/07/health-officials-report-earliest-ever-detection/

Texas 05/03/13 Denton County: Mosquitoes trapped in Lewisville on April 30^th in the vicinity of the 800 block of College Street and the 1700 block of South Edmond behind the Renaissance Village Retirement Center have tested positive for WNV. Spraying has been scheduled in both areas. – See http://www.coppellgazette.com/articles/2013/05/03/lewisville_leader/news/8622.txt

Rabies:

Alabama 05/07/13 Baldwin County: Health officials have issued a Rabies Alert after a fox that was found in the vicinity of Fairhope tested positive for rabies. – See http://blog.al.com/pr-community-news/2013/05/rabid_fox_in_baldwin_county_pr.html

Colorado 05/03/13 Washington County: A sick feral cat that bit and scratched an adult and a minor has tested positive for rabies. This is the second feral cat to test positive for rabies in the northeastern part of the state this year. – See http://www.yumapioneer.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5391&Itemid=39

District of Columbia 05/03/13: A sick raccoon captured in the 3100 block of Macomb Street NW has tested positive for rabies. Cleveland Park residents have been advised to secure trash cans, repair access holes in their homes, and keep pets on a leash. – See http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Rabid-Raccoon-in-Cleveland-Park-205969911.html

Georgia 05/08/13 DeKalb County: The communities of Brookhaven and Chamblee have issued Rabies Alerts after county officials captured two raccoons in the Harts Mill Court area on April 26^th and in the Ragley Hall Road area on April 30^th. Both raccoons tested positive for rabies. – See http://brookhaven.patch.com/articles/brookhaven-chamblee-communities-on-rabies-alert

Kansas 05/03/13 McPherson County: A cow examined by a veterinarian in the City of McPherson late last month has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.mcphersonsentinel.com/article/20130503/NEWS/130509705/1001/NEWS

Michigan 05/07/13 Wayne County: A bat that was found in Palmer Park on April 24^th and was unable to fly has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/22183912/bat-f

New Jersey 05/03/13 Salem County: A raccoon that fought with two vaccinated dogs in Quinton Township last week has tested positive for rabies. The dogs’ owner cleaned the dogs after the scuffle and is being treated for possible contact with the raccoon’s saliva and exposure to the rabies virus. – See http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2013/05/rabid_raccoon_reported_in_quin.html

New Jersey 05/03/13 Cape May County: A raccoon shot by police on Route 47 in Cape May Court House has tested positive for rabies. A skunk that fought with a dog in Swainton on May 1^st and was also shot by police was presumed to be rabid. And another skunk that fought with a dog in a separate incident on May 3^rd in Cape May Court House is being tested for rabies. – See http://shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/index.php/2010-04-07-20-18-16/middle-township-news/38093-middle-police-shoot-two-animals-suspected-to-have-rabies.html

New York 05/08/13 Oneida County: A fox that attacked a man twice in the vicinity of Pheasant Lane in New Hartford on Monday was shot by police and has tested positive for rabies. The man is receiving post exposure treatment. – See http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/05/fox_from_new_hartford_attack_h.html

South Carolina 05/08/13 Saluda County: A raccoon that bit a man in the county recently has tested positive for rabies. Health officials declined to release further information. – See http://www.indexjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=40&ArticleID=18489

Texas 05/03/13 Montague County: A skunk that entered a local residence in Bowie last weekend has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2013/may/03/briefly-5-3/

Announcement:

National 05/08/13 cdc.gov: News Release – The CDC has announced the release of a comic strip for school-aged children that teaches them how to prevent tick bites, even when Mom and Dad aren’t around:  See http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/resources/toolkit/DontletTicksbitemeComicFS_508.pdf

And Tickborne Diseases of the United States: A Reference Guide for Health Care Providers. – See http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/resources/TickborneDiseases.pdf

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

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/

Scientist says increase in EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS may be partly due to CLIMATE CHANGE ~ New as yet unnamed TICK-borne illness discovered in the NORTHEAST ~ WHO says DENGUE is world’s fastest-spreading tropical disease ~ RABIES reports from CT, NY, NC, RI, VA, & Canada: MANITOBA.

National 01/17/13 usnews.com: by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter – Although still rare, the extremely serious disease known as Eastern equine encephalitis may be affecting more people than before. In a recent review of two epidemics of Eastern equine encephalitis since the mid-2000s, researchers found 15 cases of the mosquito-borne illness among children in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Normally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention records about five to 10 cases a year nationwide. “This virus is rare, but it’s among the world’s most dangerous viruses, and it’s in your own backyard,” said lead review author Dr. Asim Ahmed, an infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Boston.

In 2012 alone, Massachusetts had seven documented cases of Eastern equine encephalitis, which is the highest number of infections reported since 1956. What’s more, the first human case ever in Vermont was reported in 2012. And, public health surveillance indicates that the virus that causes Eastern equine encephalitis may now have traveled as far north as Maine and Nova Scotia, Canada. Results of the review are published in the February issue of the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. – For complete article see http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/01/17/cases-of-rare-but-deadly-encephalitis-rising-among-kids-report-finds

Deer tick. Courtesy CDC.

National 01/16/13 bostonglobe.com: by Beth Daley – Researchers have discovered a new human disease in the Northeast transmitted by the same common deer tick that can infect people with Lyme disease. The bacterial illness causes flu-like symptoms, the researchers from Tufts, Yale, and other institutions reported Wednesday, but they also described the case of an 80-year-old woman who became confused and withdrawn, lost weight, and developed hearing difficulty and a wobbly gait. The woman, from New Jersey, recovered after receiving antibiotics. Researchers estimate that 1 percent of the population in areas where Lyme is widespread — such as western Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands — may be infected by the new bacteria, which can be transmitted by the tick when it is as small as a poppy seed. Lyme disease is thought to be 7 to 10 times more prevalent in these areas.

The discovery, disclosed in a paper and letter in the New England Journal of Medicine, marks the fifth human illness spread by deer ticks in the region, highlighting growing concerns about the threat posed by ticks and the burgeoning population of their hosts — deer. The disease is so new it remains unnamed and there is no readily-available test for doctors to screen for it, although some are being developed.  “It was right under our nose the whole time,’’ said Sam Telford, a professor at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine who studies tick-borne diseases, and one of the authors on the paper about the elderly woman. He said the bacterium, known as Borrelia miyamotoi, has been known to exist in deer ticks for about decade. But it was not believed to cause human illness until researchers last year linked it to 46 sick people in Russia, some with relapsing fevers. One scientist said the new disease might be the cause of unexplained symptoms, from fatigue to cognitive decline, in some people who believe they have Lyme but do not test positive for that bacteria. – For complete article see http://bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2013/01/16/new-illness-transmitted-same-tick-that-carries-lyme-discovered-northeast/LLAaJjOaFjJT18QEeUYdeN/story.html

Global 01/16/13 nbcnews.com: by Stephanie Nebehay, Reuters – Dengue is the world’s fastest-spreading tropical disease and represents a “pandemic threat”, infecting an estimated 50 million people across all continents, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. Transmitted by the bite of female mosquitoes, the disease is occurring more widely due to increased movement of people and goods – including carrier objects such as bamboo plants and used tires – as well as floods linked to climate change, the United Nations agency said. The viral disease, which affected only a handful of areas in the 1950s, is now present in more than 125 countries – significantly more than malaria, historically the most notorious mosquito-borne disease. The most advanced vaccine against dengue is only 30 percent effective, trials last year showed.

“In 2012, dengue ranked as the fastest spreading vector-borne viral disease with an epidemic potential in the world, registering a 30-fold increase in disease incidence over the past 50 years,” the WHO said in a statement. Late last year, Europe suffered its first sustained outbreak since the 1920s, with 2,000 people infected on the Portuguese Atlantic island of Madeira. Worldwide, 2 million cases of dengue are reported each year by 100 countries, mainly in Asia, Africa and Latin America, causing 5,000 to 6,000 deaths, said Dr. Raman Velayudhan, a specialist at the WHO’s control of neglected tropical diseases department. But the true number is far higher as the disease has spread exponentially and is now present on all continents, he said. “The WHO estimates that on average about 50 million cases occur every year. This is a very conservative estimate,” Velayudhan told Reuters, adding that some independent studies put the figure at 100 million. – For complete article see http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/16/16547799-who-dengue-is-fastest-spreading-tropical-disease?lite

Rabies:

Connecticut 01/17/13 New London County: Health officials confirmed Wednesday that a raccoon captured in Groton in the vicinity of Fishtown Road has tested positive for rabies. – See http://groton.patch.com/articles/raccoon-in-groton-tests-positive-for-rabies

New York 01/17/13 St. Lawrence County: During the last few weeks a raccoon captured in the vicinity of Castle Drive in Potsdam, and a skunk captured in Lisbon have both tested positive for rabies. – See http://northcountrynow.com/news/animals-captured-lisbon-potsdam-test-positive-rabies-076510

A Lamancha goat.

North Carolina 01/17/13 Orange County: A black and white Lamancha goat kept near Brookhollow and Bane roads in Efland has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wral.com/first-positive-rabies-test-for-2013/11994585/

Rhode Island 01/17/13 Washington County: A person that was bitten by a raccoon in an unprovoked attacked on Monday night is being treated for possible exposure to rabies. The incident occurred on Heritage Road in North Kingstown. Attempts to capture the raccoon failed and the animal remains at large however, if it was infected with rabies it may now be dead. Always seek immediate medical advice if a person or a pet is exposed to a raccoon whether alive or dead. – See http://www.jamestownpress.com/news/2013-01-17/News/Possible_rabies_case_after_raccoon_attack.html

Virginia 01/17/13 Norfolk: A raccoon that was killed by two dogs  in the 3700 block of Wedgefield Avenue in the Ingleside section of the city has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/deceased-raccoon-had-rabies

Canada:

Manitoba 01/17/13 Winnipeg: A skunk that attacked and bit a family’s pet dog recently has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/01/17/mb-rabies-pets-winnipeg.html

Missing piece of LYME DISEASE puzzle published in New England Journal of Medicine ~ RABIES reports from FL, MA, PA, & TX ~ CDC issues final WEST NILE VIRUS report for 2012.

Red fox after mouse. Photo by State of Connecticut.

National 12/27/12 medpagetoday.com: by Nancy Walsh – Excerpts – “With almost 25,000 cases confirmed by the CDC in 2011, Lyme disease indeed is a serious public health concern, but the evidence continues to argue against infection with the tick-borne spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi as the cause of multiple persisting complaints including neurocognitive abnormalities and chronic musculoskeletal pain.”

 “The most recent piece of this puzzle, published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine, was the determination that what seemed to be persistent disease and relapse actually was a new infection. In that study, Robert B. Nadelman, MD, of New York Medical College in Valhalla, and colleagues conducted genotype analyses of an outer surface protein of B. burgdorferi from 17 patients who had had more than one episode of the pathognomonic erythema migrans rash. In the 22 paired episodes of Lyme disease in this group of patients, not a single one was found to have the same surface protein genotype in either skin or blood cultures for the two episodes. Moreover, the recurrent skin lesions most often developed 1 or 2 years after the initial episode, and did so in the summer months when primary infections are most likely to occur, implying that the individuals had been reinfected.”

Shrew. Photo by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

“In particular, these researchers reported, the continuing expansion of the incidence and geography of Lyme disease may reflect a shift in predator patterns throughout North America. The near-extinction of the gray wolf has allowed coyotes to move to a dominant niche in the food chain, which has resulted in a sharp decrease in the population of red foxes, a favored prey of the coyote. This, in turn, has led to a rise in the numbers of foxes’ smaller prey, such as the white-footed mouse, the Eastern chipmunk, and two types of shrew – the very animals that are responsible for the infection of up to 90% of ticks with B. burgdorferi.” – For complete article see http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/GeneralInfectiousDisease/36629

Rabies:

Florida 12/28/12 Suwannee County: Health officials have issued a Rabies Alert after a raccoon found in the area west of County Road 49 and south of 296^th Street, which is southeast of Branford, tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wtxl.com/news/rabies-alert-issued-in-suwannee-county/article_418ece86-510f-11e2-8425-001a4bcf6878.html

Massachusetts 12/28/12 Middlesex County: A cat that has been roaming around the Vernon Street area in the center of Framingham and bit a person on Dec. 22^nd has tested positive for rabies. The animal is described as a young adult domestic short-hair gray tiger. Officials do not know if the cat was feral or a pet and are encouraging anyone bitten or scratched by the animal to seek medical advice immediately. – See http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/framingham/2012/12/framingham_officials_warn_resi.html

Pennsylvania 12/27/12 citizenstandard.com: by Rebecca Zemencik – Tri-Valley school officials have reported that approximately 27 Mahantongo Elementary students had come in contact with a stray cat that was determined to have rabies earlier this month. A special meeting was held Tuesday, Dec. 18, in the Mahantongo all-purpose room with representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control to discuss the facts about rabies and to clear up any questions or concerns that parents had. According to Superintendent Mark D. Snyder, sometime between Tuesday, Dec. 4 and Wednesday, Dec. 5, there was a gray, striped farm cat from an adjacent property that had been on school property in the area of the playground and several students had come in contact with the cat. Dr. Amanda Beudoin, DVM, PhD, Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, serving a fellowship with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, assured parents that just because their children may have petted the cat, they would not be susceptible to contracting rabies. “Even though a cat licks itself, a person would not contract rabies by just petting the animal,” said Dr. Beudoin. “However, if that student had a cut or an open wound on their hand, then they should be treated with the rabies vaccines.” Approximately 20 parents attended the meeting and most parents confirmed that they had their children treated as a precautionary measure. Rabies is the type of disease that until symptoms appear it is too late then to treat the disease and death will occur. Mahantongo Elementary Nurse Paula Morgan was actually bitten by the cat and has been undergoing shots every so many days since the incident. – For complete article see http://citizenstandard.com/news/rabies-concerns-addressed-1.1420979

Texas 12/28/12 Navarro County: A small, 18-month-old dog belonging to a family with a small child in Blooming Grove has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.athensreview.com/breakingnews/x2056568811/State-confirms-Navarro-County-rabies-case

West Nile Virus (WNV):

National 12/11/12 cdc.gov: As of December 11, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 5,387 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 243 deaths, have been reported to CDC. Of these, 2,734 (51%) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as meningitis or encephalitis) and 2,653 (49%) were classified as non-neuroinvasive disease. The 5,387 cases reported thus far in 2012 is the highest number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the second week in December since 2003. Eighty percent of the cases have been reported from 13 states (Texas, California, Louisiana, Illinois, Mississippi, South Dakota, Michigan, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, Ohio, and New York) and a third of all cases have been reported from Texas. – This will be the last update for 2012 until final data are available in the spring of 2013. – For further details and maps see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

 

COYOTE attacks on PETS increasing in KANSAS ~ MOUNTAIN LION report from MISSOURI ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from CDC National, AL, IL, LA, & NY ~ RABIES reports from CA, CO, NJ, NC, & VA ~ CDC REPORTS: ZOONOTIC DISEASE summary for week ending November 3, 2012.

Coyote. Courtesy National Park Service.

Kansas 11/07/12 Sedgwick County: Several veterinary clinics in Wichita report rising incidents of coyote attacks on pets. Dr. Brock Lofgreen said “Over the past few weeks I just counted four in my head that I saw over the last two weeks. I know we’ve had more than that…” – See http://www.ksn.com/news/local/story/Coyotes-are-attacking-pets-in-and-around-Wichita/sHdKE4RrykKkm3Iq_Eaf4w.cspx

Mountain Lion Sightings:

Missouri 11/09/12 Reynolds and Ripley counties: State officials have confirmed trail camera photos taken recently of a mountain lion in each county. One was taken in Reynolds County’s Current River Conservation Area south of Ellington, the other in northeast Ripley County. – See http://www.waynecojournalbanner.com/reynolds_county/news/article_3b8f1e16-2a93-11e2-aa43-0019bb30f31a.html

West Nile Virus (WNV):

National 11/06/12 cdc.gov: Update – As of November 6, 2012, 48 states have reported WNV infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 5,054 cases of WNV disease in people, including 228 deaths, have been reported to CDC. Of these, 2,559 (51%) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as meningitis or encephalitis) and 2,495 (49%) were classified as non-neuroinvasive disease. The 5,054 cases reported thus far in 2012 is the highest number of WNV disease cases reported to CDC through the first week in November since 2003. Almost 80 percent of the cases have been reported from 12 states (Texas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, South Dakota, Michigan, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, Ohio, and Arizona) and over a third of all cases have been reported from Texas. – For further details see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

Alabama 11/06/12 usgs.gov: Update – State health officials have confirmed 43 human cases of WNV throughout the state this year, including one death. – For a breakdown of cases by county see http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov/wnv_al_human.html

Illinois 11/08/12 Kane County: Health officials confirm an Aurora man, 64, has been identified as the 12^th human case of WNV in the county this year. State officials report 245 human cases statewide, including 10 deaths. – See http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/16248952-418/another-west-nile-case-brings-kane-county-total-to-12-in-2012.html

Louisiana 11/05/12 dhh.louisiana.gov: Update – State health officials today confirmed six new WNV human cases, urging Louisiana residents to continue to Fight the Bite. No deaths from the disease occurred this week. So far, there have been 344 human cases and 13 deaths from the disease reported this year. There are two new neuroinvasive disease cases reported this week, from East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes. There are four new West Nile Fever cases, from Calcasieu (1), East Baton Rouge (2) and West Baton Rouge (1) parishes. – See http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2686

New York 11/08/12 Suffolk County: Health officials confirm the county’s 5^th human case of WNV this year in a Babylon resident under the age of 55 who was hospitalized but has since recovered. This brings to 19 the total number of WNV human cases confirmed on Long Island this year, including one elderly resident who died. – See http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/suffolk-reports-fifth-case-of-west-nile-1.4202655

Rabies:

California 11/08/12 Los Angeles County: Officials report that two more bats found in the Santa Clara Valley in the past few weeks have tested positive for rabies. This brings the total number of rabies cases in the county to 55 this year, which is a record number since testing began in 1961. – See http://scvnews.com/2012/11/08/two-more-rabid-bats-in-scv-last-for-2012/

Colorado 11/08/12 Larimer County: A skunk trapped in the vicinity of the Residence Inn near the Outlet Mall in Loveland  has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.noco5.com/story/20047511/skunk-found-in-loveland-tests-positive-for-rabies

New Jersey 11/08/12 Burlington County: A raccoon found in the vicinity of Kanabe Drive in Westampton Township has tested positive for rabies. – See http://sj.sunne.ws/2012/11/08/rabies-case-found-in-area/

North Carolina 11/08/12 Brunswick County: A fox that ran from the woods on Oak Island Wednesday and bit a Mercer Street resident who was collecting her mail has tested positive for rabies. – See http://stateportpilot.com/news/article_70ee9c76-29e4-11e2-af93-0019bb2963f4.html

Virginia 11/08/12 Pittsylvania County: Health officials have issued a rabies alert after a skunk found recently in the Deerview Road area of Gretna tested positive for the virus. – See http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-skunk-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-gretna-20121108,0,534621.story

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending November 3, 2012:

Published November 9, 2012/ 61(44); ND-607-ND-620

Anaplasmosis . . . 2 . . . New York (2),

Babesiosis . . . 9 . . . Maine, New York (8),

Giardiasis . . . 100 . . . Alabama (2), Alaska (2), Arizona, Arkansas (5), California (10), Florida (20), Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland (3), Michigan (5), Missouri, New York (24), Ohio (8), Pennsylvania (2), Vermont (4), Virginia (2), Washington (6), West Virginia, Wisconsin,

HME/HGE Undetermined . . . 1 . . . Maryland,

Lyme Disease . . .  100. . .  Alabama, Florida (2), Maine, Maryland (6), New York (61), Ohio, Pennsylvania (17), Tennessee, Vermont (2), Virginia (8),

Rabies (Animal) . . . 17. . . Idaho (2), New York (5), Vermont, Virginia (9),

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Probable) . . . 15 . . . Alabama, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina (8), Virginia (4),

Tularemia . . . 2 . . . Indiana, Oklahoma.

CDC publishes 2011 statistics on LYME DISEASE ~ TICK myths revealed ~ MOUNTAIN LION reports from MOx2, & SD ~ COYOTE reports from IL, & CANADA: ONTARIO ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from TEXASx2 ~ RABIES reports from AL, CA, & NC.

National 11/07/12 cdc.gov: Update – In 2011, 96% of Lyme disease cases were reported from 13 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, & Wisconsin. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the United States–in 2011, it was the 6th most common Nationally Notifiable disease. However this disease does not occur nationwide and is concentrated heavily in the northeast and upper Midwest. – For Tables, Charts, Maps, and Data File see http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/index.html  -  Also, for the September 24, 2012 webinar and transcript for the HHS Federal Research Update on Lyme Disease Diagnostics see  http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/diagnosistreatment/index.html

 

Deer tick.

Ticks:

Maine 11/07/12 bangordailynews.com: Lots of information about ticks and what we, and especially hunters, should know about them. Focus is on Maine, but most applies to ticks in general. – See http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/07/outdoors/maine-tick-myths-revealed/

Mountain Lion Sightings:

Missouri 11/0/12 Taney County: Conservation officials have confirmed a photograph of a mountain lion taken by a trail camera on Oct. 31^st on private land near Branson.  – See http://www.news-leader.com/article/20121107/NEWS01/311070105/Mountain-lion-photographed-near-Branson-missouri?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1

Missouri 11/07/12 St. Charles County: A Lake Saint Louis resident reports seeing a mountain lion before 6 a.m. last week as he drove along Harrier Drive in the Heritage of Hawk Ridge subdivision. He said it was running across the road toward the golf course and continued into the woods. – See http://www.newsmagazinenetwork.com/2012110726962/mountain-lion-sighting-in-heritage-of-hawk-ridge-subdivision/

South Dakota 11/07/12 Custer County: A state wildlife officer has confirmed that a resident of the city of Custer shot and killed a mountain lion that was on his front porch. The officer said the lion may have been after the man’s pets and the shooting was justified. – See http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21731&Itemid=57

Coyote Attacks:

Illinois 11/07/12 Kane, DuPage, Kendall, & Will counties: Police reported today that a small dog was attacked and carried off by coyotes in North Aurora this past weekend. The incident happened in the 2800 block of Sterkel Road, between Kelley and Western drives.  In an incident the previous day, a man walking a dog on a leash in Tanner Trails Park encountered two coyotes near Bauer Road and Schrader Lane, but they did not attack. – See http://geneva.patch.com/articles/coyote-attacks-takes-dog-in-north-aurora

Canada:

Ontario 11/07/12 Ottowa: Police are investigating a potential coyote attack that took place in the Findlay Creek Community on Oct. 24^th after a mother reported that her daughter, 14, had been bitten while in a park. The girl, who is now being treated for possible exposure to rabies, said the animal was injured and walking on only three paws. Residents are being warned to remain alert. – See http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/potential-coyote-attack-spurs-investigations-1.1028900

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Texas 11/06/12 Tarrant County: Health officials have confirmed that a North Richland Hills woman in her 30s is the 11^th person to die of WNV in the county so far this year. A total of 39 people have now died of the disease this year in North Texas. – See http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/Tarrant-County-Reports-11th-West-Nile-Virus-Death-177563001.html

Texas 11/07/12 El Paso County: Public health officials have confirmed a woman, 47, in ZIP code 79912, and a woman, 53, in ZIP code 79907, have tested positive for WNV. This brings the total number of human cases in the county to 30 this year. – See http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/news/two-new-west-nile-cases-brings-annual-total-30/nSzfz/

Rabies:

Alabama 11/07/12 Lee County: A dog left anonymously at Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Opelika over the weekend has tested positive for rabies. The dog, a Chow-mix, bit a clinic technician who is being treated for exposure to the virus. “The concern here is that we have no idea who this dog belongs to,” said Buddy Bruce, the county rabies officer. “Those people who dropped this dog off, have been exposed to it and therefore probably have come in contact with rabies, and they have no idea about it. If these people were bitten by this dog, they’re going to develop rabies and die.” Anyone with information that could identify the dog’s owner is asked to contact Bruce at 334-745-0060. – See http://www2.oanow.com/news/2012/nov/07/dog-left-opelika-clinic-had-rabies-ar-4918554/

California 11/07/12 Trinity County: Health officials confirm that a fox found in the East Weaver area has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.redding.com/news/2012/nov/07/rabies-case-confirmed-trinity-county/

North Carolina 11/06/12 Polk County: Health officials confirm that a fox that attacked a man on Nov. 2^nd in the John Smith Road area of Green Creek has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2012/11/06/rabid-fox-attacks-polk-man/

FLORIDA confirms second case of DENGUE FEVER ~ RABIES reports from ARKANSAS, & IOWA ~ CDC REPORTS: ZOONOTIC DISEASE summary for week ending October 27, 2012.

Florida 11/03/12 examiner.com: by Jim Ford – A second confirmed case of dengue fever was diagnosed in Florida on Friday and health officials are investigating a possible third case.

Seminole County

The first confirmed case was reported earlier this week in Seminole County, while the latest case is in Osceola County. It appears that dengue is now widespread in the local environment. Dengue is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquito becomes infected with dengue virus when it bites a person who has dengue virus in their blood. The person may have no symptoms and may not even be aware they are infected. After about a week, the mosquito can then transmit the virus while biting a healthy person.

Osceola County

There is no prevention other than trying to avoid mosquito bites. Though some people may experience little to no effects, the most common symptoms of dengue include high fever (over 101 degrees Fahrenheit), severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, muscle, joint and bone pain, rash, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of dengue infection. It can be fatal if unrecognized and not properly treated in a timely manner. DHF is caused by infection with the same viruses that cause dengue fever. With good medical management, mortality due to DHF can be less than 1%. – For complete article see http://www.examiner.com/article/dengue-fever-strikes-again-florida

Rabies:

Arkansas 10/20/12 katv.com:  The number of animals that have tested positive for rabies in the state is up to 141 animals. Last year there were 60 rabid animal cases. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, so far this year there have been 115 skunks, 21 bats, two cows and three dogs that tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.katv.com/story/19871433/rabies-cases-up-in-arkansas

Iowa 11/03/12 Polk & Dallas counties: A black cat with a pink collar reportedly bit two people on Beggars’ Night in the downtown Urbandale area, and police say they want help finding it. The incidents occurred on 69th Street north of Douglas Parkway on Tuesday. The bites were serious, said Urbandale Police Sgt. Gary Lang. The victims have started rabies shots. It creates a big problem to have cats wandering around the neighborhood, Lang said. “Cats need to be confined just like dogs,” he said. “We just need to find the owner and see if it’s had its shots.” People have been asked to call 222-3321 if they see the suspected cat.

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending October 27, 2012:

Published November 2, 2012/ 61(43); ND-593-ND-606

Anaplasmosis . . . 6 . . . New York (6),

Babesiosis . . . 5 . . . New York (5),

Ehrlichiosis . . . 4 . . . Florida, New York, North Carolina, Virginia,

Giardiasis . . . 185 . . . Alabama, Alaska (2), Arizona, Arkansas (2), California (28), Florida (25), Georgia (26), Idaho (4), Iowa (4), Maine, Maryland (2), Missouri (9), New York (33), Ohio (11), Oregon (5), Utah, Virginia (2), Washington (26), Wisconsin (2),

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

Hansen Disease (Leprosy) . . . 1 . . . North Carolina, 

Lyme Disease . . .  95. . .  Florida (3), Maine (2), Maryland (5), New York (74), North Carolina (4), Ohio, Tennessee, Vermont (2), Virginia (3),

Rabies (Animal) . . . 67. . . Alabama (2), Arkansas (35), Illinois, Kansas, Maine (3), New York (4), Oklahoma (12), Oregon (2), Texas (7),

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Probable) . . . 25 . . . Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina (16), Oklahoma (3), Tennessee (3), Texas.

COYOTES have PET owners in CANADA’s ALBERTA Province worried ~ FOLLOW-UP REPORT: COYOTE that bit FLORIDA woman had RABIES ~ NOVA SCOTIANs warned that TICKS carrying LYME DISEASE are endemic ~ MOUNTAIN LION reports from ID, IL, & TX ~ EEE & WNV reports from FL, LA, & NV.

Coyote. Courtesy National Park Service.

Canada:

Alberta 10/30/12 Edmonton: A coyote snatched a dog that was being walked by a woman Monday on the Highlands Golf Course just moments after another walker said a coyote had been stalking him and his dogs. The city plans to send a pest management consultant to investigate. – See http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/10/30/edmonton-coyote-attack-highlands.html

Follow-Up Report:

(See: RABIES reports posted October 26, 2012)

Florida 10/29/12 Brevard County: Health officials have confirmed the coyote that attacked and bit a woman in Malabar last week has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20121029/NEWS01/121029017/Coyote-attacked-Malabar-woman-tests-positive-rabies?nclick_check=1

Lyme Disease:

Canada:

Unfed, partially fed and fully engorged nymphs of the blacklegged tick. Note the change in size and colour. Department of Public Health photo.

Nova Scotia 10/26/12 Queens County: South Shore Health Public Health Services has recently notified residents in Mersey Point and neighboring communities that blacklegged ticks and the bacteria that causes Lyme disease are endemic in the Mersey Point area.  This means that blacklegged ticks are likely to continue to be present in the area. “Although the time of year when ticks are active is coming to an end soon, it is important for people to be mindful that when working or playing in grassy, shrubby and wooded areas they should prevent tick exposure,” says Lynda Earle, medical officer of health, South Shore Health . . .

Black-legged tick.

Although there are now six established areas of increased risk within Nova Scotia (Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Halifax and Pictou counties), ticks have been found throughout the province due to their travels on migrating birds. – See http://southshorehealth.ca/latest-news/presence-of-blacklegged-ticks-confirmed-in-mersey-point-area.html

Mountain Lion Sightings:

Idaho 10/29/12 Canyon County: Police in Nampa report that a man walking his dog in the vicinity of 11^th Avenue North and the Ridgecrest Golf Course said he saw a mountain lion following them. – See http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/10/29/2746933/nampa-police-investigate-cougar.html

Illinois 10/30/12 Morgan County: State wildlife officials confirmed Monday that a trail camera photo snapped in the county is that of a mountain lion. This is only the 4^th confirmed sighting of a mountain lion in the state since the 1870s. – See http://www.galesburg.com/news/x2053816422/Cougar-photographed-on-trail-in-central-Illinois

Texas 10/30/12 Kendall County: Residents in Bergheim say a mountain lion has “gone rogue” attacking four dogs recently, three of them fatally. Wildlife officials say they are assessing the situation. – See http://www.kens5.com/news/Mountain-lion-suspected-of-hunting-dogs-in-Bergheim-176500791.html

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

Florida 10/30/12 Wakulla County: Health officials have issued an alert after confirming that more than one horse has tested positive for EEE in the county so far this year. – See http://www.wakulla.com/Wakulla_News/Local_News/Mosquito-Borne_Illness_Advisory_for_Wakulla_County_2012103014463/

Louisiana 10/26/12 dhh.louisiana.gov: Update – State health officials today confirmed 17 new human cases of WNV and one more death from the virus. There are five new neuroinvasive disease cases reported this week, with one each reported from Bossier, Calcasieu, Jefferson, Orleans and West Feliciana parishes. There are 11 new West Nile Fever cases, from Ascension (1), Beauregard (1), Caddo (2), Calcasieu (1), DeSoto (1), East Baton Rouge (4) and Lafourche (1). There was one new asymptomatic case reported this week, from Lafourche Parish. So far, there have been 338 cases and 13 deaths from the disease reported in the state this year. – See http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2675

Nevada 10/30/12 Clark County: Health officials have confirmed that a 29-year-old man in the county has been diagnosed with WNV. This is the 7^th human case of WNV in the county so far this year, including one death. The Southern Nevada Health District also reported WNV positive mosquito pools in several ZIP codes. – For details see http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/oct/30/health-district-reports-7th-west-nile-virus-case-a/