PIROPLASMOSIS, EQUINE - USA (03): (KANSAS, MISSOURI)

*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases



Date: Mon 27 Jul 2009
Source: TheHorse.com [edited]



Third piroplasmosis horse reported missing
------------------------------------------
A 3rd horse that tested positive for equine piroplasmosis was
illegally removed from quarantine in June [2009], stated a report
issued to the World Organization for Animal Health (Office
International des Epizooties, or OIE) by John Clifford, DVM, deputy
administrator of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service. The OIE report lists the source of the current cases as
unknown or inconclusive, with notations for illegal movement of
animals and sharing of needles
[].

In June [2009] animal health officials confirmed equine piroplasmosis
in Missouri after a horse formerly stabled at the Raytown Equestrian
Park was hospitalized and found to be positive for the disease,
setting off a foreign animal disease investigation. The stable, home
to 64 equids, was placed under quarantine on 6 Jun 2009. On 17 Jun
2009, someone removed 2 bay Quarter Horses that had been confirmed
positive for causative organism _Theileria equi_ from the Raytown
quarantine. These horses have not been located. Another 5 horses were
euthanized 18 Jun 2009 with their owners' consent.

According to the 26 Jun 2009 OIE statement, a 3rd positive horse was
also illegally removed from quarantine in Kansas. A spokesman for the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the Kansas horse was
a gray mare that had originated from the Raytown premises.

Equine piroplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by either of 2
different protozoal parasites that attack the red blood cells. It is
characterized by fever, anemia, weight loss, jaundice, and, in some
cases, death. The case fatality rate can be up to 20 percent in naive
horses (those which have never been exposed). The only treatment is a
potent type of chemotherapy that can have serious side effects in
some horses. United States officials have screened all imported
horses for piroplasmosis for nearly 30 years.

The equids remaining at the index premises had re-tested negative for
_Theileria equi_ as of 24 Jun 2009. Additional test results were
pending at the time of the report.

[Byline: Erin Ryder]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[Whoever earlier took the Missourian positive horses on 17 Jun 2009
removed locks on the stable and stall doors to access the animals,
according to a statement released by the Missouri Department of
Agriculture (see .
How and when -- apparently sometime between 17 and 26 Jun 2009 --
this infected 3rd horse was removed from its stable in Kansas has yet
to be revealed. The websites for the Kansas Animal Health Department
() and the Kansas Department
of Agriculture () are uninformative. Members
and especially veterinarians should be on the lookout for these 3
horses on the run. - Mod.MHJ]

[The US states of Kansas and Missouri can be located on the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map at
. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Piroplasmosis, equine - USA (02): (MO) 20090612.2172
Equine piroplasmosis - USA: (FL) quarantine lifted 20090225.0771
2008
----
Piroplasmosis, equine - USA (04): (FL) 20080930.3088
Piroplasmosis, equine - USA: (03) (FL) 20080828.2687
Equine piroplasmosis - USA (02): (FL) 20080823.2626
Equine piroplasmosis - USA: (FL) 20080819.2579
1996
----
Equine piroplasmosis - Georgia (USA) (2) 19960116.0097
Equine piroplasmosis - Georgia (USA) 19960112.0066]
...................................mpp/mhj/mj/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Become a ProMED-mail Premium Subscriber at

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org
(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.
############################################################
############################################################

Illinois Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli Contamination

E. S. Miller Packing Co., is recalling approximately 219 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The products subject to recall include:

10-pound Cryovaced bags of bulk "EDWARD S. MILLER PACKING CO., GROUND BEEF." Each bag bears the establishment number "EST. 34342" inside the USDA mark of inspection and case codes of "070709," "070809," "070909" or "071009."

12- and 15-pound boxes "EDWARD S. MILLER PACKING CO., GROUND BEEF PATTIES." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 34342" inside the USDA mark of inspection and case codes of "070709," "070809," "070909" or "071009."

These ground beef products were produced from July 7, 2009, through July 10, 2009, and were distributed to consumers and several local restaurants in the Montgomery and Paw Paw, Ill., areas, located in northern Illinois. The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

JULY-13-09: Illinois Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli Contamination [USDA: GROUND BEEF RECALL]


Legal Help
If you or a loved one has suffered illness or adverse health effects from consuming these products, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.

Click on title above for legal help and a free evaluation of your possible case


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/submit_form.html?label=ground-beef-recall-e-coli-outbreak-food

EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS, EQUINE - USA (05): (MISSOURI, VIRGINA

***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


[1]
Date: 9 Jul 2009
Source: Meridian Star [edited]



A horse in Wayne county [Missouri] has been diagnosed with eastern
equine encephalitis, [caused by] a virus which is transmitted to
horses by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can also transmit the virus to
humans, and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the
virus can cause brain inflammation, coma, or death. The virus has an
approximately 1/3 mortality rate for humans.

The CDC website states that the virus can be avoided by avoiding
mosquito bites. Mosquito bites can be avoided by using an
EPA-registered repellent, wearing protective clothing, avoiding
outdoor activity when mosquitoes are active, and removing standing
water that can provide mosquito-breeding sites. More information on
the virus and other mosquito-borne diseases is available at
.

Dr. Alison Moore of Seal-Laird Veterinary Hospital said the horse that
was diagnosed with the virus has died. Encephalitis cannot be
transmitted from horses to humans. The virus is transmitted from birds
to mosquitoes and from mosquitoes to both horses and humans. Infection
of a horse does not increase the risk of infection of a human, but it
is an indicator that [infected] mosquitoes are active. Being around
horses does not increase a person's risk of contracting encephalitis,
but being around mosquitoes does.

The infection of a horse does not necessarily indicate that the risk
of contracting encephalitis for humans is higher than normal.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

******
[2]
Date: 13 Jul 2009
Source: The Horse.com [edited]



Virginia's 1st case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a horse
this year [2009] has been confirmed by the Virginia Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

The horse, a 2-year-old female draft cross from Chesapeake, was
confirmed positive for EEE late in the afternoon of 10 Jul 2009.

A veterinarian euthanized the horse prior to diagnosis on 3 Jul 2009
due to the severity of her clinical signs, which included
incoordination, depression, and fever (105 F), progressing to an
inability to stand without help.

This is the 1st reported case of EEE in a horse in Virginia this year
[2009]. Last year, the state had only one case, reported in September
2008. So far, there have been no reported cases of West Nile virus
(WNV) in Virginia horses this year.

In an April 2009 press release, Richard Wilkes, DVM, state
veterinarian encouraged horse owners to work with their veterinarians
to plan a vaccination schedule that would protect their horses from
EEE. Available vaccines are effective in drastically reducing the
incidence of both EEE and WNV in horses. The vaccines are effective
for 6 to 12 months, so horses should be re-vaccinated at least
annually. In an area where the disease occurs frequently, such as
southeast and Tidewater Virginia, most veterinarians recommend
vaccination every 6 months.

For the vaccine to be effective, it must be handled and administered
properly and be given at least 2 weeks before the horse is exposed to
the virus. Additionally, to stimulate full immunity, horses must be
vaccinated twice, about 30 days apart, the 1st year of vaccination.
Generally, EEE is transmitted by mosquitoes. Other prevention methods
include destroying standing water breeding sites for mosquitoes, using
insect repellents, and removing animals from mosquito-infested areas
during peak biting times, usually dusk to dawn.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[Vaccinations are combined with other encephalitis vaccines such as
West Nile virus and western equine encephalitis. Protection from
eastern equine encephalitis wanes more quickly than the others and
should be given more often, perhaps every 6 months. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA (04): (FL, LA) 20090709.2454
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA (03): (FL) 20090701.2378
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA (02): (LA) 20090627.2332
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA: (GA) 20090613.2197]
.............................................tg/msp/jw
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Become a ProMED-mail Premium Subscriber at

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org
(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.
############################################################
################################################

EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS, EQUINE - USA (05): (MISSOURI, VIRGINA)

***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


[1]
Date: 9 Jul 2009
Source: Meridian Star [edited]



A horse in Wayne county [Missouri] has been diagnosed with eastern
equine encephalitis, [caused by] a virus which is transmitted to
horses by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can also transmit the virus to
humans, and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the
virus can cause brain inflammation, coma, or death. The virus has an
approximately 1/3 mortality rate for humans.

The CDC website states that the virus can be avoided by avoiding
mosquito bites. Mosquito bites can be avoided by using an
EPA-registered repellent, wearing protective clothing, avoiding
outdoor activity when mosquitoes are active, and removing standing
water that can provide mosquito-breeding sites. More information on
the virus and other mosquito-borne diseases is available at
.

Dr. Alison Moore of Seal-Laird Veterinary Hospital said the horse that
was diagnosed with the virus has died. Encephalitis cannot be
transmitted from horses to humans. The virus is transmitted from birds
to mosquitoes and from mosquitoes to both horses and humans. Infection
of a horse does not increase the risk of infection of a human, but it
is an indicator that [infected] mosquitoes are active. Being around
horses does not increase a person's risk of contracting encephalitis,
but being around mosquitoes does.

The infection of a horse does not necessarily indicate that the risk
of contracting encephalitis for humans is higher than normal.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

******
[2]
Date: 13 Jul 2009
Source: The Horse.com [edited]



Virginia's 1st case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a horse
this year [2009] has been confirmed by the Virginia Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

The horse, a 2-year-old female draft cross from Chesapeake, was
confirmed positive for EEE late in the afternoon of 10 Jul 2009.

A veterinarian euthanized the horse prior to diagnosis on 3 Jul 2009
due to the severity of her clinical signs, which included
incoordination, depression, and fever (105 F), progressing to an
inability to stand without help.

This is the 1st reported case of EEE in a horse in Virginia this year
[2009]. Last year, the state had only one case, reported in September
2008. So far, there have been no reported cases of West Nile virus
(WNV) in Virginia horses this year.

In an April 2009 press release, Richard Wilkes, DVM, state
veterinarian encouraged horse owners to work with their veterinarians
to plan a vaccination schedule that would protect their horses from
EEE. Available vaccines are effective in drastically reducing the
incidence of both EEE and WNV in horses. The vaccines are effective
for 6 to 12 months, so horses should be re-vaccinated at least
annually. In an area where the disease occurs frequently, such as
southeast and Tidewater Virginia, most veterinarians recommend
vaccination every 6 months.

For the vaccine to be effective, it must be handled and administered
properly and be given at least 2 weeks before the horse is exposed to
the virus. Additionally, to stimulate full immunity, horses must be
vaccinated twice, about 30 days apart, the 1st year of vaccination.
Generally, EEE is transmitted by mosquitoes. Other prevention methods
include destroying standing water breeding sites for mosquitoes, using
insect repellents, and removing animals from mosquito-infested areas
during peak biting times, usually dusk to dawn.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[Vaccinations are combined with other encephalitis vaccines such as
West Nile virus and western equine encephalitis. Protection from
eastern equine encephalitis wanes more quickly than the others and
should be given more often, perhaps every 6 months. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA (04): (FL, LA) 20090709.2454
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA (03): (FL) 20090701.2378
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA (02): (LA) 20090627.2332
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA: (GA) 20090613.2197]
.............................................tg/msp/jw
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Become a ProMED-mail Premium Subscriber at

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org
(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.
############################################################
############################################################

TEXAS CATTLE FEVER TICK - USA: (TEXAS) QUARANTINE EXPANDED

**********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 6 Jul 2009
Source: Texas Animal Health Commission, news release [edited]



Ranchers, Regulators Weary from Cattle Fever Tick War
-----------------------------------------------------
Texas animal health officials have cast another wide net in the battle
to eradicate cattle fever ticks in South Texas. The Texas Animal
Health Commission (TAHC) has temporarily quarantined 152 716 acres in
Starr and Hidalgo counties. In nearby Zapata County, 5-mile quarantine
perimeters are being drawn around fever-tick infested pastures. A
foreign pest, the cattle fever tick has the capability to carry and
transmit _Babesia_ spp, a blood parasite that can kill adult cattle.
Although it prefers cattle, the fever tick can survive and be carried
on horses, aoudad sheep, deer, elk and a number of other deer species.

Since October 2008, (the beginning of the 2009 federal fiscal year)
127 fever tick-infested premises in 8 South Texas counties have been
detected and quarantined. Of these, 68 premises are in Zapata County,
51 are in Starr County, and the remainder are scattered among
Maverick, Brooks, Cameron, Kinney, Dimmit and Webb counties. This
year's infested premises tally will eclipse last year's count of 132,
and could meet or beat the record set during the 1973 fever tick
outbreak -- 170 infested premises.

"The Starr-Hidalgo temporary quarantine is the 5th since July 2007 and
was implemented fewer than 70 days after we released nearly 375 000
acres from temporary quarantine in Webb, Dimmit and Maverick
counties," said Dr. Hillman. "We had very good results in Webb, Dimmit
and Maverick Counties, where the tick-infested premises count has
dropped to 5. About 250 000 acres remain under temporary quarantine in
the 3 counties.

"In rural Zapata County, there are no appropriate roads or easily
identified boundaries for establishing a temporary quarantine.
Therefore, to accomplish adequate tick surveillance in Zapata County,
premises within 5 miles of an infested pasture are being temporarily
quarantined." Dr. Hillman explained that ranchers in the temporary
quarantines can move livestock after the animals undergo a clean tick
inspection and treatment by the USDA Tick Force or TAHC.

Dr. Hillman explained that Tick Force and TAHC teams work inward from
the outer edges of the temporarily quarantined area, inspecting
ranches with cattle, horses and wildlife hosts to determine the
outermost spread of the fever tick infestation. Not only do animals
become tick-infested, but so do the pastures, as fever ticks may wait
in the grass for months, before finding a suitable onto a host
animal." said Dr. Hillman.

"When infested premises are detected, the animals and pasture are
quarantined for 9 months or longer, and a variety of tick eradication
measures are taken. Cattle are inspected and run through dipping vats
spray boxes charged with the pesticide CO-RAL. Another treatment being
evaluated in field trials is injectable doramectin. Horses are
sprayed, and wildlife are provided medicated feed or enticed to
treatment stations where their ears and neck rub against
pyrethrin-coated posts while they eat.

Alternatively, once cattle are 'tick-free,' the cattle may be moved to
a new site, allowing the pasture to be 'vacated' for months, causing
the ticks to starve. Greater success is achieved, however, by leaving
cattle in place and continuing to inspect and treat the animals every
14 days with CO-RAL or every 25 to 28 days with doramectin. Ticks
picked up from the grass by the cattle and destroyed by treatment,
eventually leaves the pasture free of the pest. This long and costly
process is a burden to the ranchers who must hire helicopters and
cowboys time after time to round up the cattle from the thick brush,"
said Dr. Hillman.

Add one/Cattle Fever Tick War
-----------------------------
"With each new infested premises, costs rise for the fever tick
program -- more equipment, more personnel, more products and more
time. Sadly, because we have worked so hard to keep this outbreak
contained to South Texas, it is not fully recognized as a national
animal health issue, with potential international consequences," said
Dr. Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian and head of the TAHC, the
state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. "The longer it
takes to eradicate this fever tick incursion, the greater are the
chances fever ticks will be spread to other states, which will raise
the costs exponentially. More people, more national resources and new
tick-fighting products are needed now to get this potentially deadly
pest out of the U.S."

Dr. Hillman said the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) is helping ranchers with land management techniques to help
reduce cattle fever ticks, including, but not limited to,
cross-fencing, brush management, prescribed burning and prescribed
grazing to help with livestock handling, to destroy cattle fever tick
habitat, and to help manage wildlife.

For the 2010-2011 biennium, the Texas Legislature appropriated an
additional USD 500 000.00 a year in state funds for the fever tick
program. The TAHC will [use] some of the funds to hire 5 new fever
tick personnel. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Tick Force has
received some funding to hire temporary and term workers, but
sustainable, ongoing funding of about USD 15 million per year is
needed to support this program, eradicate the current outbreak and
prevent future problems. I urge industry and lawmakers to support
fever tick eradication while it is still a brush fire confined to
South Texas. The situation with this foreign pest could become a
wildfire, particularly if ticks begin transmitting Babesia, and we
have cattle deaths. We don't need a replay of the 1800s, when
thousands of cattle died from tick fever," he said.

Although the fever tick was declared eradicated from the U.S. in 1943,
it has never been wiped out in Mexico, which serves as a continuous
source for tick reinfestation in Texas. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Tick Force has fewer than 60 riders to patrol the 900
miles of the Rio Grande on horseback from Del Rio to Brownsville, and
apprehend 'ticky' Mexican cattle, horses, deer, elk and susceptible
species that cross the river. Detecting ticks in this narrow permanent
fever tick buffer zone is expected, due to the prevalence of the tick
in Mexico, explained Dr. Hillman. "Finding them farther inland
indicates that our defenses are inadequate and that wandering wildlife
or stray or smuggled livestock are spreading the foreign ticks. Today,
60 percent of the fever tick infestations are encroaching deeper into
the 'free' areas of the state," said Dr. Hillman.

The boundary of the new temporary quarantined area in Starr and
Hidalgo counties begins at the intersection of Military and Garza
Roads in La Joya, in Hidalgo County. It follows Garza northward to the
intersection with US Highway 83, where it follows the highway to the
intersection with Jara Chinas Road. The boundary continues north on
Jaras Chinas until it turns northwest on 14 Mile road, then north on
Salazar Road to the intersection with FM 490. The boundary follows FM
490 northwest, crossing the county line into Starr County and
continuing to the intersection with the fence line of El Junco Ranch.
At this point, the boundary turns south, following the ranch fence
line to Las Brisas Road/Pimienta Road, where it continues south to
U.S. Highway 83. The boundary follows Highway 83 southeast, where it
follows Montalvo Road, then Military Road to the intersection with
Garza, the starting point of the zone.

--
Communicated by:
Carla Everett


[As the article explains, it is a very expensive and time consuming
task to eradicate the carrier of this disease. In the 1940's cattle
were dipped in large vats with an arsenic-containing dip. Co-Ral is
not an arsenic dip, but rather an organophosphate, which can inhibit
cholinesterase. This chemical is a restricted use pesticide, meaning
special training and handling is required to use it. - Mod.TG]

[Photo of cattle being run through a dip at

Picture of engorged Texas fever tick _Margaropus annulatus_

Photo of Aoudad (Barbary) sheep at

- Mod.JW]

[A map showing the counties of Texas is available at:
- CopyEd.EJP]

[see also:
2008
----
Texas cattle fever tick - USA (02): (TX) quarantine expanded 20080705.2046
Texas cattle fever tick - USA: (TX), quarantine expanded 20080418.1384
Texas cattle fever tick - USA (TX): quarantine extended 20071005.3292]
....................tg/ejp/jw
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Become a ProMED-mail Premium Subscriber at

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org
(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.
############################################################
############################################################

USDA Ignoring Scrappie Infected Navajo Sheep

American Indian Genocide Continues - Scrapie Prion
July 5, 2009 by admin1
Discuss Now!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The planned genocide against the Navajo People of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah continues with the latest poisoning and cover-up by the United States.

Navajos have faced well documented cases of mining Uranium without required protection, exposing them to facing premature abortions, cancer, degenerative diseases and death.

They have lived in the shadow of Rio Puerco, a Uranium waste spill that exceeds 3 Mile Island in the amount of nuclear material leached into the ground, with hundreds of people effected and which has yet to be cleaned up.

They have been poisoned by the United States at Fort Windgate, where Navajo People were exposed to the Hantavirus for the crime of living downwind from the Fort Windgate Munitions Depot. Though rarely mentioned, all cases of Hantavirus in the United States have occurred downwind of U.S. Military Munitions Storage Depots, in Hanford, in Long Island, New York and in Southern California.

And now:

Below is an urgent report we received from New Mexico. Dr Milo Muller has found evidence of mass poisoning of the sheep supply and gross criminal neglegence in the oversight of the USDA, further poisoning the Navajo People.

Not only are we demanding an investigation to this outbreak of Scrapie Prion (Mad Sheep Disease), but all the horrors that the Navajo people have faced in the last 30 years.

“This is continued planned genocide.” Charges Russell Means. “They cannot explain it otherwise.”

Miloslav Muller, DVM, MPVM
634 Eastlake Drive
Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124
505-892-9288

Dear Friend:

My name is Dr. Milo Muller, I am living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and my profession is a veterinarian epidemiologist. My specialty is a veterinary public health, and part of my training is to investigate outbreaks of diseases transmissible from animals to humans.

Recently, in dealing with two issues of disparate treatment of American Indians in New Mexico, I found an issue that desperately needs the attention of the American public. In this instance, the Federal Government created this issue, failed to take corrective action when violations

of federal laws became known to the upper management in Washington, DC, and then stonewalled a proper investigation of this malfeasance, comparable only to infamous government Tuskegee Experiment on African-American men in 1940’s.

My first concern is that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is unlawfully blocking a proper investigation of reckless exposure of American Indians residing on Navaho Reservation in New Mexico to Scrapie Prion (infection agent similar to Mad Cow Disease). My numerous letters and submissions to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and to the USDA Inspector General regarding this malfeasance have been ignored, in direct violations of federal government policies and regulations.

Attached to this email in .PDF file are a few examples of my letters to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), a small federal agency responsible for investigation of allegations of prohibited personal practices committed by federal employees.

Regretfully, the OSC management, including the head of the Agency Mr. William Reukauf, do not see any wrongdoing when employees of other federal agencies (USDA) committed fiscal fraud for personal benefits for over $100K, or recklessly causing mutton from Scrapie infected sheep to enter human food chain of American Indians in New Mexico, or destruction of federal documents describing this malfeasance (EEOC, Denver and San Francisco District Office).

Disturbing is also fact that my two submissions to Henry Waxman, Chairman, and Tom Davis, Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, remains unanswered (attached are copies of both submissions). It should come as no surprise that my third letter on this subject dated February 14, 2009, addressed to Edolphus Towns, who replaced Henry Waxman, also remains unanswered.

The second issue is illegal destruction of part of USDA, EEO official complaint file pertinent to discrimination complaint registered by Mr. Carlos Jojola, one-race American Indian from Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico. Destruction of official complaint file documents was committed by the USDA Civil Rights Office employees in close cooperation with the EEOC Phoenix District Office management for sole purpose to falsely claim that in this particular EEO case “no discrimination occurred”.

The case was four and half years inactive (in accordance with federal policy it should be resolved in time limit of 180 calendar days), and then suddenly the Agency (USDA) issued its racist, bizarre decision claiming that “no discrimination occurred”, in contrary to factual evidence of the record.

Mr. Carlos Jojola was my coworker employed by the USDA in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am still serving as his EEO Representative in this discrimination case that is currently at the administrative EEOC level. The cause of action in this EEO complaint is racial discrimination, failure to provide reasonable accommodation for Mr. Jojola’s disabilities, and harassment by employees of the USDA Personal Operation Branch in Minneapolis, MN.

For your information, attached in .PDF file is an Appeal Form that I submitted to the EEOC in February 2009. Neither USDA nor EEOC contacted me in a good faith for early resolution of this case. Both issues are extreme examples how federal government treats American Indians despite its rhetoric about Equal Employment Opportunity and other baseless claims. I have available 100’s of pages of supporting documents fully confirming my allegations.

In my opinion, after quite frustrating experience with multiple governmental entities, I believe that only solution to this situation would be to contact newspapers and to let American public know this malfeasance.

Please contact any trusted journalist who is willing to report on this issue.

Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,

Miloslav Muller, DVM, MPVM
634 Eastlake Drive
Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124
505-892-9288

About the Attached:

In attachments please find four examples of Scrapie positive test results from the Colorado State Diagnostic Laboratory that is part of School of Veterinary Medicine. Hard copies are available upon request.

Also attached is an article describing the Innunohistochemistry test (IHC) that was used at the above mentioned laboratory for regular screening of those samples. As you can see, this test is practically 100 percent accurate. Basically, it is based on molecular markers, and if in particular sample is present infectious agent Prion, part of affected sample will turn purple. Basically, 4th grader can make diagnosis of positive or negative samples based on color change. It is very specific, as you can see from an article.

Do not be confused by statement on test results form that “these results have not been confirmed by National Veterinary Service Laboratory”.

These are standard operating procedures for USDA for any tests performed by a contract laboratories in the USA. In this particular case, this served as a political tool to “decide” what test will be classified as positive or negative, depending on their political agenda, in this case for covering fraud.

Since USDA knew that the collection of samples was fraudulent, and that the collector, USDA technician Mr. Braman, collected samples on monthly basis instead on daily basis as he was paid for, about ten days later, on April 27, 2006, USDA stated that all previously positive samples were “negative”. I will send you hard copies of that “decision” in mail. This was of course whitewash for purpose to cover up for illegal activities of multiple USDA officials.

Also, I am sending you one page of scanned slaughter dates for Hunts Meats in Waterflow, New Mexico. This is a plant that slaughtered those infected animals. Please see that the plant was not operating on January 20, 2006, but USDA technician claimed that on that day he collected samples (Test number 420, attached scanned copy) that had one positive sheep. I have multiple documents proving that this was ongoing issue of fraudulently submitted Scrapie samples. Basically, this plant was not inspected as required by USDA regulations, and it is massive multi-level fraud. The owner of the plant contacted USDA in Washington in writing, but they refused to investigate.

This issue should be presented to the press without any unclear areas, so USDA would not have any legitimate defense.

I also contacted Government Accountability Project in Washington DC, who partially worked on this issue three years ago, together with me and with the plant owners. I will hear from them soon if they would be willing to reopen this case. In th epast, they contacted USDA with request for those samples (for purpose to send them to England for confirmation of Scrapie), but USDA refused to communicate with them.

Milo Muller

-Article about IHC Test
-2nd Letter to OSC Bloch Oct 29 2009
-5th Letter to OSC Reukauf 6 2009
-Carlos Jojola EEOC Appeal Form Feb 2009
-Letter to Rep Henry Waxman Oct 2008
-Letter to RepTom Davis Oct 2008
-Scrapie Pos Test 405
-Scrapie Pos Test 409
-Scrapie Pos Test 419
-Scrapie Pos Test 420
-Slaughter Dates for January 2006

Click on title above for original article with links to supporting documents;
http://www.russellmeansfreedom.com/2009/scrapie-prion/

Ag Bill Passes - Cuts NAIS Funding for Now

FY2010 Ag Appropriations Bill Passes House Ag Committee

NAIS funding cut from the bill.
(6/22/2009)
Farm Futures Staff


Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee of Appropriations presented the FY 2010 Ag Appropriations Bill to the full committee last Thursday. The bill cleared the committee in less than 30 minutes. DeLauro followed up her remarks during subcommittee markup about the National Animal Identification system by eliminating all funding in the appropriations bill. She said that until USDA finishes their listening sessions on NAIS and comes up with a workable plan to put Animal ID in place she sees no reason for any more money going into the program.

"We've suggested to the farmers and ranchers that we've been talking to about this issue that there were some concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing system," Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said. "I think the action of the committee reinforces that notion."

Vilsack says it's not a closed matter that there is still a long way to go in the appropriations process and there are still several listening sessions remaining, from which Vilsack says he is getting lots of ideas.

"It would be my hope that we would be able to come up from the listening sessions a set of suggestions that might improve participation," Vilsack said.

E. COLI O157 - USA (06): BEEF, RECALL, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

**************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


[1]
Date: Wed 1 Jul 2009
Source: Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota), Associated Press
(AP) report [edited]



At least 12 people, 2 of them suffering kidney failure, have been
hospitalized in connection with a possible _Escherichia coli_ outbreak in
beef suspected of having sickened people in 9 states, federal health
officials said on Wednesday [1 Jul 2009]. The victims may have become ill
after eating beef produced by JBS Swift Beef Co. of Greeley, Colorado, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The number of people
reported ill so far is 23.

The company recalled about 380 000 pounds [about 172 tonnes] of beef on
Sunday [28 Jun 2009] after some illnesses were reported and a government
investigation showed a possible connection to the company's product. That
recall expanded a [24 Jun 2009] recall of just over 41 000 pounds (about 19
tonnes).

CDC said health officials in several states investigating the strain of _E.
coli_ found that most ill persons had consumed ground beef, and many
reported that it was undercooked. Ground beef with the strain of _E. coli_
was obtained from the home of one person infected. "At least some of the
illnesses appear to be associated with products subject to these recalls,"
CDC stated on its website.

The 1st reported illness began on [2 Apr 2009], according to CDC, and the
last on [13 Jun 2009]. Wisconsin and Michigan appear to be the hardest hit
by the outbreak so far, with 6 ill people in each state identified by CDC.
Other cases were reported in California, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York. CDC did not specify the states in
which people were hospitalized. The agency said that 2 of those who fell
ill suffered from hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure.
Kidney failure is found in the most severe cases of _E. coli_. In less
serious cases, the potentially deadly bacterium can cause bloody diarrhea
and dehydration.

The outbreak comes on the heels of a recall of Toll House refrigerated
cookie dough products and just before the 4th of July holiday, when many
Americans are preparing to grill hamburgers outdoors. Connecticut Rep. Rosa
DeLauro, a longtime critic of the food safety system, said this week she is
concerned it took too long for JBS Swift to recall the meat. The beef was
produced [21 Apr 2009], according to the company and the Agriculture
Department. "It is deeply troubling that it has been over 2 months since
this meat was produced and only now are we learning that thousands of
Americans have potentially been exposed to _E. coli_-tainted beef," said
DeLauro, who heads the House subcommittee in charge of Agriculture
Department spending. "I urge the USDA to aggressively and expeditiously
investigate."

The department's Food Safety and Inspection Service [FSIS] initially took a
sample of the beef on [21 May 2009] that tested positive for the strain,
according to the agency. Because that beef did not enter the food supply,
officials did not urge a recall. A follow-up investigation, including
information from the illnesses reported, prompted FSIS to go to the company
and request the recall, an agency spokesman said. "Until recently, there
was not adequate evidence suggesting a link between this source material
and illnesses," said FSIS spokesman Brian Mabry.

In a statement, JBS Swift said it sold the meat as whole muscle cuts and
may have been ground by retailers who purchased it. Raw ground beef is
considered the highest risk to consumers.

As part of the recall, The Kroger Co. said earlier this week that it is
recalling packages of meat with "sell by" dates of April 27 to June 1 in
the Cincinnati-Dayton region that includes northern Kentucky and
southeastern Indiana; and in western Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi,
Illinois and eastern Missouri. The company said the suspect beef was sold
under its store brands in more than a dozen states. Kroger-owned Food 4
Less stores in the Chicago area, Fry's stores in Arizona and Smith's stores
in Arizona, Utah, and other western states were also included in the
recall. Other grocery retailers are also affected, such as Scarborough,
Maine-based Hannaford Supermarkets, and Quincy, Massachusetts-based Stop &
Shop. Hannaford has urged customers in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
New York, and Vermont to check freezers for the recalled beef.

[byline: Mary Clare Jalonick]

--
communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


******
[2]
Date: Wed Jul 1 2009
Source: WISN.com [edited]



Six people in Wisconsin are sick from eating tainted meat. CDC's website
reported that Wisconsin and Michigan have been hit the hardest by the
latest _E. coli_ outbreak.

At least 23 people are sick nationwide. 12 people in 9 states have been
hospitalized. Officials said that 2 of them are suffering from kidney
failure. All are said to have eaten _E. coli_-tainted beef produced by the
JBS Swift Company out of Greeley, Colorado. The company recalled about 380
000 pounds of beef on Sunday [28 Jun 2009].

Locally, Roundy's grocery stores recalled all ground beef with a date of
[25 Apr through 30 May 2009]. The store said it does business with Swift
and want to be sure people aren't grilling the beef this weekend [4-5 Jul
2009].

Other states reporting illnesses include California, Maine, Minnesota, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York.

--
communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[Since the last ProMED-mail post on this outbreak (E. coli O157 - USA (03):
beef, recall 20090629.2354), the total number of patients has increased
from 18 to 23, 12 of whom have been hospitalized and 2 of whom have
developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The 1st news report above says
that illness for the 1st reported case began on 2 Apr 2009 and the last on
13 Jun 2009. However, it also states that the recalled beef incriminated in
the outbreak was produced on 21 Apr 2009, almost 3 weeks after the onset in
the 1st case, which implies, if correct, that other beef is involved in at
least some of the cases. Also information is missing on whether the DNA
fingerprints of the clinical isolates from the 23 cases are all the same
and whether they match the _E. coli_ strain isolated from the recalled beef.

The state of Colorado, where the JBS Swift company, the meat processor is
located, and other states so far involved in the current _E. coli_
beef-related outbreak can be seen on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive
map at . - Mod.ML]

[see also:
E. coli O157 - USA (05): refrigerated cookie dough, CDC 20090701.2381
E. coli O157 - USA (04): refrigerated cookie dough 20090630.2371
E. coli O157 - USA (03): beef, recall 20090629.2354
E. coli O157 - USA (02): refrigerated cookie dough 20090623.2291
E. coli O157 - USA: refrigerated cookie dough 20090619.2259
2008
---
E. coli O157 - USA (09): (WA), susp. 20081021.3336
E. coli O157 - USA (08): (CA), cooked beef 20081007.3181
E. coli O157, university students - USA (06): California lettuce 20081015.3266
E. coli O157, university students - USA: (MI) 20080922.2987
E. coli O157 - USA (07): (MA) alert 20080811.2475
E. coli O157 - USA: (OH, MI), unknown source 20080624.1947
E. coli O157, lettuce - USA: (WA) 20080606.1807
E. coli O157, restaurant - USA: (HI) 20080228.0811
2007
---
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate) (09) 20071126.3823
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate) (08): Canada 20071029.3511
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate) (04): 2nd manufacturer
20071007.3304
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate) (03): CDC report 20071003.3272
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate): alert, recall 20070927.3201
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (NY): alert, recall 20070926.3190
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (WA, OR): alert 20070830.2855
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (NY) 20070725.2387
E. coli VTEC, prisoners - USA (CO) (02) 20070714.2263
E. coli VTEC, prisoners - USA (CO): RFI 20070712.2236
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (west) (03): expanded recall 20070611.1902
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (west): recall 20070606.1831
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate): recall 20070514.1532
E. coli O157, steak - USA (PA): recall 20070426.1362
E. coli O157, restaurant - USA (CA) (03) 20070410.1204
E. coli O157, restaurant - USA (CA) 20070403.1131
E. coli O157, spinach - USA (multistate): 2006, FDA report 20070326.1051
E. coli O157, bagged salad greens - USA (multistate) 20070121.0288
E. coli O157, lettuce - USA (multistate): 2006 20070112.0158]

.................ml/mj/sh


*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Become a ProMED-mail Premium Subscriber at

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org
(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.
############################################################
############################################################