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

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

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

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

Other Rabies Reports:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel Warnings:

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

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

NEW YORK man camping in the ADIRONDACKS survives suspected case of HANTAVIRUS ~ MOUNTAIN LION report from COLORADO ~ COYOTE report from NEVADA ~ ST. LOUIS ENCEPHALITIS report from FLORIDA ~ EEE & WNV reports from IL, LA, NY, TX, & CANADA: ALBERTA ~ RABIES reports from FL, GA, MA, NJ, NCx2, TX, & VT ~ CDC REPORTS: ZOONOTIC DISEASE summary for week ending October 6, 2012.

Deer mouse. Common carrier of Hantavirus. Courtesy U.S. Department of Agriculture.

New York 10/13/12 timesunion.com: by Rick Karlin – The Long Island resident who contracted a suspected case of hantavirus after being bitten by a mouse in the Adirondacks in August believes the state Department of Environmental Conservation should consider trapping mice in the region to try to gauge how many rodents are carrying the illness. And “if it’s confirmed, they should really say something about it,” said Long Island’s Michael Vaughan on Friday during a telephone conference with his doctor at Stony Brook University Hospital, where he recovered from the virus last month. A geophysicist and researcher at SUNY Stony Brook, the 72-year-old was bitten by a mouse while camping in a High Peaks lean-to and became ill a month later. Vaughan and his doctor, Rekha Sivadas, cautioned that the hantavirus wasn’t officially confirmed: They’re still waiting for blood samples to come back from the federal Centers for Disease Control and state Health Department. But Sivadas said a sample they sent to a reputable private lab turned up positive for hantavirus, and Vaughan exhibited classic symptoms of the ailment.

While rare, hantavirus can become serious, attacking its victim’s respiratory system. Earlier in the summer, an outbreak of the virus in California’s Yosemite National Park infected nine people and killed three who caught it while staying in canvas-sided cabins. The virus is usually contracted by people when they inhale dust contaminated with rodent droppings. Transmission through a bite is highly unusual. – For complete article see http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Patient-Check-rodents-for-hantavirus-3944488.php

Mountain Lion Sightings:

Colorado 10/12/12 Montezuma County: State wildlife officers trapped and euthanized a mountain lion last week that killed five sheep off of County Road G in the McElmo Canyon area. A nearby resident said the lion was large enough to carry an 80-pound sheep. – See http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20121013/NEWS01/710139929/Mountain-lion-kills-five-sheep

Coyote Attacks:

Nevada 10/13/12 Washoe County: A Spanish Springs resident witnessed her dog being killed by a coyote in her backyard on October 1, and when she approached the scene the coyote was large enough to clear a pair of six foot fences while holding the pet in its mouth. – See http://www.dailysparkstribune.com/view/full_story/20476975/article-Spreading-the-word

St. Louis Encephalitis:

Florida 10/12/12 Orange County: Health officials are alerting residents after a flock of sentinel chickens tested positive for St. Louis Encephalitis virus. Residents are urged to avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. – See http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-10-12/news/os-encephalitis-orange-county-20121012_1_encephalitis-virus-mosquito-bites-sentinel-chicken-flocks

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

Illinois 10/11/12 Woodford County: Health officials have confirmed that a dead crow found in Minonk on Oct. 2^nd has tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.pjstar.com/news/x2143895642/West-Nile-now-in-Woodford-County

Louisiana 10/12/12 dhh.louisiana.gov: Update – State health officials today confirmed 9 new human cases of WNV. Also, one death from WNV occurred this week. This year, 312 cases and 12 deaths from the disease have been reported. There are 5 new neuroinvasive disease cases reported this week, from Calcasieu (2), Iberia (1), Lafayette (1) and Orleans (1) parishes. There are 4 new West Nile Fever cases, from Ascension (2), Jefferson Davis (1) and Livingston (1) parishes. – See http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2667

New York 10/13/12 Schuylkill County: Health officials have confirmed that a horse stabled in the county has tested positive for WNV. – See http://republicanherald.com/news/west-nile-virus-detected-in-horse-in-schuylkill-county-1.1387439

Texas 10/11/12 Nueces County: Local health officials have confirmed that a woman in her 50s is the 7^th human case of WNV in the county so far this year. – See http://www.kiiitv.com/story/19799475/seventh-case-of-west-nile-confirmed-in-nueces-county

Canada:

Alberta 10/12/12 ctvnews.ca: An Alberta Health Services spokesperson said Friday that a death in a southern area of the province marks the first WNV-related fatality in the province since 2007. – See http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/one-dead-from-west-nile-virus-in-alberta-1.993627

Rabies:

Florida 10/12/12 Bay County: Local health officials issued a rabies alert on Friday for Callaway and Parker after a raccoon captured at the intersection of Lannie Rowe Drive and South Gay Avenue in Callaway tested positive for the virus. – See http://www.newsherald.com/news/health/rabies-alert-issued-for-callaway-and-parker-1.29059

Georgia 10/12/12 Houston County: A fox killed by a couple in Warner Robins on Thursday when the woman found the animal biting her 5-year-old child has tested positive for rabies. Police say the woman was also bitten. Police believe the same fox had earlier bitten another woman. – See http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Warner-Robins-police-investigate-fox-attacks-3943108.php

Massachusetts 10/12/12 Barnstable County: More than 24,000 oral rabies vaccination baits aimed at attracting raccoons and other wildlife will be distributed in selected areas from Barnstable through Orleans starting Monday, Oct. 15, officials from Wildlife Services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week. – See http://www.wickedlocal.com/orleans/multimedia/video/x1826352572/Rabies-baits-spread-across-half-the-Cape#axzz29EpnxV52

New Jersey 10/11/12 Atlantic County: A raccoon found in the 100 block of Perry Lane in Egg Harbor Township on Oct 8^th has tested positive for rabies. Two vaccinated dogs that may have been in contact with the raccoon have been placed under quarantine. – See  http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/index.php/egg-harbor-twp/eht-events/30575-rabies-news.html

North Carolina 10/11/12 Guilford County: A raccoon found on West Friendly Avenue in Greensboro tested positive for rabies. One person and one dog may have been exposed to the virus. This is the 23^rd confirmed rabies case in the county so far this year. – See http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/article/249519/57/23rd-Case-Of-Rabies-Confirmed-In-Guilford-County

North Carolina 10/11/12 Mecklenburg County: Health officials issued a rabies warning on Thursday after a dog found on Stem Court in the Holly Hills neighborhood of Mint Hill, zip code 28227, tested positive for the virus. – See http://www.wbtv.com/story/19796300/health-officials-warn

Texas 10/12/12 Coryell County: A raccoon that was displaying unusual behavior last week in the vicinity of the Robertson Avenue Baptist Church in Copperas Cove has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.kxxv.com/story/19807614/rabies-detected-in-wild-animals-in-copperas-cove

Vermont 10/13/12 Windham County: A Bellows Falls family is reportedly in good health after unofficially adopting a family of stray cats, one of which has died from a confirmed case of rabies. According to Dr. Bob Johnson, Vermont’s state health veterinarian, a mother cat and four kittens were found in the village and taken in by a kind-hearted family a little over a month ago. After four to six weeks, however, one of the kittens became ill and lethargic and a member of the family brought it to the Rockingham Veterinary Clinic in Chester. The feral kitten’s condition worsened and it died on Thursday. The cause of death was determined to be an open wound infected with rabies. – See http://www.reformer.com/ci_21763732/officials-confirm-case-rabies-bellows-falls?source=most_viewed

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending October 6, 2012:

Published October 12, 2012/ 61(40); ND-550-ND-564

Anaplasmosis . . . 3 . . . New York (2), Virginia,

Babesiosis . . . 1 . . . Maryland,

Brucellosis . . . 1 . . . California,    

Ehrlichiosis . . . 8 . . . New York (2), North Carolina (6),

Giardiasis . . . 126 . . . Alaska (3), Arkansas (2), California (17), Florida (26), Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine (4), Maryland (5), Michigan (2), Missouri (6), Nevada, New York (13), Ohio (13), Oregon (3), Pennsylvania (6), Vermont, Virginia (3), Washington (14), West Virginia, Wisconsin (3),

Hansen Disease (Leprosy) . . . 2 . . . California, 

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

Lyme Disease . . .  151. . .  California (3), Florida (4), Maine, Maryland (16), Nevada, New York (53), Ohio, Pennsylvania (37), Vermont (2), Virginia (33),

Rabies (Animal) . . . 23. . . Illinois, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York (11), Oklahoma, Texas (7),

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Probable) . . . 16 . . . Alabama (2), Florida, Maryland, North Carolina (4), Tennessee (4), Virginia (4).

CDC reports 149 persons in 28 states infected with SALMONELLA by handling small TURTLES ~ CALIFORNIA man attacked by MOUNTAIN LION near Nevada City ~ WYOMING confirms young male injured by BLACK BEAR ~ WASHINGTON’s Spokane County sees first WOLF attack on LIVESTOCK since 1950 ~ COYOTE attacks on PETS in CA, & ME ~ MOUNTAIN LION sightings in CA, & CO ~ EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS reports from GA, & LA ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from AZ, CA, IN, GA, MI, MN, MS, NY, & OH ~ RABIES reports from NC, & WI.

Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

National 06/29/12 cdc.gov: News Release – A total of 149 persons infected with outbreak strains of Salmonella Sandiego, Salmonella Pomona, and Salmonella Poona have been reported from 28 states. Results of the epidemiologic and environmental investigations indicate exposure to turtles or their environments (e.g., water from a turtle habitat) is the cause of these outbreaks.

• The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (2), Alaska (2), Arizona (5), California (26), Colorado (5), Delaware (3), Georgia (3), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (6), Michigan (2), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (7), New Mexico (4), New York (25), Nevada (6), North Carolina (1), Ohio (2), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (14), South Carolina (4), Tennessee (2), Texas (17), Vermont (1), Virginia (3), and West Virginia (1).
• 28 ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
• 64% of ill persons are children 10 years of age or younger, and 28% of ill persons are children 1 year of age or younger.
• 94% of ill persons with turtle exposure specifically reported exposure to small turtles (shell length less than 4 inches). Thirty-three percent of ill persons with small turtles reported purchasing the turtles from street vendors, and 22% reported purchasing small turtles from pet stores.
• Small turtles are a well-known source of human Salmonella infections, especially among young children. Because of this risk, the Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale and distribution of these turtles as pets since 1975. Turtles with a shell length of less than 4 inches in size should not be purchased as pets or given as gifts.

For further details see http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/small-turtles-03-12/index.html

California 07/02/12 sacbee.com: by Matt Weiser – A 63-year-old man was attacked by a mountain lion near Nevada City early Sunday while sleeping alongside a tributary of the Yuba River. The California Department of Fish and Game confirmed the unusual attack after investigating the scene and the man’s injuries. Fish and Game said the man, who is from the Bay Area, was traveling through Nevada County on a planned hiking trip when he decided to stop for the night to sleep. He laid a sleeping bag out on the ground and went to sleep. Around 1 a.m., he was attacked in the sleeping bag by a mountain lion for what he described as 90 seconds to 2 minutes. The man said the animal bit and clawed him through the sleeping bag, through a cap he was wearing and through his clothes. The lion ceased the attack, looked at him from 15 feet away for another 15 to 30 seconds, then ran into the night. The man drove himself to a hospital in Grass Valley, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries and later released. Game wardens responded to the hospital and verified that the man suffered severe scratches and puncture wounds. They collected several articles of clothing and the sleeping bag, which were analyzed at Fish and Game’s forensics laboratory in Sacramento. At the scene, wardens found mountain lion tracks. They used trained dogs in an attempt to track the lion but were unsuccessful. However, they did find the remains of a domestic cat which had injuries consistent with a mountain lion attack. An effort to track the lion continues. Fish and Game counts this as the 15th confirmed mountain lion attack in California since 1890.

Wyoming 07/02/12 tetonvalleynews.net: by Rachael Horne – Public Information Specialist Mark Gocke with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department confirmed there was a bear attack on the Aspen Trail involving a male subject early Saturday morning June 30. He said from reports and enforcement officers sent to the scene, a young male individual likely surprised a bear in an area with heavy forest cover and low visibility. “It sounded like a surprise encounter,” said Gocke. “The bear reacted and charged.” Gocke said from reports, it sounded like the male subject attempted to climb a tree. The bear was then able to get a hold of his foot and pull him from the tree to the ground. It was believed the bear then took off and hasn’t been seen again. Gocke said it was believed to be a black bear based on hair found at the scene and tracks. He said it looked like a bear had been digging and rolling rocks near the scene of the incident. “It was doing what bears do,” said Gocke. “He was able to spook it and the bear charged, which is a normal reaction for a bear at close range.” Gocke said they have no plans to trap the bear. Last week, two bears believed to have been habituated to human food in Teton Canyon were euthanized. Captain Tripp Wilson from the Teton County Wyoming Sheriff’s office said his officers assisted in a search for a missing minor, but said he could not make a statement on the events because it was being handled by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest Service District. Forest service officials also confirmed there was an incident, but were not yet releasing information. Signs have been posted in the area warning visitors of bear activity, but there have been no trail closures.

Washington 06/30/12 spokesman.com: by Daniel Person – A wolf killed one sheep and injured two others on a small Nine Mile Falls ranch earlier this month, the state’s wildlife agency said Friday, marking the first wolf attack on livestock in Spokane County since at least the early 1950s. Steve Pozzanghera, eastern region director for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, said Friday two brothers woke up June 16 to see their flock of about 15 sheep in the pasture and away from the pen area where they normally gather in the morning. The men, who are not identified in the incident report, rode four-wheelers out to the flock, where they said they saw a lone wolf chasing one of the sheep. The animal then ran away. A subsequent investigation by the Fish and Wildlife Department determined that the predator was a gray wolf, Pozzanghera said. Helping confirm that it was a wolf kill was the severity of the wounds – wolves have “incredible jaw strength” – and tracks found in the area, he said. “You’re not talking about a dog-size track,” Pozzanghera said. The incident report lists the location of the attack as 11000 N. Pinebluff Road. The department announced that it had confirmed the predation as a wolf kill on Friday. – For complete article see http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jun/30/wolf-kills-one-sheep-injures-two-others-in/

Coyote Attacks:

California 06/29/12 San Anselmo, Marin County: A 2-year-old cat is recovering after his owner rescued him from the mouth of a coyote in the backyard of their Rosemont Avenue home on Wednesday. – See http://www.marinij.com/sananselmo/ci_20974519/san-anselmo-cat-survives-coyote-attack?source=most_emailed

Maine 06/30/12 Kennebunk, York County: A family dog is recovering after being rescued from a coyote by her owner Thursday night. – See http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/205698/2/Tipper-the-dog-survives-coyote-attack

Mountain Lion Sightings:

California 06/30/12 Woodside, San Mateo County: A mountain lion was seen walking along a trail in Huddart Park at 1100 Kings Mountain Road Friday night. – See http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_20979832/mountain-lion-seen-walking-along-woodside-park-trail

Colorado 07/02/12 Loveland, Larimer County: A man working in his yard near 41^st Street and Taft Avenue reported a mountain lion resting in a tree above him. – See http://www.reporterherald.com/news/loveland-local-news/ci_20991215/mountain-lion-hangs-out-loveland-yard

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE):

Georgia 07/02/12 Lakeland, Lanier County: Health officials have confirmed another case of EEE in a horse. This is the fourth case in a horse found in South Georgia this year. – See http://www.wtxl.com/content/topstories/story/Horse-tests-positive-for-EEE-in-Lanier-Co/vHxNMsPo3kW7_03QSuANZg.cspx

Louisiana 07/02/12 Iberia Parish: The state veterinarian’s office has reported a horse infected with EEE in the parish. – See http://www.katc.com/news/west-nile-detected-in-iberia-parish/

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Yavapai County

Arizona 07/03/12 Yavapai County: A large body of standing water tested positive for WNV. Health officials and the property owner are working to resolve the situation, which was due to improper irrigation techniques and/or faulty ditch gates. – See http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=48914

California 07/02/12 Los Angeles County: WNV has been found in mosquitoes in Newhall, Encino and Silverlake. A dead crow was found to be infected with the virus in Toluca Lake. This is the first time the virus has been detected in Rowland Heights this year. – See http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_20991276/west-nile-virus-detected-mosquitoes-collected-rowland-heights

Marion County

Indiana 07/02/12 Marion County: Public health officials said two samples of mosquitoes, one taken from Warren Township and another in Perry Township, tested positive for the WNV. – See http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-health-officials-confirm-mosquitoes-carrying-west-nile-virus-found-in-marion-co-20120702,0,3929153.column

Iberia Parish

Louisiana 07/02/12 Iberia Parish: Officials have found WNV in mosquito samples. – See http://www.katc.com/news/west-nile-detected-in-iberia-parish/

Michigan 07/02/12 Saginaw and Washtenaw counties: A mosquito abatement commission in Saginaw County tested a mosquito pool and detected WNV, officials said. Also, a wild turkey in Washtenaw County that displayed signs of the virus was checked at Michigan State University, and it tested positive. – See http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/07/precautions_against_west_nile.html

Minnesota 07/03/12 South-Central: A human case of WNV has been confirmed in a St. Louis County after visiting a south-central part of the state. He was hospitalized and is recovering. – See http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/161234225.html

Mississippi 07/03/12 Lauderdale County: District health officials have confirmed a human case of WNV in the county. – See http://www.wtok.com/news/mississippiheadlines/West_Nile_Virus_161254665.html

New York 07/03/12 Long Island: A mosquito sample taken from Gardiner County Park in Islip, and a dead crow found in Northport, have both tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/07/03/west-nile-virus-discovered-on-long-island/

Lake County

Ohio 07/02/12 Lake County: State health officials have confirmed a mosquito pool has tested positive for WNV. – See http://news-herald.com/articles/2012/07/02/news/doc4ff1f98f423b0283927825.txt

Rabies:

North Carolina 07/02/12 Silver Valley, Davidson County: A fox that ran from a resident’s garage and attacked him has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20120702/News/307029988

Wisconsin 07/02/12 Wausau, Marathon County: The Marathon County Health Department is requesting help from the public in the search for a dog who bit a woman at Sunny Vale Park Sunday. The dog is a 6- or 7-year-old black lab mix and is not wearing a collar. The department needs to verify the dog’s vaccination status to prevent the woman from having to endure rabies shots. If you have information about this dog or know who owns it, contact the Marathon County Health Department at 715-261-1908, the Marathon County Dispatch at 715-849-7785 or the Humane Society at 715-845-2810.

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH developing new test to diagnose PRION diseases including CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE ~ NEW JERSEY HORSE with EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS euthanized ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from IL, PA, & TX ~ RABIES reports from IOWA, & CANADA: ONTARIO ~ CDC REPORTS: ZOONOTIC DISEASE summary for week ending May 26, 2012.

Cow moose with calf. Courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Global 06/06/12 nih.gov: News Release – A test being developed by National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists to quickly and accurately diagnose fatal brain diseases performed better than existing tests in a recent study of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). Prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, are difficult to diagnose, untreatable, and ultimately fatal. Normally, prion protein molecules exist harmlessly in every mammal, but for reasons not fully understood, these molecules can develop abnormalities and gather in clusters. Scientists have associated the accumulation of these clusters with tissue damage that leaves microscopic sponge-like holes in the brain. Prion diseases include sCJD and variant CJD in people; scrapie in sheep; chronic wasting disease in deer, elk, and moose; and bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, in cattle. Because animals and people can be infected for years before clinical signs or symptoms appear, NIH scientists are developing a rapid and sensitive screening tool to detect prion diseases. Such a test would help prevent the spread of prion diseases among and between species. Of particular concern is the known transmission of variant CJD via blood transfusions. – For further details see http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/prion/Pages/diagnostics.aspx

New Jersey 06/06/12 nj.com: A 3-year-old horse from Burlington County was euthanized on May 27 after testing positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a serious, mosquito-borne illness in horses. “It is very early in the season to see Eastern Equine Encephalitis so horse owners need to be vigilant in vaccinating their animals against diseases spread by mosquitoes,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. “We hope this incident will raise awareness about the need to protect our official state animal from this and other harmful diseases, especially since June is the Month of the Horse in our state.” EEE is preventable by vaccination, and effective equine vaccines for EEE and West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne disease, are available commercially, the Department of Agriculture said. – For complete article see http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2012/06/burlington_county_horse_with_e.html

Illinois 06/05/12 Shawneetown, Gallatin County: State public health officials reported the first West Nile Virus positive mosquito batch in Southern Illinois this year. – See http://www.dailyregister.com/news/x492302404/West-Nile-virus-positive-mosquitoes-found-in-Shawneetown

Pennsylvania 06/06/12 Lackawanna County: A mosquito has tested positive for West Nile Virus about two months earlier than the county has seen in previous years. – See http://theabingtonjournal.com/stories/West-Nile-virus-test-positive,159872

Texas 06/06/12 cbs19.tv: Mosquitoes have tested positive for the West Nile virus in three area counties, according to the Texas Health Department. They were found in Fort Bend, Brazoria and Montgomery counties. The infected mosquitoes in Montgomery County were found in The Woodlands. Spraying is already under way on storm drains and streets in the areas where they turned up. No details have been released yet on the location of positive tests in Fort Bend and Brazoria counties.

Iowa 06/05/12 Fort Madison, Lee County: A stray cat picked up last Friday in southern Lee County has tested positive for rabies.- http://www.dailygate.com/articles/2012/06/05/news/dgc2659561.txt

Canada:

Ontario 06/05/12 Perth, Lanark County: The Perth District Health Unit is looking for a dog involved in a biting incident at Bedford Public School last week. The dog is described as a brown-and-white spaniel with a red collar. A young couple was playing ball with the dog in the schoolyard at the time of the incident, which happened around 8 p.m. on May 31. The health Unit is trying to determine if the dog has up-to-date rabies shots. If the dog is not found, the person who was bitten may need to receive rabies shots. Anyone who has seen a dog fitting this description should contact the health unit at 271-7600, ext. 252 or after hours at 1-800-431-2054.

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending May 26, 2012:

Published June 1, 2012/ 61(21); ND-283-ND-296

Anaplasmosis . . . 9 . . . Florida, Maine (2), New York (2), Rhode Island (3), Vermont,

Babesiosis . . . 3 . . . New York (2), Rhode Island,

Brucellosis . . . 1 . . . Florida, 

Ehrlichiosis . . . 11 . . . Delaware, Florida, Missouri (5), New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee (2),

Giardiasis . . . 107 . . . Alaska (3), Arkansas, California (20), Florida (20), Iowa (4), Maryland (4), Michigan, Missouri (3), Montana (3), Nebraska (5), Nevada (3), New York (14), Ohio (5), Oregon (3), Pennsylvania (8), Washington (10),

HME/HGE Undetermined . . . 1 . . . Missouri, 

Lyme Disease . . .  124. . .  Delaware (2), Florida (6), Maryland (22), Missouri, Nebraska, New York (37), North Carolina (5), Oregon, Pennsylvania (31), Vermont (7), Virginia (10), Wyoming,

Rabies (Animal) . . . 36. . . Arkansas, Connecticut (3), Maine, Michigan (2), Missouri, New York (7), Texas (4), Vermont, Virginia (15), West Virginia,

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Confirmed) . . . 6. . . California, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee (3),

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Probable) . . . 20 . . . Alabama (6), Arkansas, Delaware, Florida (4), Missouri (3), Tennessee (4), Texas,

Tularemia . . . 2 . . . Missouri.

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

Buck and doe mule deer. Courtesy National Park Service.

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

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

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

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

The deer fly is a carrier of tularemia.

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

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

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

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

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

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending May 5, 2012:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OREGON DFW investigation confirms lone WOLF killed five SHEEP in Umatilla County ~ WASHINGTON Fish & Wildlife officer shoots MOUNTAIN LION in residential area ~ MASSACHUSETTS policeman says DOG was attacked by BEAR in Northampton ~ CALIFORNIA officials find CROW with WEST NILE VIRUS in Sacramento ~ Brandeis study finds PUERTO RICO spends about $38 million a year dealing with DENGUE FEVER ~ RABIES reports from CT, FL, NC, SC, TX, & VA.

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

Oregon 05/03/12 oregon.gov: News Release – A May 2 investigation by ODFW confirmed that four penned sheep (two ewes, two lambs) were killed by a wolf on private land east of Weston, Ore. in northern Umatilla County. One additional lamb is missing and believed to have been killed by the wolf. The incident occurred in an area not known to be frequented by one of Oregon’s known wolf packs (Imnaha, Wenaha, Walla Walla, Snake River) but by two wolves discovered last August in the northern Mt Emily wildlife management unit. Based on evidence at the scene, wildlife biologists believe a single wolf was involved in the depredation. ODFW immediately helped the landowner install electrified fladry, a type of fencing that can deter wolves, around the sheep pens. ODFW is also working to capture and radio-collar the wolf.

This marks the first time ODFW has confirmed a wolf kill of livestock in Umatilla County. The county has an active Wolf Depredation Advisory Committee under the state’s new Oregon Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program and the landowner is eligible to seek compensation for the loss. The five dead sheep bring the total number of livestock animals killed by wolves in Oregon to 57 since 2009. The last confirmed wolf kill of livestock occurred March 8, 2012.

Washington 05/03/12 bellinghamherald.com: by Kristi Pihl – The constant barking of his neighbor’s dogs early Wednesday alerted James Ford that something wasn’t right. What he saw in the Kennewick backyard on the 3200 block of West Third Place was a nearly 120-pound cougar high in a tree. About an hour later, a state Department of Fish and Wildlife officer shot and killed the young mountain lion after officials determined there was no other safe way to remove the wild animal from the dense residential area. The Kennewick Police Department received its first call about the big cat at 1 a.m. Wednesday. There were two other sightings within a half-mile of where it eventually was cornered about 9 a.m., said Sgt. Mike Jewell with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Ford said he already had gotten a heads up from his neighbor David Carlson, who spotted the cougar at 4:20 a.m. as he left for work at ConAgra Foods. At first, he thought it was a large dog. Carlson called the police, then notified Ford and other neighbors to be on the lookout. But it wasn’t until closer to 9 a.m. that Ford heard the dogs and saw the cougar about 25 feet up in a tree.

Massachusetts 05/03/12 gazettenet.com: by Rebecca Everett – A golden retriever that was attacked by a bear on Lawn Avenue Wednesday night was treated for puncture wounds but is expected to recover, police said. The 9-year-old dog was outside the home about 8:30 p.m. when a mother bear and two cubs came in the yard, said Lt. Michael Patenaude. The dog was apparently barking at one of the cubs when the bear attacked it, he said. The dog was taken to the vet and received stitches for three puncture wounds on its face and neck, he said. “We called the Environmental Police to investigate, but the bears had apparently left the scene before they got there,” Patenaude said. He said bear attacks on domestic animals are unusual. “But anytime you get a mother bear protecting her cubs, that can be dangerous,” he said.

California 05/03/12 kcra.com: A crow found in the Tahoe Park area of Sacramento tested positive for the West Nile virus, Sacramento County officials said Wednesday. The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District said it is the second bird of the 2012 season to test positive for the disease. “With the very warm temperatures we’ve seen recently, West Nile virus is starting to amplify in our region,” said David Brown, district manager. Brown added that the West Nile discovery is a reminder people need to protect themselves against mosquitoes and the diseases that are transmitted. In 2011, there were nine deaths and 158 human West Nile virus cases reported in California.

Puerto Rico 05/02/12 usnews.com: The costs of treating and coping with dengue fever in Puerto Rico total nearly $38 million a year, a new study finds. It also said that every $1 spent on surveillance and prevention of the mosquito-borne disease could save $5 in illness-related costs. Households pay nearly half the costs of the disease, followed by government (24 percent), insurance companies (22 percent) and employers (7 percent), according to researchers from Brandeis University’s Schneider Institutes for Health Policy in Waltham, Mass. The study appears in the May issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Given that the U.S. government covers 62 percent of Puerto Rico’s public health expenses, “sound investments related to dengue would benefit not only residents of Puerto Rico but all taxpayers throughout the United States,” the researchers said in a journal news release.

They focused on Puerto Rico because it’s an area within the United States with substantial numbers of dengue fever. In 2010, more than 22,000 cases of dengue fever were reported, which works out to an incidence rate of 57 cases per 10,000 people. Because treatment is readily available, deaths from dengue fever in Puerto Rico average about 16 per year. “People generally think of dengue as a disease of poor countries; the fact that we found it to be a major burden in a U.S. territory — and because it recently has cropped up on the U.S. mainland — is a reminder that mosquito-borne illnesses can present an equal opportunity threat,” study co-author Donald Shepard said in the news release. Dengue fever, which broke out in the Florida Keys in 2010, currently threatens nearly 3 billion people worldwide. Public health experts warn that the spread of dengue fever could prove more costly and cause more illness than malaria. Symptoms in dengue include high fever plus at least two of the following: severe headache, eye pain, joint pain, muscle or bone pain, rash, mild bleeding and low white blood cell count, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Worldwide, dengue fever infects 100 million to 200 million people each year and causes 20,000 deaths, according to the release. The study received funding from vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur, which is developing a dengue vaccine, the release disclosed.

Connecticut 05/02/12 Simsbury, Hartford County: A skunk recovered near Notch Road after it was seen fighting with two dogs has tested positive for rabies. No description of the dogs was provided. – See http://simsbury.patch.com/articles/rabid-skunk-found-near-nod-road

Florida 05/02/12 Lakeland, Polk County: A raccoon killed by a dog in the 4800 block of Elam Road has tested positive for rabies. This is the fourth animal rabies case reported in the county so far this year. – See http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2012/may/02/fourth-case-of-rabies-this-year-detected-in-polk-c-ar-399157/

North Carolina 05/02/12 Carolina Beach, New Hanover County: A raccoon that fought with a vaccinated dog last Sunday has tested positive for rabies. This is the sixth case of animal rabies in the county so far this year. – See http://yellowtape.blogs.starnewsonline.com/18646/fighting-raccoon-tested-positive-for-rabies/

South Carolina 05/02/12 Chesnee, Spartanburg County: A feral cat picked up in Chesnee has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www2.wspa.com/news/2012/may/02/6/rabies-confirmed-stray-cat-spartanburg-co-ar-3717853/

Texas 05/02/12 Tyler, Smith County: A bat found near the 15000 block of County Road 26 has tested positive for rabies. This is the second case of animal rabies in the county so far this year. – See http://www.ketknbc.com/news/rabid-bat-found-in-smith-county

Virginia 05/02/12 Powhatan County: A skunk found in the southeastern part of the county has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/apexchange/2012/05/02/va–powhatan-rabies.html

Two TEXAS homes in same neighborhood invaded by DEER crashing through windows ~ CALIFORNIA hunter warns of MOUNTAIN LION prowling along bike path ~ MISSOURI reports MOUNTAIN LION sighting in subdivision ~ RABIES reports from FLORIDA (2), GEORGIA, & NEW MEXICO ~ CDC Reports: ZOONOTIC DISEASE summary for week ending February 18, 2012.

Whitetail Buck. Photo by Clinton & Charles Robertson. Wikimedia Commons.

Texas 02/23/12 yourhoustonnews.com: by Stefanie Thomas – Two area families experienced an all-too-close, and unwanted, encounter with wildlife on the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 20, when two deer crashed through windows at two separate residences on Village Grove Dr. in the Atascocita Forest subdivision. In both cases, the injured and panicked animals had to be shot and killed by law enforcement. “A lady called and said she had a deer in her house, and that it was tearing up the house,” said Lt. David Escobar with the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, adding the homeowner was there when the incident happened and called 911. “The deer had crashed through a back window. There was a big mess in the house.” Escobar said the deer, which was eventually corralled inside a bathroom, had sustained serious injuries when crashing through the glass. “We called Texas Parks & Wildlife, and the game warden in charge gave us authorization to put the deer down.”

As if the incident hadn’t already been strange enough, deputies received a second call while still dealing with the mess at the first home. “We had another call that there was a deer inside the next-door neighbor’s house. This deer had broken through a front window,” Escobar said. “It was strange, for two deer to bust into a house at the same time. This second deer was bleeding excessively as well, like the first one.” Nancy Terrell and her husband were lunching at a local restaurant shortly before 3 p.m. that day, when a call from a neighbor interrupted their outing. “Our neighbor called and said there was a deer in our house,” she said. “The police asked for permission to go inside our house – the deer was just tearing up things. But they ended up not even going inside. They put a gun at the broken window, shot the deer, killed it right on the floor between my dining and living room. If they had tried to come in an control it…you can’t control a wild animal like that.” Terrell said she came home to knocked-down furniture and a large pool of blood on her living room carpet. “The deer had knocked my tables down, broke two of them, tried to get out of the family room,” she said. “There was blood everywhere. The carpet will have to come out.”

Major William Skeen with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Division Region 4 said reports of deer busting into buildings are more common than one would think. “It happens just about every year somewhere around here, normally in the fall, when the male deer start to go into rut,” he said. “What happens is that they see their reflection in the window and think it’s another buck. Male deer hit their horns, and when they charge against the glass, they break into the house. If the deer is not killed instantly by the glass, there usually ends up being quite a mess.”

In the Atascocita incidents, where one deer was said to be a buck and the other a doe, Skeen said the doe may have been chased by the buck, or perhaps both animals could have been pursued by a predator, like a coyote for example. Escobar said the supervisor at the scene, Cpl. Robert Goree, an avid hunter, reported that both deer appeared young and healthy. They were not fully mature and weighed just short of 100 pounds each. Skeen added that diseases like rabies are not a concern in deer and the likelihood of the animals being sick was very slim. Terrell said that although she has seen deer along nearby Atascocita Rd. and Woodland Hills in the past, those sightings were usually at night. Escobar said that while some wooded patches remain in the neighborhood, Atascocita Forest is one of the oldest subdivisions in the area and is surrounded by commercial developments. And although reports of deer crashing through windows are not unheard of, these incidents are more likely to occur in heavily wooded areas such as Kingwood and Eagle Springs, he said.

Meanwhile, Terrell was so shaken up by the incident that she and her husband are considering a move, leaving their home of more than 30 years. “I don’t know if I want to stay here now,” she said. “I hate to move, but it made me feel very strange to come home to a dead deer in my living room. I’m still upset.”

California 02/23/12 Bakersfield, Kern County: Tracks believed to be those of a mountain lion found near end of Kern River Bike Path at Enos Lane. See http://www.bakersfield.com/news/sports/local/x2097370233/Pictures-lend-credibility-to-claims-of-mountain-lion-sitings

Missouri 02/24/12 Chesterfield, St. Louis County: Report of a mountain lion seen in a residential subdivision near Olive Boulevard. See http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/306138/71/Mountain-lion-spotted-in-Chesterfield

Florida 02/24/12 Alachua and Levy Counties: Health officials have issued a Rabies Alert in an area spanning both counties after a family’s pet dog tested positive for the virus. All four family members are receiving PEP rabies treatments, and two other pet dogs owned by the family will be euthanized. See http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120224/ARTICLES/120229695/1002/news?Title=Area-between-Archer-Newberry-and-Bronson-under-rabies-alert

Florida 02/24/12 Panama City Beach, Bay County: Health officials are reminding residents that a county-wide Rabies Alert is in effect. A raccoon killed by dogs in the Laird St. and Treasure Palm Dr. area, and another captured in The Glades community have tested positive for the virus. Previously this year a raccoon and a bobcat have tested positive for rabies in the county. See http://www.wjhg.com/news/headlines/Two_Raccoons_Test_Positive_for_Rabies_in_Bay_County_140197043.html?ref=043

Georgia 02/24/12 Milton, Fulton County: Health officials have issued a Rabies Alert for the Oaks at White Columns neighborhood after a pet dog was attacked by a raccoon that tested positive for the virus. See http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/milton-neighborhood-rabies-alert-after-dog-bitten-/nKPwK/

New Mexico 02/24/12 Carlsbad, Eddy County: A resident in the Center and Violet streets area had to put down several of her animals, including several dogs and mouflon sheep, after they were attacked and bitten by a fox that tested positive for rabies. See http://www.currentargus.com/ci_20041128

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending February 18, 2012:

Published February 24, 2012/ 61(07); ND-86-ND-99

Anaplasmosis . . . 1 . . . New York,

Babesiosis . . . 1 . . . New York,

Giardiasis . . . 120 . . . Alaska, Arizona, California (20), Florida (12), Georgia (5), Idaho (2), Maine, Maryland (5), Michigan (10), Missouri, Montana (4), Nebraska (2), Nevada, New York (17), Ohio (7), Oregon (9), Pennsylvania (12), South Carolina, Vermont, Washington (6), Wisconsin (2),

Lyme Disease . . .  72. . . Alaska, California, Delaware (3), Florida (3), Maryland, New Jersey (30), New York (10), Pennsylvania (15), Vermont, Virginia (7),

Q Fever (Acute) . . . 1 . . . California,

Rabies (Animal) . . . 33. . . Alabama, Arkansas (8), Florida (13), Maine, New York, Oklahoma (3), Rhode Island, Texas (5),

Spotted Fever (Probable) . . . 1 . . . Tennessee.

IDAHO Fish & Game kills BIGHORN RAM for being too close to DOMESTIC SHEEP ~ CALIFORNIA authorities report PACK OF PIT BULLS killed 42 GOATS ~ OREGON court extends stay on killing of two WOLVES that attacked LIVESTOCK ~ CALIFORNIANs in Woodside report MOUNTAIN LION sighting ~ NEVADAN in Carson City chased by MOUNTAIN LION while jogging ~ NEW YORK’s Rockland County collects MOSQUITOES carrying WEST NILE VIRUS ~ and RABIES reports from FLORIDA, GEORGIA, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, & WISCONSIN ~ CANADA: BC officials quarantine CATS at animal shelter to stop spread of VS-FCV, a deadly FELINE VIRUS.

Bighorn Ram. Courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey.

Idaho 11/14/11 idaho.gov: News Release – Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists Wednesday, November 9, killed a 4 1/2 year old bighorn ram that had wandered too close to domestic sheep on private property. Healthy domestic sheep can carry bacteria that cause pneumonia and death in bighorn sheep. The ram was first reported west of Castleford on November 8. When it was reported again on November 9, the ram was mingling with cattle in the pens of a dairy located within a few miles of several domestic sheep bands. The ram’s proximity to domestic sheep made contact highly likely, particularly during the fall breeding season. At this time of year, bighorn rams may travel to find ewes and later return to the main population. To protect the population, Idaho Fish and Game policy is to remove bighorn sheep that have or are likely to contact domestic sheep. Samples were taken immediately after the sheep was killed, and the samples and carcass have been transported to the Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Health Lab in Caldwell for analysis. For more information, please contact the Idaho Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region at 208-324-4359.

California 11/15/11 dailynews.com: Three of four pit bulls that killed 42 goats have been captured, and the fourth dog remained at large today, authorities said. The attack occurred in a corral near 164th Street and Avenue Q, in the 16300 block of Chuka Avenue near Lake Los Angeles occurred about 8 p.m. Monday, Danny Ubario of the Lancaster Animal Care Center said. About 50 goats were in the pen at the time, and the dogs were running free. “This is a tragic incident and completely avoidable,” said Marcia Mayeda, director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control. “When dogs run at large, particularly in packs, they tend to act up, feeding into each other’s mischievous behavior,” Mayeda said. “Sometimes that mentality results in tragedy, such as what happened in this case.” The owners of the dogs are being sought, according to Ubario, who said the dogs had no identifying microchips or tags. “We have little information on the owner,” he said. Three of dogs were still in the pen when an animal control officer arrived. The owner of the goats brought the carcasses to the Lancaster animal shelter to dispose of them. Ubario described the attack as a “tragic deed.” The owner of the dogs could be criminally charged, “that is not to mention civil suit,” he said. The pit bulls that were caught were unlicensed, he said. “We don’t know if they have rabies vaccinations,” Ubario said.

Oregon 11/16/11 bendbulletin.com: The Oregon Court of Appeals on Tuesday extended a stay on the state’s planned killing of two wolves in Eastern Oregon.  The stay will last until the court determines whether the killing of wolves in response to their attacks on livestock is warranted under the state Endangered Species Act, according to the Oregon Court of Appeals.  The court issued a temporary ban Oct. 5, about two weeks after state wildlife managers announced they planned to kill two wolves from the Imnaha pack, including the lead male. Three conservation groups — Cascadia Wildlands, the Center for Biological Diversity and Oregon Wild — appealed the state’s plan, triggering the stay and subsequent extension. Josh Laughlin, wolf campaign coordinator for Cascadia Wildlands in Eugene, said the court may issue a ruling in the next couple of months.

California 11/15/11 Woodside, San Mateo County: A mountain lion was sighted near Tripp Road and Tripp Court on Nov 15. See http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/peninsula&id=8432860

Nevada 11/16/11 Carson City: Officials warn residents on city’s west side to keep pets and children inside after a mountain lion chased a jogger Nov 15 along King Street near Ormsby Boulevard. See http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20111116/NEWS/111119824/1001&parentprofile=1058

New York 11/16/11 Rockland County: The first mosquito samples in the county to test positive for West Nile Virus this year were collected in Ramapo, Haverstraw, and Clarkstown. See http://www.rocklandcountytimes.com/?p=343

Florida 11/14/11 Middleburg, Clay County: Health officials issue a rabies alert after identifying three people exposed to a family dog that tested positive for the virus. See http://www.news4jax.com/news/Rabies-alert-issued-for-Middleburg-area/-/475880/4743526/-/14r5ml0/-/

Georgia 11/15/11 Floyd County: A dog that recently tested positive for rabies raised the total number of animal rabies cases in the county to 14 so far this year. See http://romenews-tribune.com/view/full_story/16441236/article-Floyd-reports-second-canine-case-of-rabies–animal-cases-now-total-14-for-the-year?instance=home_news

Pennsylvania 11/15/11 East Marlborough, Chester County: A fox that attacked a dog in its owner’s yard and was shot by police has tested positive for rabies. Chester County has reported 27 rabies cases so far this year. See http://pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/11/15/news/doc4ec2de8a531c3097328249.txt

Virginia 11/15/11 Henrico County: The remains of a skunk likely killed by a dog and found in its pen has tested positive for rabies. See http://www.wset.com/story/16045229/dead-skunk-found-in-va-tests-positive-for-rabies

Wisconsin 11/15/11 Manitowoc, Manitowoc County: Local police are looking for the owner of three dogs, one of which bit a 30-year-old woman with special needs today while she was riding her bicycle on Hamilton Street. If the owner is not located, the woman will have to receive rabies shots. See http://www.htrnews.com/article/20111115/MAN0101/111115088/Manitowoc-police-seek-dog-allegedly-bit-woman?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

Canada:

British Columbia 11/16/11 Queensborough, New Westminster: Cats at the New Westminster Animal Shelter are under quarantine due to an outbreak of calicivirus. The feline disease is highly infectious. Six cats have been euthanized so far because of the virus. All but two or three of the cats at the shelter have VS-FCV a particularly virulent strain of the virus that has a mortality rate of about 70 %. See http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Westminster+animal+shelter+dealing+with+deadly+virus/5719465/story.html

Author’s Note: From Winn Feline Foundation – Feline calicivirus is a highly contagious pathogen responsible for about 45% of upper respiratory tract disease in cats. However, there are strains of calicivirus that appear to produce widely varying clinical signs, including arthritis, gingivitis, skin disease and lower urinary tract disease. In recent years, sporadic outbreaks of hypervirulent strains of feline calicivirus in the United States and the UK have caused alarm and triggered a new wave of research into this old feline infectious disease. This new disease has caused high mortality in the affected animals and has been termed virulent systemic feline calicivirus (VS-FCV) disease. Results of research have confirmed that each virulent calicivirus outbreak has been caused by a new strain that has arisen independently. See http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/calicivirus.html

Two Florida counties issue ALERTS prompted by FERAL CATS diagnosed with RABIES ~ Massachusetts confirms SHEEP with RABIES ~ Vermont officials search for DOG that attacked a WOMAN ~ ANNOUNCEMENT: RABIES Symposium to be held in Puerto Rico October 22 ~ AUTHOR’S NOTE.

Photo by Yanjing Lu. Wikimedia Commons.

Florida 10/14/11 waltonsun.com: by Felicia Kitzmiller – A rabies outbreak in eastern Bay County has officials on high alert and they are urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves. A rabies alert for eastern Bay County was issued Thursday by the Bay County Health Department in response to cats testing positive for the disease Sept. 20 and Wednesday (Oct 12), according to a news release. The alert will be in effect for 60 days and includes the Bayhead area of Youngstown and Springfield, north of Seventh Street and between School Avenue and Transmitter Road. Five animals have been diagnosed with rabies this year in Bay County. “That’s high; that’s very, very high compared to years past,” Bay County Animal Control manager Bill Olasin said. It is possible, though, the public is just doing a better job of noticing and reporting the animals than in years past. The first three animals were raccoons in the Bayou George area. A cat in that area was soon observed acting “strange” and aggressive toward other animals and humans. The cat was euthanized by animal control and brain testing determined the animal did have rabies, Olasin said. A trapping program was then set up and about 30 cats living in a feral colony were captured and euthanized because of their proximity to the infected cat and their number. – For complete article go to http://www.waltonsun.com/news/feral-97629-newsherald-officials-outbreak.html

Florida 10/14/11 wokv.com: by Alyssa Spirato – A third rabies alert of the year has been issued for Duval County in the Charter Point area. Duval County health officials sent out a release Friday in regards to the discovery of a rabid cat. The rabies alert borders areas south of University Blvd at Jack Road, and west and east of the St. Johns River.

Massachusetts 10/14/11 masslive.com: by Diane Lederman – One of three sheep living at Pioneer Valley Cohousing tested positive for rabies this week. The other two are in quarantine and have not shown signs of illness. The ill sheep had been lethargic, said Animal Welfare Officer/Animal Inspector Carol A. Hepburn. The owners called their vet and with rabies suspected, the animal was euthanized and then tested. – For complete article go to http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/sheep_contracting_rabies_is_ra.html

Vermont 10/14/11 reformer.com: by Josh Stilts – Police are looking for a black-and-white dog that was involved in a biting incident on Monday. According to Animal Control Officer Cathy Barrows, a woman was walking her dog on a leash near the Common when another dog got loose from its owner and charged, causing injury to both the dog and its owner. The extent of the injuries is not known at this time. Following the attack, the owner of what appeared to be a female pit-bull mix fled the scene with her dog. “At this point we have no idea if the dog is vaccinated for rabies,” Barrows said. “If the dog is not located the owner may have to undergo the rabies post-exposure series of shots.” The woman who was in charge of the dog that got loose and allegedly attacked the woman and her dog is described as average size with dark hair and in her 20s, according to police. She may also have called the dog Sissy, Sassy or a short name that began with the letter “S,” and had another smaller brown dog on a leash, the victim told police. The police are asking the owner of the dog or anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact them at 802-257-7950.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Symposium on Human Rabies Prevention and Control
October 22, 2011
Caribe Hilton, San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Puerto Rico Department of Health will host a symposium on October 22, 2011 entitled Human Rabies Prevention and Control* following the annual Rabies in the Americas conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The full-day rabies symposium will consist of presentations from rabies experts. The Symposium will provide a forum for discussion on human rabies prevention and control. The conference will bring together internationally recognized experts in rabies from academia, private and public health disciplines.  The symposium will feature presentations and discussions focusing on rabies pathogenesis, current methods for rabies diagnosis in animals and man, rabies epidemiology and policies, rabies exposure risk assessment, and rabies pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis administration based on current recommendations. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided for live participants who register in advance. – For further details go to http://www.worldrabiesday.org/EN/events/human_rabies_symposium.html

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Posts will be limited

For several more weeks

due to

carpal tunnel syndrome.

HEALTH ALERT – California’s Los Angeles County updates WEST NILE VIRUS levels to EPIDEMIC levels; Mississippi confirms WEST NILE VIRUS to blame for one new death and five other new human infections; Washington officials close OYSTER harvest in some areas; Virginia HORSE with WEST NILE VIRUS put down; Missouri landowner kills MOUNTAIN LION; and a WEST NILE VIRUS report from Tennessee. Canada: BC wildlife officer confirms MOUNTAIN LION killed two SHEEP in Erickson; and police in Battlefords, Sask., believe MOUNTAIN LION injured two HORSES. Travel Warnings for The Bahamas.

California 09/06/11 the-signal.com: by Cory Minderhout – Three more mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus in the Santa Clarita Valley, a vector control official said Tuesday. “We’re seeing levels of West Nile virus in birds and mosquito equal to 2004 and 2008,” Brown said. Two mosquito samples were found in Newhall and one was found in Canyon Country, said Crystal Brown, a public information officer for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District. The mosquito samples were collected from vector control traps in August, Brown said. West Nile virus has been updated to epidemic levels in Los Angeles County, Brown said. The virus was first introduced to Los Angeles County in 2003, Brown said. So far this year, 128 birds, eight humans, one horse, 284 mosquito samples and 14 chickens have been found infected with West Nile virus in L.A. County, according to a California Department of Public Health website. Officials declined to say which areas of the county the infected people lived. This year is being considered an epidemic year because the virus levels are the same as they were in 2004 and 2008, which were the highest reported years for L.A. County, Brown said.(For complete article go to http://www.the-signal.com/section/36/article/50655/ )

Mississippi 09/07/11 wlox.com: The Mississippi State Department of Health has confirmed one new death in Pearl River County related to the West Nile Virus. There are also new reports of five people infected with the virus in Madison, Pearl River, Tate and Washington Counties. The two newly reported Pearl River County cases became ill sometime in late July through early August but were just recently determined to be positive for WNV after consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The other three cases became ill in mid-August. So far this year, cases have been confirmed in Coahoma, Forrest (three), Hinds (four), Jones (three), Madison, Pearl River (six), and one case each in: Rankin, Tallahatchie, Tate, Wayne, and Washington counties. Two deaths have been confirmed in Jones and Pearl River counties. In 2010, Mississippi had eight WNV cases and no deaths.

Washington 09/07/11 wa.gov: News Release – Several people who ate raw oysters from the Samish Bay and Hood Canal areas got sick from a naturally-occurring bacteria called Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Oyster harvesting at Washington's Dosewallips State Park

Cooking shellfish thoroughly prevents vibriosis illness and is especially important during the summer months when warm temperatures and low tides allow the bacteria to thrive. State health officials close a shellfish growing area when there are four or more sporadic illnesses in a specific area; this recently happened in Samish Bay and in Hood Canal 5, which runs from Clark Creek (about a mile north of Hoodsport) north to Cummings Pointe. Oyster harvest in both areas has been closed by the state Department of Health to reduce exposure to Vibrio bacteria. There have been other vibriosis cases identified this summer, scattered around the state’s growing areas. Typically, Washington sees about 50 cases of vibriosis a year. More information, including maps of the affected areas, is available on the agency’s website (http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/default-sf.htm). It’s important to remember that just because an area doesn’t appear to be closed because of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, it may be closed for marine biotoxins. Check our biotoxin Web page http://ww4.doh.wa.gov/gis/mogifs/biotoxin.htm  to make sure an area you wish to harvest in is free from marine biotoxins.

Virginia 09/07/11 necn.com: A horse in Clarke County has been euthanized after testing positive for equine West Nile virus, Virginia’s first reported case this year. The state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Tuesday that the horse was euthanized Aug. 31, one day after it started showing symptoms of the illness. The horse had been vaccinated for the virus, but was due for a booster in September.

Missouri 09/06/11 mo.gov: Posted by Joe Jerek – A landowner in Texas County shot a mountain lion on Sept. 5 after encountering it on his property. The landowner then called Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) regional offices to report the incident. Shannon County Conservation Agent Justin Emery responded to the incident and conducted an investigation. Emery found no grounds for charges at this time. Although mountain lions are protected by law, Missouri’s Wildlife Code does allow people to protect themselves and their property if they feel threatened. MDC took possession of the sub-adult male mountain lion, which will be used for educational purposes and DNA testing.

The incident occurred approximately three miles from where a Shannon County landowner’s trail camera captured an image of a mountain lion on July 29. In a separate sighting, an Oregon County landowner captured an image on his trail camera of a mountain lion on Aug. 23 northeast of Alton. MDC Biologist Jeff Beringer, who is a member of MDC’s Mountain Lion Response Team, says that widely scattered mountain lion sightings have been confirmed in Missouri and likely will continue. Evidence to date indicates these animals are dispersing from other states to the west of Missouri. The most extreme evidence of this dispersal occurred in early 2011 when a mountain lion that was killed in Connecticut was genetically traced to South Dakota. MDC has no confirmed evidence of a breeding population in Missouri. MDC receives many reports each year from people who believe they have seen mountain lions. “We encourage these reports, but we can only confirm those for which there is physical evidence such as hair, scat, footprints, photos, video, a dead cougar or prey showing evidence of mountain-lion attack,” says Beringer. Reports of sightings can be sent to mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov, or by contacting Beringer at 573-882-9909, ext. 3211, Rex Martensen at 573-522-4115, ext. 3147, or Shawn Gruber at 573-522-4115, ext. 3262. Beringer adds that mountain lions are naturally shy of humans and generally pose little danger to people, even in states with thriving breeding populations. For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov and search “mountain lion.”

Knox County

Tennessee 09/07/11 volunteertv.com: Knox County Health Department (KCHD) has received another lab report confirming the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes in the Milligan Street area of East Knox County near the zoo. Following national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol, the affected area will be sprayed to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of further WNV spread. Spraying is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 8 from 9 p.m. to midnight. The spray area will include all areas east of North Cherry Street, north of Magnolia Avenue, west of North Beaman Street and South of I-40. Also included are Lakeside and Kirkwood Streets and American Avenue. Follow-up spraying will be on Thursday, Sept. 22 if weather allows.

Canada:

British Columbia 09/07/11 bclocalnews.com: by Lorne Eckeresley – A cougar attack in Erickson that left two sheep dead on Monday should serve as a reminder that cougars, like grizzly bears, are all around us, Sgt. Arnold Deboon of the BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) said on Tuesday. “It was probably a predator passing through the area,” Deboon said, referring to Monday’s incident. “People don’t realize how often they are probably close to cougars — they are very stealthy.” A live trap has been set up in an effort to catch the offending cat, but Deboon said other options are limited. “We can’t set up other types of traps because the Erickson area has lots of pets,” he said. “And, in this hot, dry weather we have only a short period in which to get tracking hounds on the scent. Unless the ground is damp, the cougar scent dissipates within an hour. … “Cougar populations further out in the wild seem to be healthy and there would be little incentive for those animals to get close to human settlements. The ones that live closer to populated areas are probably motivated by the small huckleberry crop this year.” Because cougars can roam in large areas, conservation officers don’t normally take action for a single sighting, other than to add it to their information base. “If cougars linger, though, we try to get the hounds out,” he said. Timeliness of reporting is critical, he said. Cougar sightings should be reported immediately by calling 1-877-952-7277.

Saskatchewan 09/07/11 winnipegfreepress.com: Police are urging people to be cautious following a possible cougar attack on horses just outside a Saskatchewan community. Battlefords RCMP say they were called to an acreage where two horses had long scrapes along their backs, sides and legs. The owner of the horses indicated that he had seen what appeared to be a cougar in the area. Another witness also saw what appeared to be a wildcat around the same time. Police say it’s been the only sighting and alleged attack so far. They are advising residents to travel in groups, supervise pets and children and report any sightings to the detachment.

Travel Warnings:

The Bahamas 09/08/11 thenassauguardian.com: by Krystel Rolle – There are as many as 10 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever in The Bahamas, deputy chief medical officer Delon Brennen has revealed. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is the most dangerous strain of the vector-borne disease and can be fatal. However, Dr. Brennen noted that the cases of hemorrhagic fever are few compared to the more than 3,500 cases of dengue fever that were confirmed in recent weeks. (For complete article go to http://www.thenassauguardian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12673&Itemid=27 )