WISCONSIN MAN mauled by BLACK BEAR ~ MONTANA confirms 2 cases of HANTAVIRUS ~ CALIFORNIA university police issue MOUNTAIN LION warning ~ CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE moving toward SHENANDOAH and YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKS ~ RABIES reports from AR, CA, CT, ID, MDx2, NCx2, OH, TX, VA, & WA ~ ANNOUNCEMENT: USDA APHIS meeting re FERAL SWINE damage management.

Black bear. Courtesy U.S. Forest Service.

Wisconsin 05/16/13 greenbaypressgazette.com: by Nathan Phelps – A man was bitten, cut and scratched Wednesday when he was attacked by a black bear on Finch Lane in Silver Cliff in Marinette County. Gerre Ninnemann encountered the bear just before 1:30 p.m. after seeing it go after his dog, according to a Marinette County Sheriff’s Department report. Ninnemann called his dog back to the house and tried to run inside, but the bear ran him down from behind and took him to the ground. The animal started biting and clawing at his back, the report said. Ninnemann was able to get up and make it to the corner of the cabin, but was caught by the animal again.

Marinette County

His wife, Marie, grabbed a shotgun from the home and used it to hit the bear on the head. At that point, Gerre Ninneman again was able to get away from the bear. He used theshotgun to poke it in an effort to keep it away as they retreated into the cabin. The bear continued to circle the cabin and look in the windows, according to the report. A Marinette County deputy shot and killed the bear. A conservation warden took possession of the bear to check for possible rabies, according to the incident report. Gerre Ninneman was taken to Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette for treatment.

Hantavirus:

Gallatin County

Montana 05/17/13 bozemandailychronicle.com: County and state officials today confirmed two new cases of hantavirus and the first 2013 death in the state from the illness. A Gallatin County woman in her 20s died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and a Carbon County man in his 40s was diagnosed with it, the Department of Health and Human Services reported.

Carbon County

The Gallatin County woman is the 10th person in Montana to die from hantavirus. Both people appear to have had recent exposure to rodents. There have been 37 reported cases of hantavirus in Montana since 1993. With one or two cases a year, Montana is second only to New Mexico in the number of cases. – For further details read May 18 report at www.dailychronicle.com

Mountain Lion Sightings:

California 05/14/13 sanluisobispo.com: by Julia Hickey – A mountain lion sighting at Cal Poly on Monday night has brought the number of sightings at or near the university to four this month. All of the sightings have taken place near Poly Canyon Village, said George Hughes, chief of police for the University Police Department. “This mountain lion has been seen on the hillside. That’s its natural habitat; it’s not unusual,” Hughes said. The first sighting took place May 2 on Stenner Creek Road; followed by two sightings Sunday near the Poly Canyon Village parking structure; and a fourth sighting at 9:30 p.m. on Monday night in the same area near the structure. Police are assuming that all sightings are of the same mountain lion, Hughes said.  Although mountain lions are secretive and attacks on humans are rare, police say there are considered threats. – For recommendations see http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/05/14/2508213/mountain-lion-poly-canyon-village.html

Chronic Wasting Disease:

Virginia 05/14/13 dailyprogress.com: by Aaron Richardson -  A deadly brain disorder affecting deer, moose and elk is on the region’s doorstep, and its spread could be impossible to stop. Chronic wasting disease, a progressive condition that can remain idle for years before killing the infected animal, has been found in deer 25 miles from the Shenandoah National Park’s northern border, said park biologist Rolf Gubler. The park stretches northeast from outside Waynesboro to Front Royal. Experts say there is no evidence that chronic wasting can be transmitted to humans. But its effect on deer, as well as moose and elk, is devastating — symptoms include dramatic weight loss, tremors and teeth-grinding — and the disease is incurable. Park officials held meetings on chronic wasting earlier this spring in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and Washington, and they are working on a plan to contain the infection. That could include thinning the heaviest populations of whitetail deer in the park. – For complete article see http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/chronic-wasting-disease-in-deer-likely-to-move-farther-east/article_173a965a-bcea-11e2-ad43-0019bb30f31a.html

Wyoming 05/14/13 thewildlifenews.com: Information gleaned from the Wyoming Game & Fish Department indicates that deadly Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is advancing towards western Wyoming’s winter elk feed grounds and Yellowstone National Park. A new map from the Greater Yellowstone Coalition shows the areas where the disease has been detected in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are within 45 miles of winter elk feedgrounds and about 40 miles from Yellowstone Park’s northeast corner. The 2012 information reveals the farthest advance west of CWD in deer in Wyoming yet. Last year, three mule deer were found infected with CWD in Green River, Wyo.; an infected moose was found near Idaho in Star Valley, Wyo., in 2008. Veteran conservationist Lloyd Dorsey of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition said the disease is now essentially on the doorstep of the elk feed grounds, including the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole. Dorsey notes that deer from the endemic disease areas to the east and south migrate north and west to elk herd units in the upper Green River and Jackson Hole, where most of the winter feed grounds are located. For more information on the map depicting CWD areas and Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s efforts to phase out the artificial elk feeding areas and transition to healthier, free ranging wildlife, see http://www.greateryellowstone.org/elkrefuge – For complete article see http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2013/05/17/chronic-wasting-disease-closes-in-on-yellowstone/

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Mississippi 05/15/13 Madison County: State health officials have confirmed the first human case of WNV reported in the state this year in early April. Last year, 247 cases of WNV were reported statewide, including 5 fatalities. – See http://www.dailyleader.com/news/article_e7036d56-bd8c-11e2-97b0-0019bb2963f4.html

Rabies:

Arkansas 05/16/13 Garland County: Officials confirm nine skunks have tested positive for rabies in the county in the last three months. Pope County has the highest in the state with 13 cases, and statewide Arkansas had more confirmed cases by May of this year than in the entire year of 2011. With 90 confirmed cases and the summer months still ahead, the Natural State is on track to surpass the 131 cases recorded in 2012. – See http://arkansasmatters.com/fulltext?nxd_id=663792

California 05/14/13 Santa Clara County: A bat found April 12^th on the Los Gatos Creek Trail between Lark Avenue and Charter Oaks Drive has tested positive for rabies. – See http://campbell.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/bat-found-on-los-gatos-creek-trail-tests-positive-fore594fe7b41

Connecticut 05/14/13 New Haven County: A raccoon found May 12^th in the vicinity of Pope and Hawley roads in Oxford has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.voicesnews.com/articles/2013/05/14/arts_and_living/pets_and_wildlife/doc519274565e1f2493782011.txt

Idaho 05/14/13 Kootenai County: A bat found on an interior staircase of a home in the county has tested positive for rabies. Everyone living in the home is now being treated for potential exposure to the virus. – See http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/may/14/rabid-bat-flies-north-idaho-home/

Maryland 05/16/13 Garrett County: Seven people are being treated for exposure to rabies after a goat in the southern area of the county tested positive for the virus. – See http://times-news.com/local/x730880365/Second-rabies-case-in-Garrett-involves-goat

Maryland 05/14/13 carrollcountytimes.com: by Kelcie Pegher – The Carroll County Health Department is seeking a medium-sized dog with a black coat that bit a person at Memorial Park in Taneytown May 5, according to a release from Carroll County Government. Joe Mancuso, the rabies coordinator for Carroll County said from the description that was given to him, it does not appear as though the dog had rabies.  If you have any information to help locate the dog or its owner, contact the Carroll County Health Department at 410-876-1884, or the Carroll County Humane Society at 410-848-4810.

North Carolina 05/15/13 Henderson County: A gray fox that attacked and bit a woman who was working in the garden at her home on Penny Drive in Hendersonville has tested positive for rabies. The fox bit her several times on the left hand and right leg. Later that night, the fox bit a man in the vicinity of Sweetwater Hills Drive and fortunately the man managed to kill the animal with his flashlight. Both bite victims are being treated for exposure to the virus. – See http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20130515/NEWS/130519867?p=2&tc=pg

North Carolina 05/15/13 Guilford County: A fox that bit two children on Sunday who were sitting on the deck at their apartment on Guyer Street in High Point has tested positive for rabies. One was bitten on the hand, the other on the leg. – See http://www.news-record.com/news/1225066-91/rabid-fox-bites-two-children

Ohio 05/16/13 Mahoning County: A raccoon found in the vicinity of Cherry Hill Place in Boardman has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/may/16/second-rabid-raccoon-found-in-mahoning-c/?nw

Texas 05/16/13 Taylor and Jones counties: A skunk found in the 3400 block of Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene has tested positive for rabies. Three unvaccinated dogs had been in contact with the skunk. Last month, two rabid skunks were captured within the city’s limits. – See http://www.reporternews.com/news/2013/may/16/third-skunk-in-abilene-this-year-with-rabies/

Virginia 05/14/13 Pittsylvania County: A raccoon found in the vicinity of Laniers Mill Road has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/article_ccdf3da2-bcd7-11e2-843e-001a4bcf6878.html

Washington 05/14/13 Franklin County: A bat that bit an 11-month-old child twice in Pasco has tested positive for rabies. The child and her grandmother, who removed the bat from the child’s back, are being treated for exposure to the virus. The bat few from the deck umbrella as it was being opened. – See http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/05/14/2597353/rabid-bat-bites-pasco-baby.html

Announcement:

On Thursday, May 23^rd, APHIS’ Wildlife Services and Veterinary Services programs will host a scoping meeting to provide more information about a national approach to feral swine damage management and take comments from participating stakeholders.  Anyone who is unable to attend in person can join the meeting via a live Webcast.  Additional meeting information is available on the Wildlife Services’ Web site at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/feral_swine/index.shtml.  A Notice announcing APHIS’ intent to prepare an environmental impact statement to examine the potential impacts of alternatives for feral swine damage management was published in today’s Federal Register. The public comment period closes June 12.  http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS_FRDOC_0001-1436.

Event Logistics:

Date:  Thursday, May 23, 2013 ~ Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT

Location: 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737

CANADIAN has 300 stitches after BLACK BEAR attack ~ COYOTES snatch DOGS and confront PEOPLE in CALIFORNIA municipal park ~ CALIFORNIA Park Ranger attacked by MOUNTAIN LION in Redwood National Park ~ RACCOONS responsible for frequent MICHIGAN beach closings ~ RABIES reports from AZ, NY, NCx2, OK, & VAx3.

Black Bear photo by Lynn Chamberlain, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Canada:

Ontario 05/12/13 torontosun.com: by Len Gillis – Two Timmins, Ont., women scared off a 400-pound black bear attacking a man after it had killed his dog and left him with wounds that needed 300 stitches. “I could feel his teeth rubbing against my skull. That was the worst feeling ever,” said Azougar, 30, said Sunday from his hospital bed at Lady Minto Hospital in Cochrane, Ont. Azougar was attacked and mauled by the bear early Saturday as he sat on the front step of his remote cabin eating breakfast. He was rescued by the two Timmins “angels”, campers who had been driving by on a bush road and heard his screams. They were able to scare the bear away and drive the bleeding Azougar to hospital. “I feel good. I am in a little bit of pain, but I’m OK,” said Azougar, who had been given a shot of morphine to ease the pain of the more than 300 stitches needed to close dozens of puncture wounds.

Black bear. Photo by Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, Azougar said he still plans to enjoy life in the outdoors. He moved to Cochrane, Ont., from Toronto last month, to set up an Internet entrepreneur business. “I was having breakfast on my front porch,” he said as he described the tiny eight-by-sixteen foot cabin on a remote bush road, about 10 kilometres south of Cochrane. “Out of nowhere, I could hear this thud, this vibration on the ground,” he said. “Then there was this bear coming towards me.”His German Shepherd rushed at the bear and as the two animals fought, Azougar ran into the cabin and slammed the door but the bear followed. “He started rushing the window, breaking the window and chipping off wood beside the window,” Azougar said.“He made it through (the window) and I ran out,” he said, with the bear in pursuit. “After about 30 metres, he took me to the ground.” Azougar said the animal slammed him down with its front paws, and began clawing and biting. “He knocked me down and I covered my head. He took my shoulder apart, then he peeled the skin off my head and started biting my skull,” Azougar recalled.“I could feel his teeth rubbing against my skull. That was the worst feeling ever. I jammed my thumb into his eye and so he went back to my shoulder.” “I was just screaming. I could feel my flesh being pulled by his teeth,” he said, adding that a good portion of his scalp was torn off.“I just thought I was dying. He was trying to drag me into the bush, like where he killed the dog.”

Azougar said he thought he was going to pass out, when suddenly there was a lull in the savage attack and the sound of a blaring car horn. “Out of nowhere these two ladies showed up in a car. After that the bear ran away. I don’t know who they were,” Azougar said. “They just showed up out of nowhere.” “The women that saved, me, no I don’t know them. I would like to know them, to meet them,” Azougar said. “If you meet them, you thank those angels for me. They are my angels. Without them I wouldn’t be alive.” Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of Natural Resources responded to the bear attack call immediately Saturday and killed the bear. – See original article, photo, and map at http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/12/women-scare-off-bear-attacking-man-in-northern-ontario-campgrounds

Coyote Attacks:

California 05/10/13 signalscv.com: by Jim Holt – A coyote snatched a dog from a girl’s arms in Valencia Summit Park, where sheriff’s deputies and animal control workers responded Friday on a report of a jogger chased by a coyote, officials confirmed. “Apparently they found a coyote that people are telling us is aggressive,” said Sgt. Rich Nagler of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. “We went out there and animal control was called.” The report of a coyote chasing a jogger at Summit Park came in about 8 a.m. Friday. A man walking two large dogs reportedly came to the woman’s aid and chased off the coyote, investigators said. No one was hurt. The incidents follow an attack Tuesday at the same park in which a coyote grabbed and killed a dog being walked on a leash held by a 6-year-old girl, said Evelina Villa, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. – For complete article see http://www.signalscv.com/section/36/article/95812/

Mountain Lion Attack:

California 05/10/13 times-standard.com: At approximately 7:30 pm on Thursday May 9, 2013, an off-duty Park Ranger was attacked by a mountain lion on Crescent Beach within Redwood National and State Parks. Crescent Beach is located off Enderts Beach Road just south of Crescent City, CA. The ranger was fishing on the beach accompanied by his dog. The park ranger witnessed his dog being chased by an animal that he quickly identified as a mountain lion. He yelled at the lion as the animal approached him. The lion attacked the ranger who responded by striking it with his fishing pole and kicking the animal several times. The lion swiped at the ranger at least once, tearing his jeans, but without causing any bodily injury. The lion eventually ran off. Both the park ranger and his dog were unhurt in the attack.

The park ranger contacted California Fish and Wildlife Officers and National Park Rangers who immediately responded to the scene. Enderts Beach Road and the Nickel Creek Campground were cleared during the search for the mountain lion. Both have been re-opened to the public today. The lion was spotted hiding in driftwood near the location of the original attack around 9:00 pm and was dispatched by Fish & Wildlife Officers around 9:15 pm. The attacking animal was a sub-adult which is classified as a younger, not fully grown animal, but independent and no longer dependent on its mother. The lion carcass has been sent to the California Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab in Sacramento or further analysis. More details on the age, gender, size and condition of the animal will be released after further analysis. – For complete article see http://www.times-standard.com/news/ci_23216890/mountain-lion-attack-at-crescent-beach-redwood-national

Raccoons:

Michigan 05/12/13 seattlepi.com: Officials say they have found the source of bacterial pollution that has caused the frequent closing of a beach on Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, and a possible solution. Feces from raccoons that live in nearby storm drains are the source of high e-coli levels at East Bay Park in Traverse City, officials say. They say a $768,000 grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant will help them build a filtering system they say should reduce the pollution. Sarah U’Ren of the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay says storm drain cameras spotted hundreds of pounds of raccoon feces at the site.

Rabies:

Arizona 05/10/3 Gila County: A Rabies Alert has been issued after a fox and a coyote that were found in the vicinity of Forest and Mule Track roads near Young tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2013/may/10/coyote-foxes-positive-rabies-young/

New York 05/09/13 Chautauqua County: A bat captured by a resident of Ellington, who awoke to find the animal flying around the room, has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130509/CITYANDREGION/130509217/1010

North Carolina 05/10/13 Mecklenburg County: A kitten that was a domestic pet living with a family in the 28205 ZIP code area, which includes Plaza Midwood, has tested positive for rabies. The kitten was not eating and was exhibiting strange behavior. The family is receiving post exposure rabies treatment. – See http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Plaza-Midwood-pet-tests-positive-for-rabies-207010721.html

North Carolina 05/10/13 Scotland County: A fox that attacked a woman earlier this week as she walked to her car in the vicinity of Havelock Drive in the Leisure Living subdivision of Laurinburg has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/view/full_story/22538788/article-Woman-bitten-by-rabid-fox?instance=popular

Oklahoma 05/10/13 Oklahoma County: A 10-week-old puppy held in foster care for the Oklahoma Humane Society by an Oklahoma City family tested positive for rabies after suddenly becoming aggressive and biting a family member. – See article and video at http://www.koco.com/news/oklahomanews/okc/family-discovers-10weekold-foster-puppy-has-rabies/-/11777584/20095078/-/ui15jdz/-/index.html

Virginia 05/10/13 Louisa County: A stray dog described as a Husky mix found late Tuesday on Dusty Road in Bumpass has tested positive for rabies. Anyone who may have been in contact with the dog should seek immediate medical advice. – See http://www.wric.com/story/22216358/dog-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-louisa-county

Virginia 05/10/13 Norfolk: A raccoon that attacked a vaccinated dog in the vicinity of Rolleston Avenue recently has tested positive for rabies. – See http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/raccoon-tests-positive-rabies-norfolk

Virginia 05/09/13 Newport News: A sick raccoon found in the vicinity of Briarfield Road and Mercy Boulevard earlier this month has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/newport_news/raccoon-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-nn

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/

NEBRASKA resident shoots stalking MOUNTAIN LION ~ WASHINGTON health officials asking people to send in TICKS ~ ARIZONA county finds this year’s first WEST NILE VIRUS mosquito ~ CDC publishes “Diagnosis and Management of Q FEVER” ~ RABIES reports from CO, GA, NY, & TXx2 ~ ANNOUNCEMENT: Three organizations accepting applications for AWARDS.

Mountain lion. Courtesy U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Nebraska 03/28/13 Dawes County: A resident of the Pine Ridge reported that he shot and killed a mountain lion on Wednesday after attempts to scare the animal off failed. The lion, which displayed no apparent fear, was walking along a creek about 20 yards from the man and about 150 yards from the man’s home. The incident occurred about 10 miles south of Chadron. – See http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/mountain-lion-killed-in-dawes-county/article_73019051-2f3b-533f-93ce-7e1406102683.html

Ticks:

Female Rocky Mountain Wood Tick. Courtesy CDC.

Washington 03/27/13 coh.wa.gov: News Release – Tick season is in full swing in western Washington, and it’s kicking into gear in the eastern side of the state. The Department of Health invites people all over the state to send ticks to the agency for a project to learn more about what types of ticks live in Washington. “Different types of ticks carry different diseases,” explains Liz Dykstra, public health entomologist for the Department of Health.

Female Western Black-legged Tick. Courtesy CDC.

“We’re asking people to help us learn more by sending us ticks for identification so we understand the risks for disease in different areas.” Washington has relatively few cases of tick-borne disease, yet each year a few cases of relapsing fever, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are reported to state health officials. – For complete release see http://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/2013NewsReleases/13037TickSeason.aspx

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Arizona 03/28/13 Maricopa County: Officials confirm the first positive WNV mosquito sample, meaning the virus is getting an early start this year. Last year the county had 76 lab-confirmed human cases of WNV including two related fatalities. – See http://www.azfamily.com/news/health/Early-start-for-Maricopa-Countys-West-Nile-season-200430001.html

Q Fever:

National 03/29/13 cdc.gov: Q fever, a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, can cause acute or chronic illness in humans. Transmission occurs primarily through inhalation of aerosols from contaminated soil or animal waste. No licensed vaccine is available in the United States. Because many human infections result in nonspecific or benign constitutional symptoms, establishing a diagnosis of Q fever often is challenging for clinicians. This report provides the first national recommendations issued by CDC for Q fever recognition, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, treatment, management, and reporting for health-care personnel and public health professionals. The guidelines address treatment of acute and chronic phases of Q fever illness in children, adults, and pregnant women, as well as management of occupational exposures. These recommendations will be reviewed approximately every 5 years and updated to include new published evidence. – See http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6203a1.htm?s_cid=rr6203a1_e

Rabies:

Colorado 03/28/13 Weld County: A skunk found in a neighborhood south of Lee Lake in between Highway 257 and Weld County Road 76 in Windsor has tested positive for rabies. As the animal had bite marks officials are concerned that a domestic or some other wild animal may also be infected and spreading the virus through the area. – See http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130328/NEWS01/303280028/Rabies-concerns-increase-second-skunk-found-near-Windsor

Georgia 03/27/13 Fayette County: A raccoon shot be a sheriff’s deputy off Padgett Road and Lone Oak Drive a short distance south of GA HWY 85 has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/03-27-2013/rabies-confirmed-lone-oak-dr

New York 03/27/13 Lewis County: A skunk in Lowville reported to be acting strangely has tested positive for rabies. An unvaccinated domestic animal that was in direct contact with the skunk had to be euthanized. – See http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/Skunk-Tests-Positive-For-Rabies-In-Lewis-County-200227271.html

Texas 03/27/13 McLennan County: A feral cat that bit and scratched a Waco resident on March 24^th in the 3700 block of South 3^rd Street has tested positive for rabies. The cat was in the victim’s yard with her animals and when she tried to pick it up the cat became very aggressive. – See http://www.kcentv.com/story/21811264/cat-attacks-woman-tests-positive-for-rabies-in

Texas 03/28/13 McLennan County: A skunk found with two dogs by a property owner in the 16000 block of Wortham Bend Road in Waco earlier this week has tested positive for rabies. This is the second confirmed rabies infection in the county this year. – See http://www.wacotrib.com/news/environment/second-rabies-case-confirmed-in-waco-area/article_94b842af-c4d0-5717-833c-767794f97e3d.html

~ AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT ~

We would like to inform you that the following three awards are currently open for applications. If you are interested, you should apply directly to the organisation involved. We hope you find the information useful.

1. Rabies in the Americas Award: GARC is pleased to announce that applications are welcomed from students in Asia and Africa for financial support to attend the 24^th annual Rabies in the Americas (RITA) meeting in October 2013. Deadline: July 12th, 2013. For more details, see http://rabiescontrol.net/news/news-archive/announcing-financial-support-award-for-a-student-to-attend-rita.html

2. World Veterinary Day Award, offered by the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). This recognises the most successful celebration of the veterinary profession. It applies to national veterinary associations, either on their own, or in collaboration with other selected veterinary bodies. This year’s theme is ‘Vaccination’. Deadline: May 1st, 2013. For further details, see http://www.worldvet.org/taxonomy/term/38

3. Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs: Award to attend the 5th International Symposium on Non-Surgical Contraceptive Methods of Pet Population Control in Oregon, US. This is open to veterinary students, interns and residents currently enrolled in a college or school of veterinary medicine anywhere in the world. Deadline: April 6, 2013. For more details -http://www.acc-d.org/5th%20Symp-Student%20Contest

Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for the latest news, campaign information and updates on projects from our community around the world – http://www.rabiescontrol.net/support-us/sign-up-to-our-newsletter.html.

Warm regards,

The Global Alliance for Rabies Control Campaigns Team

www.rabiesalliance.org

Celebrity GRAY WOLF OR-7 returns to OREGON ~ COYOTES killed in COLORADO after report of attack on 5-year-old BOY ~ MOUNTAIN LION killed in COLORADO after snatching and eating leashed PET ~ HORSE at Santa Anita Park in CALIFORNIA found with EQUINE HERPES VIRUS-1 ~ FOLLOW-UP REPORT: Fatal HUMAN RABIES case in MARYLAND due to kidney transplant ~ Other RABIES reports from CT, MO, TX, VA, & WV ~ ANNOUNCEMENT: International Symposia on ENTOMOLOGY

Gray wolf. Photo by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Oregon 03/13/13 dfw.state.or.us: Update – Wolf OR7 crossed the state border into southwest Klamath County, Ore. sometime yesterday evening. He first crossed into California on Dec. 28, 2011. ODFW does not post daily location information on OR7 or any GPS-collared wolf. Wolves throughout Oregon are protected by the state Endangered Species Act. West of Hwys 395-78-95, wolves are also protected by the federal ESA. OR7 may cross back into California and use areas in both states. ODFW will continue to monitor his location and coordinate with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Fish and Game. – More information here: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/wolf/ and http://californiagraywolf.wordpress.com/

Coyote Attacks:

Colorado 03/15/13 kdvr.com: by David Mitchell – Two coyotes were shot and killed in the city of Boulder after a report of a coyote biting a 5-year-old boy. Boulder and Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials shot a female coyote Tuesday night and a male coyote Thursday night. Both animals were on city open space east of Foothills Parkway and near the Boulder Creek Path. The aggressive incident happened last weekend and was reported Monday according to a statement released Friday. A father told the city he was with two 5-year-old boys who were playing near the creek when two coyotes surrounded them. As one of the boys ran to his father, one of the coyotes chased him and bit his leg. “The bite resulted in a scratch, but fortunately, didn’t puncture the skin,” the statement says.

The city just completed a four-week hazing program for coyotes designed to reduce their activity and reports of them approaching or chasing people. One other bite had been reported. “When a coyote attacks and bites a human, the situation has to be addressed,” said Larry Rogstad, area wildlife manager for Boulder Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “From the patterns of behavior over the last month and a half and the recent bite, we felt these coyotes presented a risk to humans and, therefore, it was necessary to remove them. Thanks to a detailed report from the father, we are confident that we identified the same coyotes and that they were animals already known to resource officers from both organizations.” Both the city and wildlife officials will keep an eye on coyote activity in Boulder. Aggressive incidents towards humans should be reported to Boulder at 303-441-3333 or CPW at 303-291-7227.

Mountain Lion Sightings:

Colorado 03/15/13 gazette.com: by Ryan Maye Handy – A ravenous and bold mountain lion was captured and euthanized Wednesday, hours after it snatched and ate a leashed miniature Daschund that was on a walk with its owner. The big cat had been lurking in southwestern Colorado Springs neighborhoods since January before Colorado Parks and Wildlife rangers set a trap Wednesday night and caught it. Hours earlier, around 7 a.m., a man was walking his dog in a park in the area when the mountain lion snatched the dog, yanking its leash out of the man’s hands, and fled with it. Earlier this month, rangers had tried to chase the mountain lion out of the neighborhood and back into the wilderness, said Michael Seraphin, a spokesman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. – For complete article see http://www.gazette.com/articles/lion-152323-dog-mountain.html

Equine Herpes Virus-1:

California 03/15/13 harnesslink.com: Ontario Racing Commission officials have confirmed that a horse at Santa Anita Park has been diagnosed with Equine Herpes Virus-1. All horses from California being shipped into Woodbine Racetrack shall require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection dated within 24 hours prior to shipping. – For further details see http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=104282

Follow-Up Report:

(See MARYLAND resident dies of RABIES posted 03/14/13)

Maryland 03/14/13 washingtonpost.com: by David Brown – A Maryland man who two weeks ago became the state’s first fatal case of rabies in nearly 40 years contracted the infection from a kidney transplant, according to two people familiar with the case. Three people in other states received organs from the same donor, but their conditions were not immediately known. The recipient died at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington after being in the hospital for about a month, according to the people with knowledge of the case, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. He had received a kidney from a Florida man in an operation at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in 2011. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared rabies virus obtained from the recipient and determined that it was genetically identical to the virus recovered from the organ’s donor, said the two people involved in the case. CDC officials were expected to announce some details of the case Friday. – For complete report see http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/maryland-rabies-case-came-from-kidney-transplant-sources-say/2013/03/14/4f47361e-8cf9-11e2-9f54-f3fdd70acad2_story.html

Other Rabies Reports:

Connecticut 03/14/13 Fairfield County: Health officials have confirmed that a raccoon picked up this week in the Hill Farm Road area of the City of Fairfield has tested positive for rabies. – See http://longisland.news12.com/news/rabies-infected-raccoon-captured-fairfield-health-dept-cautions-residents-1.4813007?firstfree=yes

Missouri 03/14/13 Cape Girardeau County: According to public health officials, a skunk captured in the northwest part of the county has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.semissourian.com/story/1949973.html

Texas 03/16/13 Tarrant County: A skunk reported to be displaying unusual behavior in the vicinity of Wedglea Drive in north Bedford has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_82005.shtml

Virginia 03/14/13 Arlington County: A raccoon seen fighting with two dogs in the water at Glen Carlyn Park last weekend has tested positive for rabies. Anyone who may have had contact with a raccoon in the park in the past week should seek immediate medical attention. – See http://clarendon.patch.com/articles/county-possible-rabies-exposure-around-glen-carlyn-park

West Virginia 03/14/13 Mercer County: A raccoon that fought with a dog last week in the Princeton Avenue area of Bluefield has tested positive for rabies. The dog and a person who tried to intervene were both exposed to the virus. – See http://bdtonline.com/editorials/x2101728847/Human-exposure

~ ANNOUNCEMENT ~

Photo by Bugboy52.40. Wikimedia Commons.

The International Symposia on Entomology (ISE-2013), hosted by OMICS Group Conference, will be held in Orlando, Florida, September 4-6, 2013. The main theme of the conference is “Exploring the description of new species, geographical distribution, genome organization and diseases related to insects”. Exhibitor sponsors are welcome. For further details see http://www.omicsgroup.com/conferences/entomology-2013/cfa.php or e-mail johnross@omicsgroup.net

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

Bat colony. Courtesy National Park Service.

Travel Warnings:

Middle East

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

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

CDC Coronavirus Investigation:

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

Mountain Lion Sightings:

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

Rabies:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WYOMING testing new VACCINE in ELK hoping to prevent CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE ~ WOLF pack in MONTANA kills DOG hunting MOUNTAIN LIONS ~ FLORIDA issues EQUINE HERPES VIRUS ALERT ~ RABIES reports from CO, FL, NJ, NC, & TX.

Mating elk. Courtesy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Wyoming 02/19/13 wgfd.wyo.gov: News Release – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has begun a multi-year study at its Thorne-Williams Wildlife Research Unit (formerly Sybille) near Wheatland to evaluate the efficacy of a vaccine against chronic wasting disease. The vaccine was developed in Canada by three leading infectious disease centers. In January, researchers trapped 50 elk calves at Game and Fish’s South Park feedground (south of Jackson) and transported them to the research unit. There, calves were split into two groups. One group was vaccinated and one was an unvaccinated control group. “Previous research has demonstrated that elk will naturally contract chronic wasting disease by being housed at the unit,” said Game and Fish Chief Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Terry Kreeger. “We predict that the vaccinated group will live longer than the control group. It’s important to understand that even if the vaccine does not provide lifelong protection from chronic wasting disease, every extra year of survival the vaccine provides will mean increased production in an affected population.” A parallel vaccine study is being conducted on deer in Colorado. – For complete release see http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/news-1000368.aspx

Wolves:

Montana 02/27/13 ravallirepublic.com: by Perry Backus – In the 20 years that Tom Henderson has been hunting mountain lions with hounds, he’s never had a run-in with wolves. That changed Saturday. It was about 10 a.m. when the hounds he was hunting with treed a lion near Gird Creek, just north of Skalkaho Creek and east of Hamilton, following a two-hour chase. He and his companions were about 100 yards away from the treed lion and the three dogs when they saw a pack of six wolves appear. About five seconds later, Henderson said, a wolf grabbed one of Dan Morris’ hounds by the neck and killed it. “He grabbed it and broke its neck,” Henderson said. “It happened really fast. We started shooting our pistols.”

Henderson said the wolves were initially focused on the dogs and hung around for a few moments before loping off. “That was kind of surprising,” Henderson said. “I think they were pretty focused on the dogs. We were able to get quite a bit closer even after shooting.” With the state’s wolf season still open, Henderson said they could have legally shot them. “All we had were pistols,” he said. “That’s just not very realistic.”This is the second time this winter that wolves have killed mountain lion hunting hounds owned by people in the Bitterroot Valley. Earlier this year, three hounds owned by a Stevensville man were killed in the Ninemile drainage north of Missoula. Henderson said that it’s become a fact of life for lion hunters.

“This is the new normal,” he said. “It’s a risk we take. I’m not a wolf fan, but I’ve come to the conclusion that even with more liberal seasons, wolves are here forever.” “We’re going to have to live with them,” Henderson said. In an effort to cut down on the risk, Henderson said he has been putting bells on his dog’s collars in hopes of keeping wolves at bay from the unnatural noise that the bells produce. – For complete article see http://www.ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_08c8d58e-8089-11e2-b533-001a4bcf887a.html

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1):

Florida 02/24/13 freshfromflorida.com: News Release - A horse participating in the Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS), horse show in Ocala was referred to the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine after showing clinical neurological signs on February 20th. The horse subsequently tested positive for the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), wild-type strain. Currently, the horse is in stable condition and continues to be treated at the University of Florida. There are no additional suspected or confirmed cases at this time.  The Division of Animal Industry is continuing the disease investigation, which includes the HITS show grounds in Ocala, the local index farm and multiple premises that have horses that may have been exposed to the positive horse. No new quarantines have been issued today and the seven quarantines issued since last Thursday remain in place. These quarantines include the index farm, Tent 7 at HITS and five additional premises in Florida; two farms in the Ocala area, one in Pinellas Park, one in St. Augustine and one in Wellington. At this point in the investigation there are no known exposed horses in other states. – For complete release see http://www.freshfromflorida.com/ai/pdf/EHVWebsiteUpdate.pdf

Rabies:

Colorado 02/27/13 Adams County: Health officials have confirmed that a skunk found on private property in Brighton has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22681954/skunk-brighton-tests-positive-rabies

Florida 02/27/13 Brevard County: A man who attempted to pick up a raccoon that was hit by a car and was bitten is now receiving rabies post-exposure treatment. The raccoon, which was hit on State Road 3 about a mile south of the Kennedy Space Center, has tested positive for the virus. – See http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130227/NEWS01/130227017/Brevard-health-officials-announce-rabies-warning-area-near-KSC?nclick_check=1

New Jersey 02/27/13 Morris County: Denville Township officials have issued a Rabies Alert after a raccoon that attacked a dog in the vicinity of South Wynde Drive, behind the A&P, tested positive for the virus. – See http://newjerseyhills.com/the_citizen/news/denville-issues-rabies-alert/article_c50e06b4-811b-11e2-9b63-0019bb2963f4.html

North Carolina 02/28/13 Davidson County: A skunk found inside a dog lot in Churchland with a dog that had an expired vaccination has tested positive for rabies. The skunk was shot and killed by the dog’s owner. The dog was euthanized. – See http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20130228/News/302289972

Texas 02/27/13 Somervell County: The Glen Rose animal control officer has issued a Rabies Alert after a skunk that was chasing people attending a birthday party tested positive for the virus. – See http://www.yourglenrosetx.com/news/community/article_f927db0a-8120-11e2-a475-0019bb2963f4.html

CALIFORNIA game warden kills MOUNTAIN LION stalking him ~ MOUNTAIN LION attacks on PETS increasing in central COLORADO ~ Scientists say new virus called NOVEL CORONAVIRUS known to have infected 12 people killing 5 ~ RABIES reports from MA, NC, & TX.

Stalking mountain lion. Photo by County of Santa Barbara, California.

California 02/19/13 sacbee.com: by Ed Fletcher – A popular Placer County hiking trail has reopened after authorities say a state Fish and Wildlife warden was forced to shoot and kill a mountain lion Sunday. Authorities were first alerted to an aggressive mountain lion early Saturday evening, when a hiker on the Stevens Trail near Colfax, fearing for his safety, called 911. “He noticed he was being followed by a mountain lion,” said Mark Michilizzi, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “The behavior was consistent with a mountain lion that is stalking prey.” Fish and Wildlife wardens, Placer County Sheriff’s deputies and a California Highway Patrol helicopter responded to the call and apparently scared off the mountain lion, Michilizzi said.

Sunday morning, a warden returned to the area to post signs and warn hikers of the threat of an aggressive mountain lion when he noticed a mountain lion, apparently the same one, preparing to pounce on him, Michilizzi said. While it is illegal to hunt mountain lions in California, at this point the animal wasn’t just a risk to public safety — it was a risk to the warden, who shot and killed the cat. “The officer acted appropriately,” Michilizzi said. “The mountain lion wasn’t cornered. The mountain lion was actively approaching him.” Michilizzi said a necropsy will be preformed to help officials learn more about the health of the animal and what might have triggered the behavior. “Deer are the primary prey for mountain lion,” Michilizzi. “When they start looking to humans, we want to know why.” He said hikers should not call 911 upon spotting of a mountain lion but this instance was different. “Mountain lion attacks are rare. This type of behavior is rare,” Michilizzi said. He advised anyone who spots a mountain lion not to run. He said to turn and face the lion while making oneself as big as possible and to throw rocks, stick or leaves.

Colorado 02/17/13 Jefferson County: The number of mountain lion attacks on pets in the Brook Forest area is increasing according to a resident who, armed with only a flashlight, rescued her dog from an attack in her yard on Feb. 7. – See http://www.canyoncourier.com/content/mountain-lion-attacks-pets-increasing-area

Novel Coronavirus:

Global 02/19/13 dawn.com: A new virus that emerged in the Middle East last year and has killed five people is well adapted to infecting humans but could potentially be treated with drugs that boost the immune system, scientists said on Tuesday. The virus, called novel coronavirus or NCoV, is from the same family as the common cold and as SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. There have been 12 confirmed cases worldwide – including in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Britain – and five patients have died. In one of the first published studies about NCoV, which was unknown in humans until it was identified in September 2012, researchers said it could penetrate the lining of passageways in the lungs and evade the immune system as easily as a cold virus can. This shows it “grows very efficiently” in human cells and suggests it is well-equipped for infecting humans, said Volker Thiel of the Institute of Immunobiology at Kantonal Hospital in Switzerland, who led the study.

Dr. Volker Thiel

NCoV was identified when the World Health Organisation issued an international alert in September saying a completely new virus had infected a Qatari man in Britain who had recently been in Saudi Arabia. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that includes those that cause the common cold as well as the one that caused SARS – which emerged in China in 2002 and killed about a 10th of the 8,000 people it infected worldwide. Symptoms of both NCoV and SARS include severe respiratory illness, fever, coughing and breathing difficulties. Of the 12 cases confirmed so far, four were in Britain, one was a Qatari patient in Germany, two were in Jordan and five in Saudi Arabia. – For complete article see http://dawn.com/2013/02/19/deadly-new-virus-is-well-adapted-to-infect-humans-study-finds/

Rabies:

Massachusetts 02/18/13 Barnstable County: A Wellfleet official has confirmed that a bat recently found in the town has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/boston-south/Cape-bat-tests-positive-for-rabies/-/9848842/18590226/-/format/rsss_2.0/-/102877az/-/index.html

North Carolina 02/18/13 Guilford County: A raccoon captured on Hertford Street in Greensboro on Monday has tested positive for rabies. A dog was exposed to the virus. – See http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/article/269916/57/2nd-Case-Of-Rabies-Confirmed-In-Guilford-County

Texas 02/18/13 Johnson and Tarrant counties: Two skunks found inside Burleson city limits in the last two weeks have tested positive for rabies. The first, on Jan. 29^th, was on Lynwood Avenue where it had been killed by dogs. The second was captured on Wilshire Boulevard/Texas 174 last week. – See http://blogs.star-telegram.com/crime_time/2013/02/two-skunks-test-positive-for-rabies-in-burleson.html