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

Bat colony. Courtesy National Park Service.

Travel Warnings:

Middle East

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

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

CDC Coronavirus Investigation:

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

Mountain Lion Sightings:

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

Rabies:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wolves:

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

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

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

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1):

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

Rabies:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Novel Coronavirus:

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

Dr. Volker Thiel

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

Rabies:

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

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

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

MISSOURI confirms 39th MOUNTAIN LION sighting since 1994 ~ CANADA: University of CALGARY professor dies after brief bout with INFLUENZA A H1N1 ~ RABIES reports from AL, FL, MD, SC, TXx2, & VA.

Mountain lion. Photo courtesy National Park Service.

Missouri 02/15/13 semissourian.com: by Keith Lewis – The Missouri Department of Conservation confirmed the sighting of another mountain lion earlier this month, bringing the number of confirmed sightings in the state to 39 since 1994. The latest verification comes from a photo taken Feb. 2 in the Peck Ranch Conservation Area, a wildlife refuge operated by the department in portions of Carter and Shannon counties. “The presence of that mountain lion was documented by a trail-cam photo,” said Candice Davis, spokeswoman for the department’s Southeast Regional Office in Cape Girardeau. “That’s the best evidence we can get.” An elk calf carcass bearing signs of a mountain lion attack also was found. Conservation officials started bringing elk into Peck Ranch as part of an elk restoration effort that began in 2011.

Missouri Department of Conservation trailcam photo taken Feb 2 at Peck Ranch Conservation Area.

According to information on the department’s website, three counties in Southeast Missouri have the state’s highest number of confirmed mountain lion sightings. Shannon County leads with six, Reynolds County has five and Carter County has four. The confirmations there and in 20 other counties across the state have been exclusively of the sub-adult male of the species, which may provide a clue as to why the mountain lions are finding their way to Missouri. “It’s their nature to take off,” said Jeff Beringer, a resource scientist at the conservation department and the chairman of the agency’s Mountain Lion Response Team. “The sub-adult male is known to go a long way from home in search of food or a mate, particularly if there is competition in their native habitat that forces them to do so.” –                                                                                                              For complete article see http://www.semissourian.com/story/1941421.html

H1N1:

CANADA:

Alberta 0/17/12 ctvnews.ca: Dr. Margo Husby, a senior instructor at the University of Calgary in the Department of Communication and Culture, has passed away. Family members confirmed to CTV Calgary, Husby’s death on February 13, 2013, followed a brief battle with the H1N1 virus . . . According to Alberta Health Services influenza surveillance report, in the sixth week of 2013, there were 10 cases of hospitalized influenza in Alberta involving Influenza A (H1N1). – See http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/university-of-calgary-professor-succumbs-to-h1n1-virus-1.1160300

Rabies:

Alabama 02/15/13 Baldwin County: A raccoon captured in the Magnolia Springs/Foley area after exhibiting strange behaviors including diurnal activity and aggression has tested positive for rabies. – See http://blog.al.com/live/2013/02/rabies_diagnosis_confirmed_in.html

Florida 02/13/13 Sarasota and Manatee counties: Fourteen-year-old Lexi Lamb only wants answers about the dog that bit her. “I hate needles so much. Especially like the ones I am going to have to have for rabies shots,” Lamb told ABC Action News Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday night Lexi rode her bike along a path behind the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. As she went to turn toward her parents’ business she spotted a dog behind her. “Next thing I knew the dog was on top of me and it was not stopping. I had my face in the ground to keep it away from the dog and I looked right up and it got me in the face,” she said. Witnesses said the dog described as a Saint Bernard was pulled off of Lexi by its owner who offered help, but then left. “We don’t want to hurt either one of them. We just want to know the history of the dog so that the last thing Lexi needs to go through is rabies shots,” said her mom Jacquie Schlitter. Lexi is preparing for a 12-hour-straight bike race this weekend and only wants to be sure she is healthy so she can compete. “We have a dog ourselves and we are dog lovers, but we need to find out who you are and who the dog is just so she does not have to go through this anymore,” said Schlitter. If you have any information on the dog or the dog’s owner you are asked to call Manatee Animal Services at 941-742-5933. – See video at http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_sarasota_manatee/bradenton/girl-bit-by-unknown-dog-will-need-rabies-shots-if-dog-is-not-found

Maryland 02/17/13 Frederick County: An adult male cat with long black hair that was found in Middletown along Holter Road near the Hollow Creek Golf Course has tested positive for rabies. Anyone who may have been in contact with the cat should seek immediate medical advice. – See http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/displayUpdate.htm?StoryID=146995#.USGvQ2cp9NI

South Carolina 02/14/13 Laurens County: A skunk that attacked a woman in the city of Laurens earlier this week has tested positive for rabies. After kicking it aside three times, she went for a gun from inside the house, shot the animal, and delivered it to a local veterinarian. This is the second reported skunk attack in the vicinity within a week. – See http://www2.wspa.com/news/2013/feb/14/veterinarian-skunk-attacks-laurens-woman-tests-pos-ar-5595551/

Texas 02/14/13 Lubbock County: A striped skunk found Feb. 4^th in the NE corner of the City of Lubbock has tested positive for rabies. – See http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2013-02-14/skunk-lubbock-test-positive-rabies-other-animals-might-be-infected#.UR8qtWckRNI

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

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

Brookfield Zoo in ILLINOIS prepares MEXICAN WOLF for release in NEW MEXICO ~ HIKER attacked by MOUNTAIN LION in TEXAS at Big Bend ~ WHO issues WORLDWIDE ALERT concerning new CORONAVIRUS ~ FERAL CAT exposes three in NEW YORK to RABIES ~ CANADA: Town in ONTARIO reports first WEST NILE VIRUS fatality this year.

Ernesta. Mexican Gray Wolf.
Photo by Jim Schultz. Chicago Zoological Society.

New Mexico 11/23/12 chicagotribue.com: by Joseph Ruzich – She may have not been born free, but Ernesta, a 4-year-old Mexican gray wolf from Brookfield Zoo [Illinois], might be able to live out the rest of her life roaming the wilds of New Mexico. Ernesta was transferred from the west suburban zoo to the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility near Socorro, N.M., on Oct. 27 and is now attending “wolf boot camp” with two other male wolves that arrived when she did. The goal is to prepare them for release into the wild as part of an effort to increase the wolf population in the area. “She is doing well (in her enclosure) and is adapting with the other wolves,” said Maggie Dwire, a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “She doesn’t like to be around people, but that is a good quality for a wolf in the recovery program.”

Photo by Jim Schultz. Chicago Zoological Soc.

There are only 58 Mexican gray wolves living in the wild in New Mexico and Arizona, but there are 283 living at 52 zoos and other institutions across the United States. Most of the wolves in the wild are second- and third-generation animals that are descendants of wolves that were released from the Sevilleta facility, according to Tom Buckley, public affairs specialist for the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Mexican gray wolf population in the Southwest had been dwindling throughout the 20th century as human settlement and hunting intensified across in the area. The Fish and Wildlife Service first listed the species as endangered in 1976. The Mexican gray wolf is the southernmost-living, rarest and most genetically distinct subspecies of gray wolf in North America.Dwire said Ernesta and the two male wolves are being kept in a large fenced-in area that mimics the high desert landscape that surrounds it. There are about a dozen wolves at Sevilleta. “The goal for her is to accept one of the males as her mate,” Dwire said. “If she gets pregnant, she may be released with her mate in spring, but we might also decide to wait until late summer. There are a lot of factors that must be taken into account.” – For complete article see http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-brookfield-wolf-20121123,0,3875921.story

Mountain Lion:

Texas 11/24/12 nps.gov: Alert – A female hiker was injured by a mountain lion while hiking in a remote area of Big Bend National Park on Friday, November 23. Andrea Pinero Cebrian and her companions were exploring the Mesa de Anguila near Lajitas when she was attacked. Cebrian was treated by Terlingua Medics and her injuries are not considered to be life threatening. The Mesa de Anguila has been closed to all visitors while rangers and park biologists investigate and patrol in search of the mountain lion. Park Superintendent Cindy Ott-Jones noted “Visitor safety is our main concern here in Big Bend and we will monitor and close the Mesa until we deem it safe for visitors.” For updates or additional information please call the park at 432-477-2802.

World Health Organization (WHO) ALERT:

Global 9/23/12 who.int: Alert – On 22 September 2012, the United Kingdom (UK) informed WHO of a case of acute respiratory syndrome with renal failure with travel history to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. . . The Health Protection Agency of the UK (HPA) conducted laboratory testing and has confirmed the presence of a novel coronavirus . . . The HPA compared information from the clinical sample collected from the 49 year-old Qatari national with that of a virus sequenced previously by the Erasmus University Medical Centre, Netherlands. This latter isolate was obtained from lung tissue of a fatal case earlier this year in a 60 year-old Saudi national. This comparison indicated 99.5% identity, with one nucleotide mismatch over the regions compared.

11/23/12: WHO has been notified of four additional cases, including one death, due to infection with the novel coronavirus. The additional cases have been identified as part of the enhanced surveillance in Saudi Arabia (3 cases, including 1 death) and Qatar (1 case). This brings the total of laboratory confirmed cases to 6. Investigations are ongoing in areas of epidemiology, clinical management, and virology, to look into the likely source of infection, the route of exposure, and the possibility of human-to-human transmission of the virus. Close contacts of the recently confirmed cases are being identified and followed-up. – See http://www.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/index.html

Rabies:

New York 11/23/12 Livingston County: An apparently sick, feral cat found by an individual in the Town of York and taken to a vet for treatment has tested positive for rabies. Three people are receiving post-exposure rabies treatments. – See http://thelcn.com/2012/11/23/rabid-cat-found-in-livingston-county/

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Canada:

Ontario 11/23/12 Hamilton: Health officials confirm the first local WNV-related fatality in the city. A family member confirmed the victim was Antonio Occhiuto, 82, who died Thursday at Hamilton General Hospital. – See http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2012/11/23/hamilton-west-nile.html

PENNSYLVANIA confirms a third captive DEER linked to CWD cases escaped into the wild ~ MOUNTAIN LION reports from CO, & NE ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from FL, LA, & TX ~ RABIES reports from AZ, NY, & WIx2.

Whitetailed Buck. Courtesy National Park Service.

Pennsylvania 11/13/12 pennlive.com: by Marcus Schneck – Another deer linked to the captive herd in New Oxford, Adams County, where Pennsylvania saw its first two confirmed cases of the deadly chronic wasting disease over the past month, has been reported as escaped from a deer farm in Alexandria, Huntingdon County. The escapee – designated as Purple 4 in the state’s deer farming industry – escaped from the Gordon Trimer enclosure at 4794 Trimers Rd, Alexandria, according to Mathew Meals, deputy secretary of the state Department of Agriculture. He said prior to its escape into the wild “several months ago,” the deer was sold or otherwise transferred to Trimer from the Freedom Whitetails facility of Travis Rhodes at 694 Johnstown Road, East Freedom. Rhodes had acquired the deer from the Ronald Rutters herd at 1491 New Chester Road, New Oxford. Meals noted that the Alexandria operation did not have the required license for operating a deer farm from Ag and the situation there is “under investigation by the department.”

Indications of an additional unlicensed operation surfaced at the second of three public meetings about CWD, last Thursday in York, when “a gentlemen stood up and said that he has deer and was not licensed,” said Meals. “He did not stick around long enough for us to get his information,” he added, but additional information about that potential site also is under investigation by Ag. The Alexandria and East Freedom deer operations, as well as 27 other sites in 16 counties, have been placed under quarantine because Ag’s “track back” efforts have determined that deer at those facilities came into contact with deer from the New Oxford enclosure, which also is under quarantine. – For complete article see http://blog.pennlive.com/pa-sportsman/2012/11/another_deer_linked_to_site_of_pennsylvanias_first_confirmed_case_of_chronic_wasting_disease_is_repo.html

Mountain Lion Sightings:

Colorado 11/13/12 Fort Collins: A state wildlife officer shot and killed a mountain lion on Sunday that got into a goat shed at a research laboratory on Colorado State University’s Foothills Campus. – See http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20121113/NEWS01/311130026/Wildlife-officer-kills-mountain-lion-caught-at-CSU-Foothills-Campus?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|NEWS&nclick_check=1

Nebraska 11/14/12 Brown County: A deer hunter shot and killed a mountain lion near Ainsworth over the weekend that he said was stalking him. An official investigation determined the hunter’s actions were justified given the cat’s behavior. – See http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/newshound/2012/11/deer-hunter-shoots-mountain-lion-self-defense

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Florida 11/13/12 Alachua County: Health officials are investigating the first three human cases of WNV reported in the county since 2003. The disease had been detected on Sept. 20 in sentinel chickens used by the department. – See http://www.gainesville.com/article/20121113/ARTICLES/121119857

Louisiana 11/09/12 dhh.louisiana.gov: Update – The state’s worst year for WNV in a decade continues into the fall season, with state health officials reporting 12 new human cases and two deaths this week.There are five new neuroinvasive disease cases reported this week, from Allen (1), Avoyelles (1), Grant (1) and Rapides (2) parishes. There are six new West Nile fever cases reported this week, from Caddo (2), Jefferson (1), LaSalle (1) and Rapides (2) parishes. One new asymptomatic case was reported this week, from Bossier Parish. Louisiana has had 356 WNV cases, of which 146 are neuroinvasive disease, and 15 deaths, all of which occurred within two weeks of disease onset, thus far in 2012. – See http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2692

Texas 11/13/12 Travis County: Health officials confirm two more people have died of WNV. Both were older than 50 years. This brings the county’s WNV-related death total to 5 this year. – See http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/two-more-west-nile-deaths-in-travis-co

Rabies:

Arizona 11/09/12 Maricopa County: A bat that bit a Southeast Valley girl last weekend has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/20121109southeast-valley-girl-getting-rabies-vaccine-after-bat-bite-abrk.html?nclick_check=1

New York 11/14/12 Clinton County: A skunk killed by a resident on Jabez Allen Road in Peru has tested positive for rabies. This is the sixth animal found in the county this year that has tested positive for the virus. – See http://pressrepublican.com/0100_news/x685220652/Sixth-rabid-animal-reported-in-Clinton-County

Wisconsin 11/13/12 Madison County: A skunk found on Hill Street in Comer, and a raccoon found on West Kellogg Drive in Danielsville, have both tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.madisonjournaltoday.com/archives/5668-Two-more-rabies-cases-reported-in-county.html

Wisconsin 11/12/12 Dane County: A dog that attacked another dog and bit the dog’s owner is being sought by Department of Public Health – Madison and Dane County officials. The department said the dog was attacked on Saturday at about 3 p.m. at the Brittingham Dog Park on West Shore Drive in Madison. A man was bitten as he tried to pry open the mouth of the dog biting his dog, according to health officials. The dog is described as a black or dark bridle bull mastiff or similar breed.  It’s possibly named Sully. The dog’s owner is described as a white woman in her mid-20s, short, with an average build and brown hair. If the dog is not located, the victim might have to take an expensive and painful series of shots to prevent rabies, according to health officials. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call 608-255-2345.

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

Coyote. Courtesy National Park Service.

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

Mountain Lion Sightings:

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

West Nile Virus (WNV):

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

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

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

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

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

Rabies:

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

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

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

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

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

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending November 3, 2012:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Deer tick.

Ticks:

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

Mountain Lion Sightings:

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

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

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

Coyote Attacks:

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

Canada:

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

West Nile Virus (WNV):

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

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

Rabies:

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

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

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