MICHIGAN confirms more than 8,000 DEER killed by EHD ~ MOUNTAIN LION reports from ID, MI, & MT ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from GA, & MI ~ RABIES reports from GA, & WI.

Whitetailed Deer. PD. Wikimedia Commons.

Michigan 10/21/12 miningjournal.net: A disease has killed more than 8,000 Michigan deer this year, causing some hunters to possibly skip the season and dealing a blow to shops that sell hunting gear. The number of dead whitetails has climbed significantly since summer when hundreds were reported in just a handful of counties. Deaths now have occurred in much of the southern Lower Peninsula, west of Interstate 75, the result of [epizootic hemorrhagic disease] a disease transmitted by a biting fly [midge], according to the state Department of Natural Resources. “Something has changed that has allowed this virus to persist in the environment,” Brent Rudolph, head of the DNR’s deer program, told The Detroit News. The disease is not a threat to humans. It is transmitted by a midge fly and causes internal bleeding, high fever, loss of appetite and weakness. Summer drought and high temperatures are contributing to the high number of deaths, which stood at 8,671 as of Oct. 8.

Deer with EHD.

Michigan has more than 1 million deer. Officials believe the number of deaths is certain to climb as farmers harvest corn and discover more carcasses. Brian Bouwkamp said nine were found on his family’s 60 acres of hunting ground near Muskegon. “You can smell more dead deer out there,” he said. “But you just can’t get in to investigate. For every one we’ve found, there are probably a lot more.” At Al and Pete’s Sport Shop in Hastings, employee Jeff Schantz said purchases of guns, arrows and crossbows are down. The traditional deer season starts Nov. 15. “Some people aren’t even going to hunt this year,” Schantz said. Steve Hall, who processes deer killed by hunters, said he has not seen many during the archery season. “Everyone I talk to has bad news – people not seeing any deer or people coming across dead ones on their property,” he said. “The upcoming season is basically my Christmas. Sometimes it starts slow but never this slow.” Bouwkamp said he may hold his fire next month. “We want to give whatever deer are left a chance to repopulate,” he said.

Mountain Lion Sightings:

Idaho 10/22/12 Ada County: State wildlife officials have confirmed that a mountain lion attacked a family dog last Thursday at a home in the Meadow Creek neighborhood of Garden City. – See http://www.ktvb.com/news/Mountain-lion-attacks-dog-in-Garden-City–175263881.html

Michigan 10/22/12 Oakland County: Two people have reported seeing a mountain lion recently near Kensington Metro Park in Milford. Experts say it’s improbable, but possible. Adam Bump, a state wildlife professional, said there has never been a confirmed mountain lion sighting in the Lower Peninsula. – See http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2012/10/22/news/local_news/doc5085970826704130711217.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Montana 10/22/12 Ravalli County: A Stevensville property owner said a mountain lion killed two llamas in the vicinity of Bass Creek Road on Saturday night. Arden Cowan said he found one of the animals dead and the other fatally wounded. – See http://www.kxlf.com/news/mountain-lion-attacks-llamas-near-stevensville/

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Georgia 10/22/12 Dougherty County: Health officials have confirmed three more human cases of WNV in the county this month. The county leads the state with 11 confirmed human cases, including two deaths. – See http://www.walb.com/story/19884921/3-more-confirmed-cases-of-west-nile-in-dougherty-co

Michigan 10/22/12 woodtv.com: The Department of Community Health says there have been 223 human cases of WNV through Friday, including 13 deaths. There have been 36 cases in the city of Detroit and another 55 cases outside Detroit in Wayne County. Washtenaw, Oakland and Macomb counties combined have 61 cases. Kent County, which includes Grand Rapids, has 44 cases of WNV. – See http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/michigan-west-nile-cases-updates-october-22-2012

Rabies:

Georgia 10/21/12 Madison County: Three skunks involved in separate incidents have tested positive for rabies. The incidents were reported at Sunset Avenue & Hill Street in Comer, on Highway 172 near the intersection of Duffell Martin Road, and in the 1100 block of Duffell Martin Road.  – See http://www.madisonjournaltoday.com/archives/5599-Three-rabies-cases-reported-in-Madison-County.html

Wisconsin 10/212/12 Dane County: The Department of Public Health is looking for information regarding a dog that bit a man on Thursday around 7 p.m. It happened at Madison‘s Bowman Field, that’s at 1801 Fish Hatchery Rd. If the animal is not located, the victim may be required to complete a series of painful and costly injections to prevent rabies. The man says the dog bit him as he was preparing to play Ultimate Frisbee. The dog is described as a medium-sized gray dog with a collar and leash. The owner of the dog is a white man in his 20’s with brown hair. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at 255-2345 and ask fro the animal services officer.

CALIFORNIA WOMAN sustains minor injuries from BEAR attack ~ COYOTE report from INDIANA ~ WEST NILE VIRUS report from LOUISIANA ~ RABIES reports from GA, & TX.

Cinnamon black bear. Courtesy National Park Service.

California 10/19/12 dfg.ca.gov: News Release – An Ojai woman sustained minor injuries to her arm and back after being attacked by a bear while walking her dogs at about 7 a.m. Friday. Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens confirmed the attack at approximately 3:30 p.m. today and were on scene and continuing the investigation. The victim, a 50-year-old woman, was walking her three dogs on a road just north of the Ojai city limit adjacent to national forest when she apparently surprised a California black bear described as cinnamon brown and approximately 250 pounds with a cub described as 45 to 50 pounds.

The bears ran across the road ahead of her but the sow returned and swiped at the woman’s wrist, causing an approximately one- to two-inch laceration. The bear began to leave, then returned and charged the female who turned her back to the bear. The bear knocked her down an embankment causing several six-inch abrasions which appeared to be claw marks. The bear followed her down the hill and sniffed at the victim who sat still with her head in her lap. She stated the she could feel the bear’s breath on her neck. The bear left after about 10 seconds. The woman got herself up the embankment and called law enforcement. She did not seek medical treatment and has asked to remain anonymous.

Ojai, California.

DFG will attempt to capture the bear. Some trails in the area may be closed to hikers. There is no indication that this is the mother of the bear cub that was found and rescued in Ojai on Friday and transported to a wildlife care center over the weekend. Since 1980, there have been about 15 confirmed bear attacks in California. The most recent was in the fall of 2010 at the Fallen Leaf Lake Campground near Lake Tahoe.

Coyote Attacks:

Indiana 10/20/12 Johnson County: Coyotes have been attacking so many pets in Greenwood that officials seek to hire trappers and are prohibiting residents from leaving food for animals outside. Dozens of pets have been reported dead or missing. – See http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/south_central/coyotes-run-loose-in-greenwood

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Louisiana 10/19/12 dhh.louisiana.gov: Update – State health officials today confirmed nine new WNV human cases. No WNV deaths occurred this week. So far, there have been 321 human cases and 12 deaths from the disease reported this year. – For complete news release see http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2670

Rabies:

Georgia 10/19/12 Gilmer County: A raccoon that attacked a dog on John Call Road in Ellijay has tested positive for rabies. The dog is now in a six month quarantine, and its owner, who was potentially exposed to the virus, is receiving post-exposure treatment. – See http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/oct/19/rabies-case-reported-ellijay-ga-georgia/?breakingnews

Texas 10/19/12 Travis County: A rabies alert has been issued after two skunks involved in separate incidents in western areas of the county tested positive for rabies. – http://www.kutnews.org/post/rabid-skunks-reported-western-travis-county

EQUINE WEST NILE VIRUS cases now at 518 nationally ~ COYOTE report from ILLINOIS ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from GA, IL, OK, & SC ~ RABIES report from GEORGIA ~ CDC REPORTS: ZOONOTIC DISEASE summary for week ending October 13, 2012.

Feral horse and foal. Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, Montana. Courtesy U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

National 10/18/12 dvm360.com: by Heather Biele, DVM – In early September, 187 cases of equine West Nile virus were reported nationwide, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s disease maps. Now, just one month later, that number has soared to 518, according to a report posted on October 16. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) released a similar report in early October showing that the mosquito-borne virus is a much greater problem this year, having far surpassed 2011’s report of 87 cases. The USDA states, however, that while this number is higher than the number of cases identified last year, it’s very similar to the number of cases reported to officials years prior.

Amy Glaser, DVM, PhD, a West Nile virus expert and senior research associate at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, isn’t surprised by these numbers and actually expects a peak in caseload around this time each year. “Traditionally, the largest volume for equine West Nile virus occurs in September and October, right up until the first frost,” she says. “That typically represents the peak of cases we see during any particular epizootic year.”

At this time, only seven states remain free of the virus—Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire and West Virginia (Alaska and Hawaii have never reported West Nile virus). As of October 16, Texas holds the highest number of cases with 83, and Louisiana and Pennsylvania are close behind with 50 and 46, respectively. – For complete article see http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+Equine/Equine-West-Nile-virus-cases-almost-triple-in-past/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/793412?contextCategoryId=378

Coyote Attacks:

Illinois 10/19/12 Cook and Lake counties: A pair of coyotes attacked a dog on Thursday being walked by its owner in Buffalo Grove’s Mike Rylko Community Park. A park representative said signs have been posted advising people to remain on trails and to keep their dogs leashed. – See http://buffalogrove.patch.com/articles/park-district-warns-of-coyotes-near-buffalo-grove-park

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Georgia 10/18/12 Houston County: Family members have confirmed that 65-year-old Charles Hendrix of Warner Robins has died of WNV after a long battle with the virus. – See http://www.41nbc.com/news/local-news/15764-houston-county-man-infected-with-west-nile-virus-dies

Illinois 10/18/12 idph.state.il.us: Update – State health officials have confirmed 211 human cases of WNV in the state so far this year, including 9 fatalities. For additional statistics see http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnvglance12.htm

Oklahoma 10/18/12 Pontotoc County: Health officials confirmed today that a county man older than 65 is the 12^th person to die from WNV in the state this year. – http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=17&articleid=20121018_17_0_OKLAHO422102

South Carolina 10/17/12 greenvilleonline.com: State health officials have confirmed the number of WNV-related fatalities in the state so far this year now totals three, and there have been a total of 40 human cases of the virus reported this year, which is about 700% above the typical figure of 3 to 5 cases per year. – See http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20121017/NEWS/310170071/Three-dead-state-from-West-Nile-virus?odyssey=nav|head

Rabies:

Georgia 10/18/12 Forsyth County: A fox suspected of having rabies attacked a man and bit two dogs, authorities reported Thursday. Local officers are warning residents to be on the lookout for the fox in and near the Hampton subdivision, located off GA 400 as it remains on the loose. – See http://cumming.patch.com/articles/possibly-rabid-fox-attacks-man-dogs-in-north-forsyth

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending October 13, 2012:

Published October 19, 2012/ 61(41); ND-565-ND-578

Anaplasmosis . . . 10 . . . New York (9), North Carolina,

Babesiosis . . . 4 . . . New York (4),

Giardiasis . . . 127 . . . Alabama (3), Alaska (2), Arizona, Arkansas (4), California (27), Delaware, Florida (22), Iowa (2), Maryland (3), Michigan (2), Missouri (2), New York (17), Ohio (9), Oregon, Pennsylvania (5), Vermont (4), Virginia (3), Washington (15), Wisconsin (2), Wyoming,

Hansen Disease (Leprosy) . . . 1 . . . California, 

Lyme Disease . . .  75. . .  Florida (2), Maine (2), Maryland (6), New Hampshire, New York (37), North Carolina (3), Ohio, Pennsylvania (21), Virginia, Wyoming,

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

Rabies (Animal) . . . 56. . . Kansas (2), Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Missouri (2), Nevada (2), New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York (4), Ohio, Oklahoma (7), Texas (26), Vermont, Virginia (7),

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Confirmed) . . . 1. . . North Carolina,  

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Probable) . . . 15 . . . Arkansas (2), North Carolina (8), Tennessee (3), Virginia (2).

Scientists say CROWS may transport PRIONS that cause CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE ~ Health officials in WASHINGTON say WOMAN likely died of HANTAVIRUS ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from CDC NATIONAL, FL, MS, OH, & OK ~ RABIES reports from CA, GA, MD, NC, TX, & VA.

American Crow. Photo by Jack Wolf. Wikimedia Commons.

National 10/17/12 phys.org: Crows fed on prion-infected brains from mice can transmit these infectious agents in their feces and may play a role in the geographic spread of diseases caused by prions, such as chronic wasting disease or scrapie.

The new research published Oct. 17 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Kurt VerCauteren from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other colleagues, shows that prions can pass through crows’ digestive systems without being destroyed, and may be excreted intact after ingestion by the birds. According to the authors, their results demonstrate a potential role for the common crow in the spread of infectious diseases caused by prions.

Prions are infectious proteins that cause diseases in humans and other animals. Studies so far have suggested that insects, poultry and scavengers like crows may be passive carriers of infectious prions, but this is the first demonstration that prions can retain their ability to cause disease after passing through the avian digestive system.

Dr. Kurt VerCauteren.

The authors fed crows with brain samples from mice infected with prions, and found that the crows passed infectious prions up to 4 hours after eating the infected samples. When healthy mice were injected with the infected crow excretions, all the mice showed signs of prion disease. The authors state that their results support the possibility that crows that encounter infected carcasses or consume infected tissue may have the capacity to transport infectious prions to new locations. – For More information: VerCauteren KC, Pilon JL, Nash PB, Phillips GE, Fischer JW (2012) Prion Remains Infectious after Passage through Digestive System of American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). PLoS ONE 7(10): e45774. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045774 Journal reference: PLoS ONE search and more info website Provided by Public Library of Science

Hantavirus:

Washington 10/17/12 Grant County: Health officials have confirmed that a woman who likely died of hantavirus last month was probably exposed to the virus in her recreational vehicle south of Moses Lake. This is the second hantavirus-related death in the county this year. – See http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2012/10/grant-county-reports-hantavirus-death/

West Nile Virus (WNV):

National 10/16/12 cdc.gov: Update – As of October 16, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 4,531 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 183 deaths, have been reported to CDC. Of these, 2,293 (51%) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as meningitis or encephalitis) and 2,238 (49%) were classified as non-neuroinvasive disease. The 4,531 cases reported thus far in 2012 is the highest number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the third week in October since 2003. Almost 70 percent of the cases have been reported from eight states (Texas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, South Dakota, Michigan, and Oklahoma) 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

Florida 10/17/12 Duval County: Two men, 19 and 46 years of age, are the most recent Jacksonville residents to be diagnosed with WNV. This brings the total of confirmed cases in the city to 25 so far this year. – See http://www.news4jax.com/news/Jax-teen-man-test-positive-for-West-Nile-virus/-/475880/17023354/-/chfsp7/-/index.html

Mississippi 10/17/12 msdh.state.ms.us: Update – State health officials have confirmed a total of 232 human cases of WNV in the state this year including 5 deaths. They have also found 52 horses, 55 mosquito samples, and 12 human blood donors infected with the virus. – For county statistics see http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,93,554.html

Ohio 10/17/12 Allen County: David Sunderhaus, 58, of Lima, died Saturday of WNV marking the state’s 6^th WNV-related fatality this year. – http://www.limaohio.com/news/local_news/article_c7bc6614-187d-11e2-b88b-001a4bcf6878.html

Oklahoma 10/17/12 kxii.com: The state’s Department of Health says there have now been 170 confirmed human cases of WNV this year and 11 deaths due to the disease. – See http://www.kxii.com/news/headlines/170-West-Nile-cases-in-Okla-11-deaths-reported-174654751.html

Rabies:

California 10/16/12 Yolo County: The Sheriff’s Department is asking the public’s help to locate a dog involved in a biting incident Oct. 6 in West Sacramento. A woman was walking a dog on a leash about 11 a.m. in the area of a bike bath in the 3500 block of Bridgeway Lakes Drive when another woman jogged by on the bike path. The dog lunged at the jogger and bit her, causing moderate injury, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release. The dog owner stopped and advised the victim that her dog was current on its rabies vaccination, but the victim failed to get any personal information from the dog owner at the time to be able to verify the information, officials said. Animal Services authorities received the bite report from the victim, but a search of the area has failed to locate the owner or the dog.

The dog is described as medium size, short haired, mostly black with some reddish-colored markings. The victim was unsure of the breed, but recalled that the owner or handler used a red leash to restrain the animal. The woman walking the dog was described as white, about 50 years old, with a medium build and light brown hair that reached to the middle of her back. She was wearing a white T-shirt, black spandex walking shorts and large glasses. Authorities want to identify the dog to verify the current rabies vaccination to possibly spare the victim post-exposure rabies treatment. Anyone with information about the dog or owner is asked to call the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, Animal Services Section at (530) 668-5287, or email animal.bite@yolocounty.org

Georgia 10/17/12 Gwinnett County: A rabies alert has been issued after two raccoons found Oct. 6^th on Scenic Drive in Snellville tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/rabid-raccoons-found-in-snellville/nSfq6/

Maryland 10/16/12 Prince George’s County: by Lauren DeMarco – There is a warning from animal control after two reports of fox attacks in Bowie.  The incidents happened less than a mile apart Sunday evening in the Meadowbrook neighborhood just behind Bowie High School. The youngest victim is four years old. He received a bite to the hand. Both victims were treated for possible rabies infections. The City of Bowie Animal Services asks that residents be cautious, keep a close eye on children and pets, and be aware that any type of food or trash near your home can attract wildlife.

North Carolina 10/17/12 Iredell County: A raccoon killed by two dogs near Mocksville Highway and New Salem Road tested positive for rabies. – See http://www2.mooresvilletribune.com/news/2012/oct/17/iredells-13th-rabies-case-year-confirmed-ar-2701869/

Texas 10/17/12 Washington County: A dead skunk found last Friday near the corner of Thiel and Barbee streets in Brenham has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.brenhambanner.com/news/rabid-skunk-found-dead-in-city-limits/article_dec9384c-1877-11e2-ba22-001a4bcf887a.html

Virginia 10/16/12 Henrico County: A dead raccoon found in the 8400 block of Marroit Road in the western section of the county on Oct. 13^th has tested positive for rabies. The raccoon had been killed by a vaccinated dog. – See http://www.wric.com/story/19834763/dead-raccoon-found-in-henrico-had-rabies

MINNESOTA grouse hunter shoots WOLF to save his DOG ~ MASSACHUSETTS towns consider DEER hunting on public land to reduce incidence of LYME DISEASE ~ COYOTE reports from CA, & TX ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from GA, & TXx2 ~ RABIES reports from CT, & WI.

Gray wolf. Photo by Cephas. Wikimedia Commons.

Minnesota 10/15/12 duluthnewstribune.com: by Park Rapids Enterprise – A Minnesota grouse hunter shot and killed a wolf that attacked and was chasing his dog on state forest land southeast of Park Rapids earlier this month. According to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Sam Hunter of Park Rapids, two men were grouse hunting on Oct. 6 in the Huntersville State Forest in northern Wadena County. Both had a pair of German shorthaired pointer dogs with them. During the hunt, one of the men’s dogs came dodging back through the woods, yelping. An adult male wolf weighing 90 pounds was in pursuit. The hunter waited until he could get a clear shot and killed the wolf, Hunter said. She said she could not say with certainty why the wolf became aggressive, but said the hunter was within his legal right to kill the animal. People are allowed to kill wolves to protect themselves, or in the case of immediate harm to pets or livestock, Hunter said. She reported that the wolf was shot from about eight yards away as it closed in on the dogs and the hunter. It was felled with birdshot ammo. The hunters reported the incident immediately, and Hunter photographed the dead animal. Hunter said such encounters are rare because wolves are notoriously shy of humans. “Enforcement action was not necessary,” she wrote in her weekly report. “It was a frightening experience during a grouse hunting trip that will not soon be forgotten.”  – For photo of dead wolf see http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/246497/

Lyme Disease:

Massachusetts 10/15/12 wickedlocal.com: by Sara Mulkeen – Westborough is one of the latest towns in the MetroWest area to consider permitting deer hunting on public lands in order to curtail populations. Although towns have varying regulations on where hunting is allowed and what weapons can be used, some that have recently implemented new guidelines – such as Dover, Medfield, Framingham and Weston – have found residents willing to embrace bow hunting as a means of reducing car collisions with deer and the spread of Lyme disease. – For complete article see http://www.wickedlocal.com/westborough/features/x1272739511/More-towns-consider-deer-hunting-to-curtail-population#axzz29QUROjcf

Coyote Attacks:

California 10/14/12 Riverside County: Animal control officers say a Moreno Valley resident told them three coyotes attacked and carried off his dog when he released the dog from its leash to chase a ball on the local golf course. The officers say the golf course area is a coyote habitat. – See http://blog.pe.com/moreno-valley/2012/10/14/moreno-valley-residents-warned-to-protect-pets-from-coyotes/

Texas 10/15/12 Travis County: A boy, 14, is being treated for potential exposure to rabies after he was attacked by a coyote near his home in northwest Austin. The animal was not captured and wildlife professionals hope to trap the animal. Neighbors say there are aggressive coyotes in the vicinity. – See http://www.kvue.com/news/Austin-teen-says-coyote-attacked-him-174283131.html

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Georgia 10/15/12 Lowndes County: Health officials report that another mosquito sample collected in the county has tested positive for WNV. This is the 16^th positive mosquito found in the county so far this year. – See http://www.walb.com/story/19825517/health-officials-announce-another-positive-west-nile-finding

Texas 10/15/12 Tarrant County: Health officials confirmed today that an Arlington resident in his 70s “with underlying medical conditions” is the 10^th WNV-related fatality in the county so far this year. – See http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2012/10/tarrant-county-reports-its-10th-death-from-west-nile-virus.html/

Texas 10/15/12 thehorse.com: by Erica Larson – More than 70 Texas horses have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in 2012, according to statistics from the Texas Department of State Health Services. On Oct. 15 the department reported through its website that 72 horses residing in 49 Texas counties had been confirmed positive since the beginning of the year. The majority of those counties are located in the eastern half of the state, with just a handful being confirmed in West Texas. – See http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=20779

Rabies:

Connecticut 10/15/12 New London County: A bat found inside a city of New London home on Gardner Avenue Thursday has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.theday.com/article/20121015/NWS01/121019776/1047

Wisconsin 10/15/12 Eau Clair County: Authorities are looking for a dog that bit a young man at the Roosevelt school playground near the basketball hoops at 908 Folsum Street, in the city of Eau Clair, on Sunday, October 14, 2012 around 6:30 p.m.  The dog is described as a smaller dog that was with a young woman. The woman had dark blond, or light brown hair. The dog became loose when the victim approached to retrieve a basketball, and bit the young man. The health and rabies status of the dog needs to be determined. If anyone has information about this animal, they should contact the Eau Claire Communications Center at 839-4972.

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

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

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

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

Mountain Lion Sightings:

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

Coyote Attacks:

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

St. Louis Encephalitis:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canada:

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

Rabies:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending October 6, 2012:

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

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

Babesiosis . . . 1 . . . Maryland,

Brucellosis . . . 1 . . . California,    

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PENNSYLVANIA confirms first case of CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE on DEER farm ~ EEE & WNV reports from AZ, & FL ~ RABIES report from OREGON ~ FOLLOW-UP REPORT: COYOTE that attacked UTAH security guard tested negative for RABIES ~ TRAVEL WARNINGS: 14 new cases of MALARIA reported in GREECE.

Whitetailed Deer. Photo by ForestWander. Wikimedia Commons.

Pennsylvania 10/11/12 mcall.com: The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today confirmed the first positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the state on a deer farm in Adams County. The disease is fatal in deer, elk and moose, but there is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The World Health Organization. The positive sample was taken from a white-tailed deer at 1491 New Chester Rd., New Oxford, and tested as part of Pennsylvania’s intensive CWD monitoring efforts. The sample tissue was tested at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg and verified at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. In addition to the Adams County location, the department has quarantined two farms directly associated with the positive deer at 6464 Jacks Hollow Rd., Williamsport, Lycoming County, and 61 Pickett Rd., Dover, York County. The quarantine prevents movement of animals on and off the premises. – For complete article see http://blogs.mcall.com/outdoors/2012/10/first-case-of-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-confirmed-in-pennsylvania.html

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

Arizona 10/11/12 Mohave County: Health officials have confirmed the first human case of WNV in the county so far this year in a Mohave Valley man in his 70s. – See http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2012/10/11/news/local/doc50766f70adfa3869294419.txt

Florida 10/11/12 Hernando County: Health officials announced Thursday that one of its sentinel chickens has tested positive for the EEE. The chicken is located in the northwest corner of the county, off Zebrafinch Ave. west of U.S. 19. The result means mosquitoes carrying the virus are present in the area. – See http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2012/10/11/hernando_chicken_tes.html

Rabies:

Oregon 10/10/12 Benton County: Health officials have confirmed that a bat tested positive for rabies. This is the third positive bat for rabies in the county this year. On Tuesday, Oct. 2, a woman working at a horse arena in the Philomath area scooped two bats out of a watering trough. One bat was dead and the other was alive but weak from the time in the water. Since the bats were scooped out barehanded, it was decided they should be tested for rabies. One of the bats was positive for rabies. The woman who had contact with the bat will be evaluated for receiving the post-exposure rabies vaccine. – See http://democratherald.com/news/local/third-benton-county-bat-tests-positive-for-rabies/article_20f57026-2ecb-57ee-91c6-484d6b9e9cdb.html?comment_form=true

Follow-Up Report:

(See “UTAH security guard staffing entry booth attacked by COYOTE” posted 10/10/12)

Utah 10/10/12 standard.net: Utah officials say test results are negative for rabies for a coyote that attacked a guard at a Kennecott Utah Copper site in Salt Lake City. Leslie McFarlane of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources says the rabies test came back negative Wednesday, but a necropsy to determine any other signs of illness in the coyote is still pending. Results of the necropsy are expected sometime next week. – See http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/10/10/coyote-attack-called-strange
Travel Warnings:

Greece 10/11/12 cdc.gov: The CDC has received information that there have been 14 additional P. vivax malaria cases identified in Greece; four that are locally-acquired cases in Greek residents with no previous travel, and 10 cases in immigrants. Those 10 cases could have either been imported or acquired locally. Between Jan 1 and Oct 1, 2012, Greece has reported a total of 70 cases of malaria. Of those, 54 were caused by P. vivax (12 are locally acquired, 2 are relapses, and 40 occurred in immigrants). Those among immigrants from P. vivax-endemic countries could have either been imported or acquired locally. The immigrants reported being in Greece from as short as a few days before onset of symptoms to as long as 4 years before the onset of symptoms.

Three of the new cases occurred in areas where malaria had not been previously identified. (see map)  The first occurred in an agricultural setting in Selino, Xanthi. The second case was in a patient who travelled within Greece, and was believed to have become infected with malaria in Viotia. The third case occurred in a patient from Karditsa. The fourth new case had onset of symptoms at the end of Sep and is believed to have acquired the infection in Evrotas in the Laconia (southeastern Peloponnese) region. The agricultural area of Evrotas was the principal site of the 2011 P. vivax outbreak and was also where other locally-acquired were identified in Jun, Jul, and Aug of 2012. No new cases have been reported in Markopoulo and Marathon, two areas were cases had been identified during Jun through Aug.  No locally transmitted malaria cases have been reported in Athens.

UTAH security guard staffing entry booth attacked by COYOTE ~ MOUNTAIN LION sightings from CA, & ID ~ EEE & WNV reports from DE, NH, NJ, TN, & UT ~ RABIES reports from FL, & GA.

Coyote. Photo by Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Utah 10/10/12 sltrib.com: by Brett Prettyman – State wildlife officials are calling a coyote attack on a female security guard at Kennecott Utah Copper Monday night “rare” and “strange.” At 9:45 p.m. Monday, a contracted security officer staffing the Kennecott entrance at 10200 South and 8400 West was in a booth when a coyote entered through the door and lunged at the woman. “As the animal was engaging her, she put up her arm to defend herself, and she did get several bites on her forearm,” said Kennecott spokesperson Kyle Bennett. “She was eventually able to get the animal out of the security station, and she called for backup.” Bennett said the woman was taken to Jordan Valley Medical Center where she was treated with “a few stitches” and released. A Unified police officer responded to the scene and shot the coyote. The head of the canine was sent to the Unified State Laboratories managed by the Utah Department of Health early Tuesday for a rabies test. Authorities said results could come as early as Wednesday. – For complete article see http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55052403-78/coyote-kennecott-rabies-utah.html.csp

Mountain Lion Sightings:

California 10/06/12 San Mateo County: Police in Belmont report that a mountain lion was seen Friday in the 3200 block of East Laurel Creek. – See http://belmont-ca.patch.com/articles/mountain-lion-spotted-in-belmont-neighborhood

Idaho 10/06/12 Ada County: A Garden City resident told local police he saw a mountain lion roaming near the Les Bois Park stables Saturday. A search was conducted with negative results. – See http://www.kivitv.com/news/local/172994951.html

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

Delaware 10/09/12 New Castle County: A human case of WNV in Middletown has been confirmed as the state’s 7^th case of the virus this year. – See http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/apexchange/2012/10/09/de–west-nile-virus.html

New Hampshire 10/09/12 Rockingham County: More mosquitoes have tested positive for EEE in Newton and Newfields. – See http://www.eagletribune.com/newhampshire/x1475177804/Third-case-of-EEE-found-in-Newton

New Jersey 10/09/12 Passaic County: A 75-year-old woman has become the third person in the state to die of WNV this year. – See http://www.northjersey.com/news/Passaic_County_woman_75_dies_of_West_Nile.html

Tennessee 10/09/12 Davidson County: Health officials in Nashville today confirmed that a 70-year-old man is the first WNV-related death in the state this year. So far, 29 human cases have been documented in the state in 2012. – See http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/09/west-nile-virus/1622463/

Utah 10/09/12 Box Elder County: Bear River health officials today confirmed the WNV-related death of a man over the age of 65. This is the state’s first WNV-related fatality this year. – See http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55051830-78/virus-health-death-cases.html.csp

Rabies:

Florida 10/10/12 Pinellas County: by Laura C. Morel – Health officials are looking for a child of about 3 years of age who may have been exposed to rabies after being clawed by a raccoon at Sawgrass Lake Park just before 2 p.m. on Thursday. A park employee who witnessed the incident asked the man accompanying the child to seek medical attention, but the man left the park at 7400 25th St. N with the toddler and refused to provide contact information. – See http://www.tampabay.com/news/bizarre/rabies-concerns-cause-officials-to-search-for-boy-clawed-by-raccoon-at/1255561

Georgia 10/08/12 Hall County: A raccoon that made contact with two dogs near Bark Camp Road in Gainesville last week has tested positive for rabies. This is the 21^st confirmed case of rabies in the county so far this year. – See http://www.11alive.com/news/article/259929/13/Rabid-raccoon-found-in-Gainesville

EHD virus in ILLINOIS may have killed more than 2,000 DEER ~ CALIFORNIA confirms GROUND SQUIRREL positive for BUBONIC PLAGUE ~ Scientists say LYME DISEASE will continue to spread ~ MOUNTAIN LION report from IDAHO ~ COYOTE reports from CA, FL, & ILx2 ~ EEE/WNV report from CAx2, CO, FL, LA, & VT ~ RABIES reports from TN, TX, & VA ~ CDC REPORTS: ZOONOTIC DISEASE summary for week ending September 29, 2012.

Whitetail Buck. Courtesy of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Illinois 10/05/12 dnr.illinois.gov: News Release – State officials today announced updated results of monitoring of deer mortality in the state attributed to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD).  Since an earlier update on September 6, many Illinois citizens have taken the time to make reports of sick, dead, and/or dying animals throughout the state. The IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources thanks those individuals who have taken time to provide information on EHD-probable deer mortality in the state. As of September 30, there were 2,043 deer reported as probable EHD deaths, with reports from 76 counties.  The highest numbers were reported from Cook (326); Calhoun (181); Coles (138); Macon and Shelby (121). Hunters taking to the field in Illinois for archery deer hunting and the Oct. 6-7 Illinois Youth Firearm Deer Hunt need not be concerned about eating venison from animals that may have contracted EHD and survived.  EHD has no impact on humans, pets, or livestock. – For complete news release and county maps see http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/news/Pages/EpizooticHemorrhagicDisease%28EHD%29IllinoisUpdate.aspx

Bubonic Plague:

Ground squirrel. Courtesy National Park Service.

California 10/05/12 inlandnewstoday.com: For the first time in nearly a decade, bubonic plague has been confirmed in Riverside County.  State health officials said Thursday that a ground squirrel tested positive. It was found during routine testing at the Fern Basin campground in the San Jacinto Mountains north of Idyllwild. It’s an area where similar findings were an annual occurrence in the 1990’s. Bubonic plague is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted from wild rodents to humans through bites from infected fleas. Campers are being warned to stay away from squirrels and other wild animals.

Lyme Disease:

National 10/05/12 petsandparasites.org: by Dr. Chris Carpenter – The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) 2012 Fall Lyme Disease Forecast calls for increased risk in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region, the upper Midwest, the Southeastern United States and all along the West Coast. The disease incidence is steadily spreading southward, even into some areas traditionally free or with low incidence of Lyme disease such as the Midwest and parts of the Southeast. The Northeast continues as the most Lyme endemic region of the country. – For complete article see http://www.petsandparasites.org/about-capc/

Mountain Lion Sightings:

Idaho 10/05/12 Ada County: A Boise police bicycle officer saw a mountain lion at about 9:30 a.m. Friday, according to a release from the police department. The cat was spotted beyond 31st and Pleasanton streets in a remote gravel area. The animal fled the area, and officers were unable to locate it. Police are consulting with Idaho Fish & Game officials. The Friday morning sighting was the fifth since Wednesday. – See http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/10/05/2718042/cougar-sighting-friday-morning.html

Coyote Attacks:

California 10/05/12 Orange County: A Tustin family says their small dog was fatally injured by a coyote in their Laurelwood neighborhood front yard last month. So far this year, local police have reported 13 coyote sightings near Bryan Avenue and Jamboree Road, about 2 miles from Laurelwood. – See http://www.ocregister.com/news/coyote-373645-coyotes-residents.html

Florida 10/05/12 Orange County: Residents in Dr. Phillips are petitioning to have coyotes removed after several family pets were killed. They say sightings occur on a daily basis and their afraid to allow pets, or even small children, out of their sight. – See http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/10/5/neighbors_start_peti.html

Illinois 10/05/12 DuPage County: Local police report two small dogs survived a coyote attack on September 27^th in the 2000 block of Stonebridge Court in Wheaton. One dog was treated for four bites on the neck and face. – See http://wheaton.patch.com/articles/dogs-survive-coyote-attack-in-wheaton

Illinois 10/05/12 DuPage County: A Winfield family says their dog, a Yorkshire terrier, was fatally injured by a coyote in their yard adjacent to the Illinois Prairie Path on Wednesday. – See http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8837288

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

California 10/06/12 Shasta County: Health officials have confirmed the county’s first human case of WNV this year. This person is the 217^th human case of WNV in the state this year. – See http://anewscafe.com/2012/10/06/first-human-west-nile-virus-infection-of-2012-identified-in-shasta-county/

California 10/05/12 Merced County: Health officials confirm that a 26-year-old woman from Gustine has presented the first human case of WNV in the city this year. – See http://www.westsideconnect.com/2012/10/05/human-case-of-west-nile-in-gustine-2/

Colorado 10/05/12 Pueblo County: Health officials have confirmed one human case of WNV in the city of Pueblo, and suspects another. – See http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/puebloan-contracts-west-nile-virus/article_5bb26fc6-0f46-11e2-b001-001a4bcf887a.html

Florida 10/05/12 Jackson County: Health officials have reported a human case of WNV in the county, and a horse stabled on Sellers Road between Malone and Campbellton has tested positive for EEE. – See http://www2.jcfloridan.com/news/2012/oct/05/west-nile-eee-reported-jackson-county-ar-4693739/

Louisiana 10/05/12 dhh.louisiana.gov: Update – State health officials have confirmed 25 new human cases of WNV, but not new deaths occurred this week. So far this year, 305 human cases of WNV have been reported, including 11 WNV-related deaths. – See http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2651

Vermont 10/06/12 Essex County: Health officials have confirmed that a second person in the state has been infected with WNV and is recovering. – See http://www.reformer.com/latestnews/ci_21711420/second-case-west-nile-identified-vermont

Rabies:

Tennessee 10/05/12 tnpublichealth: State health officials are currently distributing oral rabies vaccine packets in eight northeast counties to prevent the spread of rabies in raccoons. The air drops began Tuesday and will continue through Oct. 12^th.

Texas 10/05/12 Wichita County: Two skunks found near Wichita Falls, one southwest of the city and the other southeast, have tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2012/oct/05/skunks-near-city-positive-rabies/

Virginia 10/04/12 Virginia Beach: A fox that attacked four people on Border Way off Salem Road has tested positive for rabies. – See video report at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjTzOY28pqg

CDC Reports:

CDC MMWR Summary for Week ending September 29, 2012:

Published October 5, 2012/ 61(39); ND-536-ND-549

Anaplasmosis . . . 1 . . . New York,

Babesiosis . . . 4 . . . California, New York (3),

Brucellosis . . . 2 . . . California (2),    

Ehrlichiosis . . . 8 . . . North Carolina (7), Tennessee,

Giardiasis . . . 167 . . . Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas (5), California (20), Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho (2), Iowa (3), Maine, Maryland (5), Massachusetts (7), Michigan (4), Missouri (7), Nebraska (5), New York (55), Ohio (21), Oregon (4), Pennsylvania (6), Vermont, Virginia, Washington (15), Wisconsin,

Lyme Disease . . .  161. . .  California, Delaware (4), Maine (3), Maryland (25), New Hampshire, New York (72), North Carolina (11), Pennsylvania (32), Vermont (5), Virginia (7),

Q Fever (Acute) . . . 2 . . . North Carolina (2), 

Rabies (Animal) . . . 46. . . Idaho (5), Kansas (2), Missouri, New Hampshire, New York (8), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (6), Rhode Island, Vermont (2), Virginia (17),

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Confirmed) . . . 2. . . Maryland, Missouri, 

Spotted Fever including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Probable) . . . 43 . . . Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana (2), Kentucky (3), Missouri (2), North Carolina (21), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee (8), Virginia (3),

Tularemia . . . 1 . . . Missouri.

CALIFORNIA MAN’s death believed due to RABID BAT bite ~ Other RABIES reports from FL, ME, MN, & NY ~ MOUNTAIN LION report from IOWA ~ WEST NILE VIRUS reports from AL, CT, FL, & MS.

Mexican Free-tailed Bat. Photo courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey.

California 10/05/12 cdc.gov: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report – On July 8, 2012, a U.S. resident was admitted to a hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for evaluation of right arm spasticity, anxiety, and malaise. By the next day, the patient had become comatose following a period of agitation. On July 31, he died. Investigators from CDC, state, and local health departments determined that the patient acquired rabies from contact in March with a bat in California. (Tests showed the patient’s viral RNA sequence was similar to a viral variant associated with the insectivorous Mexican free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis, a species common in the southern United States and Mexico.) Once symptoms begin, rabies is almost always fatal. While he was potentially infectious, during June 11–July 31, the patient traveled on eight international flights through six countries. To date, 59 persons have been identified as contacts, and 23 persons have been administered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP); no secondary cases have been identified. Bites or scratches from bats or other animals suspected of having rabies should be regarded seriously; victims should promptly seek consultation with public health practitioners and medical-care providers. This report highlights the need for collaboration to 1) identify persons who potentially had contact with infectious materials from a person infected with rabies, 2) conduct a risk assessment, and 3) provide prophylaxis to all those with a reasonable risk for contact with infectious materials (e.g., tears, saliva, or neural tissue from a person with rabies contacting open wounds or mucous membranes of an uninfected person). – For complete case report and references see http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6139a1.htm?s_cid=mm6139a1_e

Author’s Note: According to an article in the 10/04/12 issue of the Mercury News eEdition, the victim was a 34-year-old man from California’s Contra Costa County. – See http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_21703098/contra-costa-county-man-dies-from-rabies-believed

Other Rabies Reports:

Florida 10/04/12 Bay County: A raccoon killed in the vicinity of Highway 79 and Panama City Beach Parkway near Panama City Beach has tested positive for rabies. This is the 9^th animal testing positive for the virus in the county so far this year. – http://www.wtvy.com/news/headlines/Rabies-Confirmation-in-Bay-County-172737621.html

Maine 10/04/12 Sagadahoc County: A raccoon that bit a vaccinated dog in the north end of Bath on Monday has tested positive for rabies. This is the third case of rabies confirmed in the city so far this year. – See http://bangordailynews.com/2012/10/04/news/midcoast/raccoon-that-attacked-dog-marks-third-confirmed-rabies-case-in-bath-in-2012/?ref=latest

Minnesota 10/04/12 Lyon County: A family’s pet cat that suddenly began biting and acting strangely has tested positive for rabies. The cat, which was unvaccinated, was reported to have had exposure to a skunk within the past month. – See http://www.marshallindependent.com/page/content.detail/id/536293/Lyon-County-cat-tests-positive-for-rabies.html?nav=5015

New York 10/04/12 Herkimer County: A fox suspected of biting two Frankfort residents in separate incidents over the course of two days has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Two-bitten-by-rabid-fox-in-Frankfort-172760931.html

Mountain Lion Sightings:

Iowa 10/04/12 Polk County: Local Des Moines city police shot and killed a mountain lion today in the 3900 block of Columbia Street not far from an elementary school. A homeowner reported the large cat in his backyard and when the animal attempted to escape the officers shot it in the interest of public safety. – See http://www.kcci.com/news/central-iowa/Police-shoot-mountain-lion-in-back-yard-of-Des-Moines-home/-/9357080/16855062/-/uy6i25z/-/index.html

West Nile Virus (WNV):

Alabama 10/03/12 Lauderdale County: Health officials report the latest human case of WNV has been identified in a male county resident in his 50s. The total number of human cases statewide is now 31 so far this year. – See http://www.waff.com/story/19729022/more-west-nile-virus-cases-confirmed-in-north-ala

Connecticut 10/04/12 ct.gov: Human cases of WNV in the state have reached a record high of 18. The largest concentrations are in Fairfield and New Haven counties. – See http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/2012/10/04/conn-sets-record-for-human-west-nile-cases/4MeK69gg041cwi6DFI5jjM/story.html

Florida 10/04/12 Bay County: Health officials have confirmed that a blood screening process has identified a human case of WNV in a 46-year-old woman who tested positive for the virus. – See http://www.wmbb.com/story/19738291/first-case-of-west-nile-virus-confirmed-in-bay-county

Mississippi 10/03/12 Madison County: Health officials confirm that last week a county resident died of WNV. To date, there have been 200 human cases, including five deaths. – See http://onlinemadison.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=25625