Another interior ALASKA WOLF tests positive for RABIES ~ More RABIES reports from AL, CA, FL, & WV.

Gray wolf. Courtesy National Park Service.

Alaska 05/02/13 alaskadispatch.com: by Jerzy Shedlock – A second wolf has tested positive for rabies in Interior Alaska. The news comes just a week after the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced another wolf shot in the same region tested positive for the viral disease. It was the first animal to test positive for the virus so far inland. A trapper shot the wolf in mid-March near the Chandalar Lake area — roughly 180 miles north of Fairbanks, near the Brooks Range — after spotting the animal caught in a trap. The trapper described the wolf’s behavior as dull and unaware, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.A state virology lab in Fairbanks confirmed on Wednesday that the wolf was infected with rabies. The trapper who shot the wolf wasn’t directly exposed to the disease but his dogs were. The dogs ate the wolf’s raw carcass while camping on a trap line. Now, the dogs are home and believed to be on rabies vaccinations. As directed by State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Gerlach, the dogs will receive booster shots and be placed under quarantine.

Kimberlee Beckmen, a wildlife veterinarian for Fish and Game, said feeding the raw meat of wild animals to pets is dangerous. “Pets can not only become infected,” she said in Thursday press release, “they can transmit the diseases and parasites to their owners,” with rabies among the most serious. In late March, a trapper shot an abnormally acting wolf near Chandalar Lake. The wolf tested positive for rabies and the people who had cut their hands during the skinning process were treated for rabies exposure. A number of rabies cases have been diagnosed along the northern and western coasts of Alaska this winter, and more cases are expected to be found among arctic and red fox populations. These animals pose exposure risks to people but an even greater risk to dogs in Alaska Bush villages, according to the press release. “People in that area should be on high alert,” Gerlach told the Dispatch. – For complete article see http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130502/second-interior-alaska-wolf-tests-positive-rabies

Rabies:

Alabama 05/02/13 Shelby County: A puppy that was the pet of a family living in the vicinity of the Beeswax Creek boat launch near Columbiana has tested positive for the raccoon strain of rabies. – See http://www.cbs42.com/2013/05/02/fourth-rabies-case-confirmed-in-shelby-county/

California 05/02/13 San Bernadino County: Health officials are trying to find a man who may have been exposed to a rabid bat deep in the Mojave Desert. “The bat landed on the man’s neck outside the book store at Kelso Depot (in the) Mojave National Preserve on Tuesday, April 30,” San Bernardino County health officials said in a written statement. “The bat tested positive for rabies.” Officials want the man to contact the Communicable Disease Section of the county’s Department of Public Health at 800-722-4794 or 909-356-3805. – See http://www.pe.com/local-news/san-bernardino-county/20130502-mojave-desert-rabid-bat-prompts-search-for-endangered-man.ece

Florida 05/02/13 Palm Beach County: A raccoon found by a vaccinated dog in Jupiter Farms last Saturday has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/raccoon-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-jupiter-farms/nXfK8/

West Virginia 05/02/13 Mineral County: A raccoon recently captured in the Piedmont area has tested positive for rabies. – See http://times-news.com/local/x730867629/News-Briefs-05-03-2013

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

 

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

Hantavirus:

Deer mouse. Courtesy USDA.

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

Texas County

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

Rabies:

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

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

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

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

Is WHITE ANIMAL found dead in MAINE a WOLF, COYOTE, or DOG? ~ WOMAN in MANITOBA, CANADA, attacked by WOLF ~ MONTANA reports first case of HANTAVIRUS for 2013 ~ RABIES reports from AL, CA, GA, NJ, NCx2, ND, PA, & TXx3.

One of six white wolves at the White Wolf Sanctuary near Tidewater, OR. Photo by Oregon Dept. of Transportation.

Maine 03/22/13 seacoastonline.com: by Laura Dolce – Wildlife experts say they are one step closer to determining exactly what type of animal was found in Kennebunk Monday night — a wolf, coyote or dog. The story has kept people talking for days, with some speculating that the mystery animal was either a coy dog — a coyote-dog combination — or a wolf/dog hybrid. Others worried it could have been someone’s pet. The mystery first started when the white animal staggered out of the woods around 7 Monday night behind a Balsam Lane home, crawled under the back porch and died. Resident Ryan Chiasson, 14, was at home with friends. “My friend was in the bathroom and looked out window and said, ‘Oh my God, there’s a wolf!’” she said. At that point, the three teens ran onto the back porch. “It came up and stared at us,” Chiasson said. “It was limping and its mouth was open. It seemed confused.” Chiasson said the animal then went under the porch and laid down. The teens, fearing it was perhaps rabid, went in to call police. “When we came back out, it was dead,” Chiasson said. While Chiasson and her friends thought the all-white animal was an albino wolf, a Kennebunk police officer who came to the scene told them it was a coyote. – For the complete article and photos of the animal see http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20130322-NEWS-130329898

Canada:

Manitoba 03/18/13 cbc.ca: A woman in Manitoba, Canada, was receiving rabies treatment Wednesday after surviving a roadside attack by a timber wolf. Dawn Hepp was driving along a highway near Grand Rapids, Manitoba, on March 8 when she pulled over to see if a stopped motorist was in need of help, Canadian national broadcaster CBC reported. As she walked to the other motorist’s car, the wolf leapt at her. “His face and his jaws were around my neck,” she told CBC, adding that she could feel the wolf’s fur on her face. “He dug a little deeper with that tooth and by the larynx,” she added. “Whether he couldn’t get a good enough grip or what, he let go.” . . . Remaining calm, Hepp drove herself to the hospital in Ashern and was treated for puncture wounds and rabies. – For complete article and photos of victim’s wounds see http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/03/18/mb-wolf-attack-dawn-hepp-manitoba.html

Hantavirus:

Deer mouse

Montana 03/22/13 kpax.com: A Deer Lodge County resident has been diagnosed with Hantavirus in what the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department says is the first case for 2013. The person, who came in contact with the virus while cleaning an area that had been contaminated by rodents, is expected to make a full recovery. – See http://www.kpax.com/news/deer-lodge-co-resident-diagnosed-with-hantavirus/

Rabies:

Alabama 03/19/13 Shelby County: A dog that was kept in the vicinity of County Road 61 in Columbiana and was reported acting strangely by its owner has tested positive for a variety of the rabies virus typically found in raccoons. – See http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2013/03/19/dog-tests-positive-for-rabies-near-columbiana/

California 03/20/13 Kern County: Officials say Kern is a rabies endemic county and in the past two weeks three of six bats tested have been found positive for the virus. Some of the bats tested were found in residential areas, and one was found in a schoolyard. – See http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/kern-county-is-a-rabies-endemic-county-seeing-an-increase-in-rabies-infested-bats-in-two-weeks

Georgia 03/20/13 Forsyth County: A bat recently discovered in the backyard of a home on Riverhaven Drive in east Forsyth county has tested positive for rabies. – See http://cumming.patch.com/articles/rabid-bat-found-in-forsyth-county-backyard

New Jersey 03/18/13 Morris County: Local police say a raccoon that bit a child who was playing in a wooded section of land behind his home in the Indian lake section of Denville Township is likely to have rabies. The animal has not been located and an alert has been issued. – See http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2013/03/young_child_was_bitten_by_racc.html

North Carolina 03/21/13 Orange County: by Beth Velliquette – A fox that was suspected of attacking two people in southern Chapel Hill Wednesday has tested positive for rabies. The North Carolina Public Health Laboratory tested the fox after Orange County Animal Services impounded the fox Wednesday about noon and sent the now-dead animal to the lab for testing. Animal services can’t say for sure if the fox that tested positive is the same fox that attacked two people Dogwood Acres and Southern Village on Tuesday, but they believe there’s a strong likelihood that it is. On Tuesday afternoon, a man on a ladder pruning bushes was attacked by a fox that climbed up to bite him. Officials began looking for the fox and tried to alert people in the area to be careful, but later a fox attacked a woman in Southern Village, which abuts Dogwood Acres. The next morning, the search was on again for the fox and, around noon, someone contacted authorities saying he had run over a fox that attacked the tires of his vehicle. – See http://www.heraldsun.com/news/x145781283/Chapel-Hill-fox-tests-positive-for-rabies

North Carolina 03/20/13 Davidson County: A skunk that attacked an unvaccinated dog on March 13^th in Denton has tested positive for rabies. The skunk was killed by the dog, and the dog had to be euthanized. – See http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20130320/News/303209982

North Dakota 03/20/13 Burleigh County: A skunk that attacked a construction crew in Bismarck and bit one of the men before it was killed with a shovel has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=62751

Pennsylvania 03/18/13 Luzerne County: Three Wilkes-Barre residents are being treated for exposure to the rabies virus after being attacked by a feral cat last week. The first victim was bitten on the leg by an orange tabby cat on George Avenue and when fliers were posted in the neighborhood two other people reported they had been scratched by the cat. – See http://psdispatch.com/news/local-news/361960/3-undergoing-treatment-for-rabies

Texas 03/18/13 Coryell County: Three skunks found in Gatesville this month have tested positive for rabies. The first was found in the 100 block of Pate Drive, the second in the 100 block of Ash Drive, and the most recent in the 1000 block of Highland Drive. – See http://www.kcentv.com/story/21672737/three-skunks-test-positive-for-rabies-in-gatesville-in-recent-weeks

Texas 03/20/13 Travis County: by Eric Janzen – The Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services department is looking for a man who dropped off a sick bat at a local vet clinic. The department is concerned the man may have been exposed to rabies. The man delivered the bat to Austin Vet Care, 4106 North Lamar, on Sunday around 2:30 p.m. He is described as a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, and bald with a stocky build. The man was last seen wearing a green t-shirt and black shorts. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Disease Surveillance Program at 512-972-5555. – See http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/officials-looking-for-man-who-may-have-rabies

Texas 03/21/13 Gregg and Harrison counties: A bat caught in Longview Tuesday at a unit in the Hidden Hills Apartment complex off Gilmer Road has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.news-journal.com/news/local/bat-caught-at-longview-apartment-complex-tests-positive-for-rabies/article_6e824274-9273-11e2-804c-001a4bcf887a.html

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

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

MICHIGAN DNR seeks help with Lower Peninsula WOLF survey ~ COLORADO confirms eight reports of MOUNTAIN LIONS attacking DOGS ~ RABIES reports from TX, & VA.

Gray wolf. Photo by Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Michigan 02/08/13 michigan.gov/dnr: The Department of Natural Resources will conduct a wolf track survey Feb. 11 through March 8 to detect the presence of gray wolves in the northern Lower Peninsula. “Given the low probability of observing an actual wolf or its tracks in the Lower Peninsula, it’s helpful to have as many eyes looking as possible,” said DNR wildlife biologist Jennifer Kleitch. “That’s why public reports are so important.” Sightings of wolves or tracks believed to have been made by a wolf, between Feb. 11 and March 8 can be reported to the Gaylord Operations Service Center at 989-732-3541, ext. 5901. Wolf observation reports can also be submitted online at www.dnr.state.mi.us/wildlife/pubs/wolf_obsreport.asp.

Wolves began naturally returning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula via Canada and Wisconsin in the early 1990s. Since that time populations have increased and continue to expand their range. Evidence of range expansion into the Lower Peninsula came when a gray wolf was accidentally killed in Presque Isle County in 2004. Survey teams will respond to areas where there have been one or more observations. Priority will be placed on recent reports and those submitted during the survey period. “It’s important that observations are reported promptly so we can work with fresh evidence. If people find what they believe are wolf tracks, they should preserve the track, disturbing it as little as possible, or take a photo of the tracks with a ruler,” stated Kleitch. “If someone has a photo of a wolf in the Lower Peninsula, we’d certainly be interested in that as well.”

The DNR is partnering in this survey effort with USDA Wildlife Services, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Information on wolves in Michigan and links to other wolf-related Web pages can be found at www.michigan.gov/wolves. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Mountain Lion Attacks on Pets:

Colorado 02/09/13 cbslocal.com: There has been a string of mountain lion attacks in the foothills. The attacks have all been centered around Evergreen, Kittredge and the Bailey area . . . A total of eight dogs have been attacked. “Having eight in the last two to three months is a little bit worrisome, especially for people who have small kids,” Luke McChesney with the Evergreen Animal Hospital said. From sun down to sun up, animal experts say to keep pets close . . . Colorado Parks and Wildlife says young mountain lions looking for easy prey can target small pets. Keeping pets inside or in a caged area can also keep them safe . . . They also say mountain lions are extremely unlikely to attack people — children or adults. – For complete article see http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/02/09/mountain-lion-attacks-on-the-rise-in-the-foothills/

Rabies:

Texas 02/08/13 Cameron County: by Allen Essex – The city of South Padre Island is working with the Texas Department of State Health Services to distribute vaccination bait that prevents coyotes that eat the material from contracting the canine form of rabies, city officials said in a statement. The bait was distributed Friday morning by city workers in areas of the city where coyotes normally travel, officials said. – See http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/local/article_c322e96c-726d-11e2-88d9-0019bb30f31a.html

Virginia 02/09/13 Smyth County: A raccoon found in the Grubmore Road area of the county has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.tricities.com/swvatoday/news/smyth_county/article_062085dc-7249-11e2-a6bb-001a4bcf6878.html

MAN in northern BRITISH COLUMBIA dies of HANTAVIRUS ~ Impact of free-ranging DOMESTIC CATS on WILDLIFE in the UNITED STATES ~ MONTANA wolf trapper snags MOUNTAIN LION, PARK EMPLOYEE, and PARK RANGER ~ UTAH officers put down three MOUNTAIN LIONS for attacking family PETS ~ Endangered MEXICAN GRAY WOLF released in ARIZONA ~ More show HORSES quarantined with EQUINE HERPES VIRUS in COLORADO ~ RABIES reports from CA, & TX.

Deer mouse. Image by U.S. Army Medical Department.

Canada:

British Columbia 01/28/13 ca.msn.com: Health officials from B.C. and Yukon are in Atlin, B.C., today looking for the source of a deadly case of Hantavirus. The rare disease is normally spread through the urine and feces from deer mice. Officials confirmed the virus was responsible for the death of Gerhard Holmok, 45, earlier this month. Holmok died suddenly Jan. 9 at the Whitehorse hospital. Doctor Ronald Chapman, the Chief Medical Health officer for northern B.C., said the Atlin death is the most northerly case of Hantavirus ever diagnosed in the province. “Up until 1995, the farthest north the virus occurred in B.C. is up to Williams Lake, so this is certainly the farthest north.” – For complete article see http://news.ca.msn.com/local/north/bc-man-died-from-hantavirus-yukon-officials-confirm

Domestic Cats:

National 01/29/13 nytimes.com: by Natalie Angier – In a report that scaled up local surveys and pilot studies to national dimensions, scientists from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the Fish and Wildlife Service estimated that domestic cats in the United States — both the pet Fluffies that spend part of the day outdoors and the unnamed strays and ferals that never leave it — kill a median of 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion mammals a year, most of them native mammals like shrews, chipmunks and voles rather than introduced pests like the Norway rat. The estimated kill rates are two to four times higher than mortality figures previously bandied about, and position the domestic cat as one of the single greatest human-linked threats to wildlife in the nation. More birds and mammals die at the mouths of cats, the report said, than from automobile strikes, pesticides and poisons, collisions with skyscrapers and windmills and other so-called anthropogenic causes. Peter Marra of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and an author of the report, said the mortality figures that emerge from the new model “are shockingly high.” “When we ran the model, we didn’t know what to expect,” said Dr. Marra, who performed the analysis with his colleague, Scott R. Loss, and Tom Will of the Fish and Wildlife Service. “We were absolutely stunned by the results.” The study appeared Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. The findings are the first serious estimate of just how much wildlife America’s vast population of free-roaming domestic cats manages to kill each year. – For complete article see http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/science/that-cuddly-kitty-of-yours-is-a-killer.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

Mountain Lions:

Montana 01/30/13 missoulian.com: by Tristan Scott – A mountain lion caught recently in a wolf foothold trap set on the southwestern boundary of Glacier National Park was turned loose by state wildlife officials, but the National Park Service employee who discovered the animal and reported it to game wardens was caught the following day when he sprang a second trap in the same area. The seasonal employee discovered the trapped mountain lion Jan. 19 along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River just outside of the park boundary, which is defined by the high-water mark on the north side of the river. The park employee was conducting wildlife research and reported the trapped cougar to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials. Erik Wenum, an FWP wildlife specialist, responded to the scene near Harrison Creek and darted and released the mountain lion. He also issued a trapping violation to the trapper for exceeding the amount of exposed bait permitted as an attractant. According to the state’s wolf trapping regulations, no trap may be set within 30 feet of an exposed carcass or bait that is visible from above, a measure intended to minimize the number of raptors unintentionally caught in the traps. FWP Warden Capt. Lee Anderson said the park employee returned to the area with a park ranger the following day and, while attempting to show the ranger where the incident had occurred, accidentally sprung another trap, which caught the bottom of his heel. The employee, who was wearing waders, was not injured. – For complete article see http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/traps-catch-lion-then-ranger-on-glacier-park-boundary/article_51c1c208-6a7e-11e2-9f6c-001a4bcf887a.html

Utah 01/29/13 parkrecord.com: By Caroline Kingsley – Two pets were attacked by mountain lions early Tuesday morning in Woodland. One pet was found dead and another injured less than a mile away. The incidents are still under investigation, and information about what type of pets were attacked has not yet been released. An officer from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) responded to the report and was able to quickly track one of the mountain lions responsible for the animal’s death and euthanize it. Two more mountain lions were discovered by late morning. In all, three mountain lions were captured and euthanized: one adult female and two young mountain lions. Douglas estimates there are about six incidents in Northern Utah involving mountain lions each year. “It happens especially near people that live in areas close to the winter range where deer come down. That’s what mountain lions are following,” Douglass said. – For complete article see http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_22475275/three-mountain-lions-attack-pets

Mexican Gray Wolf:

Arizona 01/29/13 care2.com: by Alicia Graef – This month, a 4-year-old Mexican gray wolf known as M1133 is getting a taste of the wild after being  released into Arizona’s Apache National Forest in the hope that he will join the Bluestem wolf pack, whose alpha male was illegally killed last year. M1133′s release marks the first time a Mexican gray wolf has been released since 2008. The species once roamed vast portions of the Southwest and Mexico, but were eradicated by the 1900s in the U.S. over conflicts with humans and livestock, while populations dwindled in Mexico. In the 1980s, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved the Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, which recommended a captive breeding program and supported a goal of maintaining at least 100 wolves in their historic range. Fish and Wildlife officials hope that M1133 will pair up with the Bluestem pack’s alpha female, who has still not chosen a new mate. However, some are still concerned that even if he does, it still will not boost their small population. As of now, the number of Mexican gray wolves in the wild is estimated to be less than 60 in New Mexico and Arizona with just six breeding pairs, and recovery efforts have been an uphill battle. – For complete article see http://www.care2.com/causes/endangered-mexican-gray-wolf-released-in-arizona.html

Equine Herpes Virus:

Colorado 01/30/13 cbslocal.com: Colorado agriculture officials have confirmed that a horse that was used during the National Western Stock Show in Denver has a potentially fatal virus. The 6-year-old gelding from Texas was part of a team of quarter horses that pulled a stagecoach during rodeo performances during the National Western Stock Show that ended Sunday. The infected horse is among seven horses that have been quarantined at the National Western Stock Show coliseum due to concerns about equine herpes virus, and a hold order was placed on six other horses still being tested. – See http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/01/30/virus-confirmed-in-horse-used-at-national-western/
Rabies:

California 01/29/13 Sonoma County: A cat that was taken to a veterinarian on Monday by its owner because it was displaying strange and aggressive behavior has tested positive for rabies. Family members are being treated for exposure to the virus and officials are evaluating neighbors for potential risk of exposure. – See http://news.sonomaportal.com/2013/01/29/glen-ellen-cat-had-rabies/

Texas 01/30/13 Gregg and Harrison counties: A woman is receiving post-exposure rabies shots after being bitten by a bat Monday at Home Depot in Longview. The woman was picking up concrete blocks to load onto a cart at the time. The bat could not be located. – See http://www.news-journal.com/news/local/woman-to-undergo-rabies-treatment-after-bat-bite/article_f650a1c1-4ec2-5741-b857-9e566aa195ac.html

CALIFORNIA scientists find new VIRUS causing fatal BRAIN CANCER in RACCOONS ~ ANNOUNCEMENT: WASHINGTON wildlife officials schedule public meetings to discuss GRAY WOLF recovery & management ~ IOWA reports rapid increase in domestic DEER with CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE ~ FOLLOW-UP REPORT: MASSACHUSETTS BOBCAT had RABIES ~ Other RABIES reports from GA, & VA.

Raccoon kit. Photo courtesy National Park Service.

California 01/09/13 wired.com: by Brandon Keim – An outbreak of a previously unknown virus that causes fatal brain cancer in raccoons has been detected in northern California and southern Oregon. Tumors and the new virus were found in 10 raccoons autopsied between March 2010 and May 2012. Nothing like them had been seen before in raccoons, in which tumors are very rare. There’s no reason to think the virus could be contagious to humans. Its emergence does, however, raise fascinating questions about how it evolved and whether patterns of suburban development actually fueled its rise. “We need to understand how infectious pathogens are empowered by global changes,” said veterinary pathologist Patty Pesavento of the University of California, Davis, leader of the team studying the new disease, which was reported in the January issue of Emerging Infectious Disease. “If there’s a new niche, pathogens will find it.” Nine of the raccoons came from around Marin County, just north of San Francisco, and the 10th was sent from southern Oregon. The raccoons had been spotted wandering in daylight, approaching humans, falling unconscious and generally displaying signs of neurological distress. Tumors appeared to have formed in their olfactory tracts, spread to their frontal lobes and compressed their mid-brains (see picture below). Reviews of scientific literature and calls to veterinary pathologists across North America found no precedents.

Patty Pasavento, DVM

In each of the tumors, but not in brain tissue from raccoons tested for comparison, Pesavento’s team found an unknown form of polyomavirus, one of a group of viruses known to cause a rare form of skin cancer in humans and tumors in other animals, including mice and birds. Pesavento’s team called it raccoon polyomavirus. “The connection between the novel polyomavirus and these raccoon brain tumors is strong,” said disease ecologist Richard Ostfeld of the Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies, who was not involved in the research. The exact virulence and contagiousness of the new virus is unknown, but there’s reason to think it’s high. Raccoons killed by the tumors accounted for more than one-fifth of all the raccoons Pesavento’s group autopsied between March 2010 and May 2012, and the cases they saw are likely the disease’s tip. Citation: “Novel Polyomavirus associated with Brain Tumors in Free-Ranging Raccoons, Western United States.” By Florante N. Dela Cruz, Federico Giannitti, Linlin Li, Leslie W. Woods, Luis Del Valle, Eric Delwart, and Patricia A. Pesavento. Emerging Infectious Disease, Vol. 19 No. 1, January 2013. – For complete article see http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/01/raccoon-cancer-outbreak/

Announcement:

Wolves:

Washington 01/07/13 wdfw.wa.gov: News Release – The recovery and management of gray wolves in Washington and other western states will be the topic of three public meetings this month hosted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). A panel of experts will discuss ongoing efforts to recover Washington’s gray wolf population, the latest information from population surveys in Washington and gray wolf management strategies used in other states.  “Wolves are a high-profile species that attract considerable public interest from people who often have opposing views,” said Dave Ware, WDFW game manager. “This is a great opportunity for people interested in gray wolves to hear from experts about the recovery of the species throughout the West.” Keynote speakers include Mike Jimenez, Rocky Mountain wolf coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Wyoming; Carter Niemeyer, retired wolf specialist with the USFWS and the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services; and Donny Martorello, WDFW carnivore section manager.  Lorna Smith, executive director of Western Wildlife Outreach, an independent wild carnivore education organization based in the state of Washington, will moderate the meetings. Each meeting will include an opportunity for the public to submit questions to the presenters about wolf recovery and management. The public meetings are scheduled for:

• Jan. 16 – Center Place Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley, 6-8 p.m.
• Jan. 17 – Office Building #2, at 14th Ave. and Jefferson St., Olympia, 2:30-5 p.m.
• Jan. 18 – Magnuson Park’s Garden Room, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, 6-8 p.m.

For further details see http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jan0713a/

Chronic Wasting Disease:

Iowa 01/08/13 journalexpress.net : by Mark Newman – News of domesticated deer with chronic wasting disease may become more common. As for the wild deer population, scientists still want assistance. Last week, a third deer in Davis County was revealed to have chronic wasting disease. The state said Pine Ridge hunting preserve cooperated with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in putting up a fence-inside-a-fence to keep their deer from going nose-to-nose with wild deer. And whenever a client on their preserve successfully hunts a deer, that animal is given over to the DNR for testing. Chronic wasting disease causes deer to lose weight, to stumble around or to act extremely sleepy. It eventually results in death of the deer. DNR deer biologist Tom Litchfield told the Courier Monday there are other illnesses that mimic CWD, but any deer that show such symptoms are tested anyway. Scientists have said CWD is not a danger to humans, even those who eat deer meat — though they never recommend eating any infected meat. The initial positive sample was confirmed in July, submitted from a deer shot in December 2011. The second positive test was confirmed Dec. 12, 2012, from a deer harvested Dec. 1. The fear among state officials and nature enthusiasts is that an infected deer in a pen did or will give the disease to deer in the wilderness. The third sample came from a male deer harvested Dec. 15 at the Pine Ridge Hunting Preserve in Davis County. That brings the number of known infected deer in Iowa from zero six months ago to 13 as of this week. All are from enclosed hunting or breeding facilities. – For complete article see http://journalexpress.net/community-news-network/x1633446428/Chronic-wasting-disease-sees-fast-rise-in-Iowa

Follow-Up Report:

(See Likely RABID BOBCAT attacks MASSACHUSETTS MAN and his NEPHEW posted 01/08/13)

Massachusetts 01/09/13 telegram.com: A bobcat that attacked two people in Brookfield on January 6^th has tested positive for rabies. A third was exposed to the animal’s blood. All three had already begun receiving post-exposure rabies vaccinations. – See http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130109/NEWS/101099989/1116

Other Rabies Reports:

Georgia 01/08/13 Fannin County: Health officials confirm four people in Morgantown were exposed to a pet llama that has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/08/4-people-in-northwest-georgia-exposed-to-rabies-by-pet-llama/

Virginia 01/08/13 James City County: A skunk found in the Oakland Subdivision area of the county has tested positive for rabies. – See http://wtvr.com/2013/01/08/skunk-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-james-city-county/

OREGON WOLF known as OR-7 appears to be enjoying life in CALIFORNIA ~ And another OREGON WOLF known as OR-16 swims to IDAHO – WASHINGTON MAN attacked by pack of COYOTES ~ RABIES report from NORTH CAROLINA.

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

California  01/01/13 latimes.com: by Bettina Boxall – Like many out-of-state visitors, the lone gray wolf that trotted across the border from Oregon has taken a liking to California. He went back and forth between the two states a handful of times after his initial crossing into Siskiyou County on Dec. 28, 2011. But since spring, the young male has remained in the Golden State, loping across forests and scrublands, up and down mountains and across rural highways in California’s sparsely populated northeast. The first wild wolf documented in California in nearly 90 years, he has roamed as far south as Tehama County — about halfway between the border and Sacramento — searching for other wolves, and a mate. “I guess he’s being the Lewis and Clark of wolves in California,” said wolf advocate Amaroq Weiss.

State and federal biologists are using a tracking collar to follow OR7 — his official designation — and they’re impressed. Not only has he traveled more than 3,000 miles since leaving his pack in northeastern Oregon, he’s demonstrated exceptional homing abilities. “He can find the same locations [after] weeks, sometimes a couple of months, coming back from a completely different direction,” said Karen Kovacs, wildlife program manager for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Since summer, OR7 has spent most of his time in western Plumas and eastern Tehama counties on a mix of public and private lands, with some jaunts into neighboring Butte County. He seems to dine mostly on mule deer, following their seasonal migrations from mountains to lower elevations. Fortunately for him, he has avoided people and livestock. The wolf was accused of killing a cow and her calf and some other livestock, but Kovacs said investigations found no evidence that OR7 was the culprit. The cow died giving birth to the calf, which was either born dead or died soon after birth and was then eaten by coyotes.

None of the wolves in these photos is OR-7.

There have been a number of reported sightings of the 3-1/2 -year-old wolf, but only a few have been confirmed. One was in a state wildlife area in November, when a man hunting with his daughter saw a group of deer emerge from a woodland. Behind it was a single deer running from what appeared to be a wolf. The animal broke off the chase, looked in the direction of the hunters and trotted away. The excited pair reported the sighting, and radio signals placed OR7 in the area. “The timing, the behavior, the location; we’re pretty sure it was OR7,” Kovacs said. Although he has journeyed much farther from his home pack than is typical, the wolf is doing what young males do, searching for a mate and other wolves with which to form a pack. He returns to areas where he has left his scent, hoping to find signs of other wolves. It is possible that other gray wolves without radio collars have crossed into the Northern California wilds from Oregon, where there are a number of packs. But biologists have found no evidence of them, and Kovacs said the chances are slim that OR7 will find a mate in California. – For complete article see http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-wolf-california-20130102,0,6588131.story

Not OR-16.

Idaho 01/02/13 wallowa.com: A wolf recently captured, collared and photographed north of Elgin has crossed the Snake River into Idaho. OR-16, an 85-pound yearling male wolf, crossed from Oregon into Idaho on Dec. 19, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported. ODFW captured OR-16 on Nov. 1 and fitted the animal with a GPS collar. ODFW later determined that he was part of the Walla Walla pack in northern Umatilla County.

Coyote Attacks:

Washington 12/29/12 komonews.com: by Kristen Drew – A local man was attacked by coyotes in his own backyard and spent most of Friday night in the emergency room. Now he is now warning others to be on the lookout – and he’s especially worried for pets and children in the area. Faron Scarberry says he moved to Kent about two weeks ago and he’s already facing an unexpected danger in the neighborhood. “I love wildlife,” he says, “I like looking out the deck, looking at them. But when they’re starting to threaten the animals and people in the neighborhood, it’s gone a little bit overboard.” Scarberry says three coyotes attacked him Friday night while he was walking his dog in the backyard.  “They come up toward my face, and I kind of blocked them and pushed them away, and that’s when the one grabbed me by the leg,” he says. Scarberry spent most of the night in the emergency room – diagnosed with a coyote bite and scratches. He got 24 rabies shots in his leg and two in his hip.- For complete article and TV news report video see http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Kent-man-attacked-by-coyotes-in-his-own-backyard-185180232.html?tab=video&c=y

Rabies:

North Carolina 12/31/12 Guilford County: A raccoon that came in contact with a dog on Russell Avenue in High Point has tested positive for rabies. Health officials confirm this is the county’s 28^th case of animal rabies this year. – See http://www.digtriad.com/news/article/261346/57/Guilford-Health-Officials-Confirm-28th-Rabies-Case-

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

Red fox after mouse. Photo by State of Connecticut.

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

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

Shrew. Photo by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

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

Rabies:

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

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

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

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

West Nile Virus (WNV):

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