Click on text below to see the vid

Test EVERY Cow in the Food Chain

Test EVERY Cow in the Food Chain
Like Other Countries Do

Saturday, April 30, 2011

BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS, BOVINE - UK (02): ENGLAND

Open the link to see a report that confirms that Bovine TB is a potential bioweapon and see chart on pg. 242 that says the disease ORIGINATED from domestic cattle. This is important because the public land ranchers in the U.S. are blaming WILDLIFE for the outbreaks in their cattle, and are using  it for an excuse to exterminate our wild bison herds; http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/disease_emergence/Chapter6.pdf
(Google "Buffalo Field Campaign")
**********************************************

A ProMED-mail post



ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases





Date: Wed 27 Apr 2011

Source: Farmers Weekly Interactive [edited]







Officials mystified by Cumbria TB case

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

Cumbria is facing its 1st large-scale outbreak of bovine tuberculosis

(TB) on a dairy farm near Penrith where 64 animals have been

slaughtered. The outbreak has already triggered calls for a

county-wide TB test of all dairy cows to be considered.



The herd, which is in a 4-year testing programme, had been tested

"clear" 18 months ago, according to the Animal Health and Veterinary

Laboratories Agency. But as post-mortem examinations were being

carried out on the slaughtered cattle this week, vets expressed

concern over the length of time the disease may have been present on

the farm.



Veterinary investigations will concentrate on the source of the

outbreak which has occurred on a farm running a "closed" herd and

where there are reported to have been no movements of cattle on or off

the holding and no indication that wildlife in the area has become

infected.



Cumbria has been virtually free of bovine TB apart from a "pocket" of

problems in a small area in the south-west corner of the county --

more than 50 miles from the current outbreak.



DEFRA vets said it would be 3 weeks before the full test results on

the slaughtered cattle were available. Contiguous testing of cattle on

neighbouring farms was already under way.



"The herd has been placed under movement restrictions, and a number

of animals have been removed for slaughter after reacting to the skin

test. Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency staff are

working to determine the source of the infection and TB testing of

neighbouring holdings is under way," said the official DEFRA

statement.



Leading dairy cattle auctioneer Edward Brown of Harrison and

Hetherington, said the outbreak was "deeply worrying" for Cumbria's

dairy farmers. "Few cattle come into the county and when dairy farmers

do buy cattle they are extremely cautious about where they come

from."



Cumbria milk producer Russell Bowman, chairman of the North West

dairy board, said it was important that vets located the source of the

outbreak as quickly as possible. "We're told it's a closed herd so

that makes the situation even more worrying. We certainly don't want

to discover that we've got TB in our wildlife here in Cumbria. At this

stage we must hope animal health staff can contain the outbreak and

can discover how the farm became infected," said Mr Bowman of

Armathwaite, near Carlisle.



[Byline: Jeremy Hunt]



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail





[According to a later (28 Apr 2011] BBC news bulletin, the disease

was found on a farm near Penrith, which has not been identified.



The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) said it

did not know the source but the results of tests should be known next

week.



It said bovine TB was relatively rare in Cumbria and it was working

to ensure that remained the case. - Mod.AS



The interactive HealthMap/ProMED map for Cumbria is available at:

- CopyEd.EJP]



[see also:

Bovine tuberculosis - UK: (Wales) badger control 20110328.0969

2010

----

Bovine tuberculosis - UK (04): new control program 20100921.3396

2002

----

Tuberculosis, cattle - UK 20020221.3599

2001

----

Foot & mouth disease - UK (25) 20010318.0548]

.................................................sb/arn/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.

************************************************************

Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available 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

name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-

scribe at .

For assistance from a human being, send mail to:

.

############################################################

############################################################

Monday, April 18, 2011

Mad Cow Disease Traced to Saudi Arabia

April 15th, 2011 by Rasheed

April 2011: Canadian health officials have confirmed the country’s second-ever case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the rare human form of the so-called “mad cow disease” usually caused by eating infected beef. The head of the federal agency that monitors the disease states the man, now an Ontario resident, is believed to have been infected in Saudi Arabia.

Information released by Health Canada in both Arabic and English states the man began experiencing symptoms just prior to immigrating to Canada from Saudi Arabia in 2010.

Outbreaks of the human form of the disease also led to changes in blood donor regulations in a number of countries. The discovery of a new case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob last month prompted an almost immediate change in Canada’s blood donation policies, which now restrict anyone who was in Saudi Arabia for six months or longer in the period from 1980 to1996 from giving blood. The restriction previously related only to the United Kingdom, France and Western Europe.

The disease first emerged in humans in the mid-1990s and peaked in 2000 in the U.K, where it has been the most prevalent. According to the World Health Organization, the human form of mad cow disease is an aggressive condition that begins with psychiatric symptoms and dementia, and progresses quickly to complete lack of physical control, leaving the person unable to move or speak. The WHO states the disease leaves “daisy-like” holes in the brain.

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE. It is most commonly caused by eating meat from BSE-infected cows, though there have also been documented transmissions through blood transfusions and the potential for infection through medical and dental tools.

Dr. Michael Coulthart, director of the Canadian Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease surveillance system at the national microbiology lab in Winnipeg, Canada stated, “It’s one of those cases where long-term vigilance is going to be required to definitively deal with the issue. Every case is potentially significant, and you don’t want to miss any. Any individual case can have large implications, potentially, and you want to know as much as you can about the origins of each case that does occur, whenever it occurs. So, that’s one reason to stay vigilant.”

Because of the disease’s long incubation period, Coulthart states there are also concerns about the “carrier effect,” where people could have the disease for years, even decades without knowing ­it, then pass it on through blood transfusions or medical or dental tools. In that scenario, he states there could be a resurgence in the human form of the disease in the future, particularly given that the prion agent of the disease is extremely resistant to normal methods of decontamination and disinfection.

One pathologist who studied the disease in the 1990s described it at the time as being “like something out of the X-Files, the indestructible thing from outer space.” Despite a relatively small number of human deaths, the emergence of mad cow disease in animals and humans in the 1980s and 1990s had a huge impact around the world, prompting the large scale culling of animal herds, leading to massive changes in animal feeding guidelines, and devastating cattle operations and trade globally.

=============================

Monday, April 11, 2011

Un-Known Disease Plaguing Equines in Europe

ATYPICAL MYOPATHY, EQUINE - EUROPE: POSSIBLE CAUSE **************************************************
A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: 8 Apr 2011 Source: Horsetalk.co.nz [edited]

Researchers in Switzerland have their eye on clostridial toxins as the possible cause of equine atypical myopathy (EAM), a seasonal, pasture-associated muscle disorder. The disorder presents a particular challenge to European veterinarians. It is characterised by a generalised complete degeneration of muscle fibres, which leads to sudden death due to collapse of the cardio-respiratory system in over 90 per cent of the cases. Writing in the latest Gluck Equine Disease Quarterly, Dr Lucia Unger and Professor Vinzenz Gerber, from the Equine Clinic at the University of Berne, said the economic impact is often devastating. Affected horses can either die quickly or show profuse sweating, muscle twitching, weakness, abnormal urine colour, reluctance to move, recumbency and difficulty in breathing. Death can follow after 12 to 72 hours. Since the cause is unknown, no effective protective treatment exists, and affected horses can only be treated for their clinical signs. Large outbreaks have been reported since the 1980s in parts of Europe including the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Denmark. In 2010, 224 new cases were reported to the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group, managed by Dominique Votion at the University of Liege in Belgium. A very similar if not the same disease has also been observed in the United States and is called seasonal pasture myopathy. From 1998 to 2005, 14 cases were described in Minnesota. White snakeroot toxicosis (_Ageratina_ spp., formerly _Eupatorium_ spp., a perennial herb) was ruled out as a potential cause, since its toxin (tremetone) was not found in liver or urine samples of affected horses. Seasonal pasture myopathy is thought to be caused by the same agent as the European equivalent. Environmental factors such as regular access to pasture and certain weather conditions seem to influence the incidence of the disease, which occurs seasonally, mostly in autumn with lesser peaks in springtime and sporadic cases in winter. Young horses kept full time at pasture without any food complementation are most frequently affected, highlighting the importance of contact with grass. Further risk factors are adjacent streams and trees, dead leaves and branches in the pastures, and wet, windy, unpleasantly chilly weather conditions (but not severe frost). Removing manure from pastures, providing clean drinking water and salt blocks, and bringing horses in from pasture during rough weather are advised. Causes that have been discussed and investigated include ionophores, mycotoxins and phytotoxins. Recently, the development of the disease was associated with ingesting maple leaves (_Acer pseudoplantanus_) covered with European tar spot (_Rhytisma acerinum_). Stress and metabolic imbalances within horses may be factors that predispose horses to developing the disease, the authors noted. Over the last decades, the incidence of the disease, however variable from year to year, has increased, and demand is growing for the cause to be identified and effective treatments developed and preventive measures identified. Identification of the causative agent is of paramount importance, Unger and Gerber said. "Consequently, our current research at the Equine Clinic and the Institute of Bacteriology of the Vetsuisse-Faculty of the University of Berne is focused on clostridial toxins, specifically the lethal toxin of _Clostridium sordellii_," they wrote. "This large clostridial cytoxin is able to induce severe muscular damage when injected intramuscularly into mice. Initially, we detected _Clostridium sordellii_ DNA in faeces and intestinal contents of horses suffering from EAM but not in corresponding samples from healthy pasture mates. However, this finding was not reliably reproducible." Subsequently, they found damage in muscle samples of affected horses, using light and electron transmission microscopy, to be very similar to _Clostridium sordellii_ lethal toxin-induced structural damage in the cytoskeleton of different cell lines. "Most importantly, we were recently able to show that the lethal toxin of _Clostridium sordellii_ is present in skeletal muscles of horses with EAM. Myofibers of affected horses reacted not only with an antibody specific for the lethal toxin, which failed to bind to the myofibers of either healthy horses or those with other myopathies, but also [sic] with sera from other EAM-affected horses." Previously, _C. sordellii_-derived lethal toxin has been shown to cause gas gangrene syndrome in cattle and sheep and toxic shock syndrome in humans. Its presence in the myofibers of horses suffering from EAM suggests it may play a role as a trigger or even as the lethal factor in the cause of this disease. Anecdotal evidence and the pair's most recent body-fluid data suggest that naturally EAM-affected horses neither mount a protective immune response nor show a substantial increase in anti-lethal toxin antibodies, respectively. "Our findings may nonetheless suggest a rational approach for the development of a protective vaccine," they said. -- Communicated by: ProMED-mail [While this research indeed appears promising, let us hope the outcome is reproducible. Such results may well lead to research that could produce a cure or prevention. - Mod.TG] [Photos of an affected horse may be seen in the source link. Photo of maple leaves (_Acer pseudoplantanus_) covered with European tar spot (_Rhytisma acerinum_): - Mod.JW] [see also: 2010 ---- Atypical myopathy, equine - UK: (Cornwall) 20101106.4026 Atypical myopathy, equine - EU 20100509.1518 2009 ---- Atypical myopathy, equine - UK: (England) 20091121.4007] .................................................sb/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. ************************************************************ Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available 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 name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub- scribe at . For assistance from a human being, send mail to: . ############################################################ ############################################################

Saturday, April 9, 2011

NITRITE, MILK, FATALITIES - CHINA: (GANSU)

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

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


Date: Fri 8 Apr 2011
Source: The Guardian, Reuters report [edited]



Milk poisoning kills children in China
--------------------------------------
Xinhua news agency has reported in the latest food safety scandal to
hit the [Chinese] dairy industry, that 3 children have died & 35
people have become ill from drinking nitrite-tainted milk in China's
north-western Gansu province.

Most of the 35 were children under 14, now being treated at 2
hospitals in Pingliang city, Xinhua said, citing the local government
and health bureau.

"An initial investigation shows all the patients were poisoned by
nitrite after drinking bulk milk provided by 2 local dairy farms,"
Xinhua said.

Nitrite is used for curing meat.

The 2 farms were sealed off and their managers were being
investigated, Xinhua said.

China's food sector has been beset by poisonings and toxin scandals
that have shaken consumer confidence, and dairy production has been at
the heart of those worries.

China's quality inspection agency last week [week of 28 Mar 2011]
ordered nearly half the country's dairy firms to halt production as
part of a campaign to clean up the industry.

In 2008, at least 6 children died and nearly 300 000 fell ill from
powdered milk laced with melamine, an industrial chemical added to
low-quality or diluted milk to fool inspectors by giving misleadingly
high readings for protein levels.

Earlier this year [2011], Chinese quality authorities sought to calm
renewed public alarm after reports that some manufacturers had
illegally added a leather protein powder to dairy products to cheat
protein-content checks.

Zhao Lianhai, who organised a website for parents of children who
became ill from tainted milk after his own son became sick, was jailed
for 2.5 years last November [2010] after being convicted of "inciting
social disorder."

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[Sodium nitrite has on a number of occasions been mistaken for table
salt. However, to have it in milk is difficult for me to understand.
While it has been used in the meat industry, its use or purpose in the
milk industry sounds like adulteration of the product.

Clinical signs of ingestion may include gastroenteritis, abdominal
pains, dizziness, bloody diarrhea, convulsions and collapse. Purging
(vomiting) and diuresis are expected. If the victim receives small,
repeated doses there may be headache and mental impairment. Generally
in the case of mistaking sodium nitrite for sodium chloride, the dose
may be larger for large meals typical of celebrations.

Sodium nitrite has been used in curing meat for centuries. Nitrite is
added to certain foods to prevent the growth of the spore-forming
bacterium _Clostridium botulinum_, whose toxin causes botulism,
leading to paralysis and, potentially, death. The word botulinum comes
from the Latin word 'botulus', meaning sausage, which was responsible
for many deaths centuries ago before curing with nitrite was used. In
addition to serving as an antimicrobial, nitrite is used to produce
the characteristic flavor, texture, and pink color of cured meats.

At significant blood levels, the nitrite's oxidation of the iron in
hemoglobin from the ferrous to the ferric state yields methemoglobin,
which does not carry oxygen and imparts a brown hue to the blood.
Symptoms of methemoglobinemia include headaches, fatigue, tachycardia
(fast heart rate), weakness, and dizziness. As oxygenation of tissues
decreases to the point of becoming truly inadequate, dyspnea
(shortness of breath), acidosis, arrhythmias (irregular heart
rhythms), coma, convulsions and even death may occur. - Mod.TG]

[Maps of China can be seen at
and . - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
2010
----
Food poisoning - Russia (PE): sodium nitrite 20100910.3261
Melamine contamination, milk products - China (07) 20101126.4266
2008
----
Toxic ingestion, sodium nitrite - China (Guangdong) 20080225.0754
Infant kidney stones - China (02): Gansu, milk, melamine
20080912.2856
2006
----
Toxic ingestion, sodium nitrite - China (Hainan) 20060220.0552
2003
----
Food poisoning, milk, children - China (Liaoning) (02) 20030420.0966

2002
----
Toxic ingestion, sodium nitrite - USA (New York) (02) 20020523.4301]
.................................................sb/tg/mj/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.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available 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
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
############################################################
############################################################

Saturday, April 2, 2011

EQUINE HERPESVIRUS, EQUINE – USA: (NEW YORK) CORNELL UNIVERSITY

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

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


Date: 1 Apr 2011
Source: Cornell University [edited]



Equine Hospital: Current Operating Status and FAQs
--------------------------------------------------
Current Operating Status
------------------------
We are currently accepting only emergency cases and those that would
be placed in our isolation facility. In cooperation with the State
Veterinarian, the Cornell University Hospital for Animals' equine
barns are under voluntary quarantine status, with restricted access
and biosecurity protocols in place. This is in response to a confirmed
case of equine herpes virus, a virus that routinely circulates in the
general horse population. Movement of animals between the equine barns
and other Cornell facilities is not permitted.

The diagnosis of equine herpes virus does not impact the Companion
Animal or Farm Animal Hospital. These hospitals remain open and
operating under normal conditions, as equine herpes virus does not
affect dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, or birds. Alpacas and
llamas might be affected and therefore we are also restricting
admission of those species. As equine herpes virus is not a zoonotic
agent, people are not at risk for contracting the virus.

We believe there is a low risk of exposure, but we are taking every
precaution. We hope the following information will be helpful to horse
owners and to veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for horse owners
--------------------------------------------------
Q. Why has the equine hospital placed itself under quarantine?
A. The voluntary quarantine is in response to a confirmed case of
equine herpes virus. We believe there is a low risk of exposure, but
out of an abundance of caution, the Equine Hospital barns are under
quarantine status.

Q. Have the Farm Animal Hospital or Companion Animal Hospital been
affected?
A. No. They are operating at normal status. The equine herpes virus
does not affect dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs, birds.
Alpacas and llamas might be affected and therefore we are also
restricting admission of those species.

Q. My horse has been at Cornell. How will I know if I need to worry?

A. Horses that were discharged from the Cornell Equine Hospital prior
to 18 Mar 2011 were not exposed to known cases in our hospital. We are
presently contacting horse owners whose horses could possibly have
been exposed to known equine herpes virus. We have contacted all
referring veterinarians who referred horses to our facility during
this time period. This virus also routinely circulates in the general
horse population.

Q. Is there an outbreak?
A. No, it is not an outbreak.

Q. Where can I get more information about equine herpes virus?
A.


FAQs for for veterinarians
--------------------------
Q. Should I isolate a horse that has been at Cornell?
A. It is always recommended that horses returning from veterinary
hospitals be isolated when possible. If horses can be isolated and
have not yet been, isolation is recommended.

Q. How often should I temp?
A. Twice a day for 10 days; remember to keep good records.

Q. Should I vaccinate the horses?
A. If there is a high risk, you should not vaccinate, but should
monitor temperatures. With temperatures of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or
greater, PCR of the nasal passages area could be done.

Q. If I want to culture them, how should I do that?
A. Culturing for viruses is a good means for diagnosis, but PCR is
much quicker and sensitive in this case. PCR done on a nasal swab
would be the recommended test.

Q. What is the best test?
A. PCR done on a nasal swab is the recommended test.

Q. What is the best sample?
A. Nasal swab provides better results for determining shedding of the
virus. EDTA blood is also a good source for PCR and viral isolation,
but the optimum sample is always nasal swabs.

Q. How should I take a nasal sample for PCR?
A. A synthetic-tipped swab is preferred, but cotton is acceptable.
This can be just a routine length culturette; it does not have to be a
nasal pharyngeal swab using a broodmare endometrial culturette. It
should be used to swab the nasal passages of the horse. The sample
should be placed in viral transport media if available. If not, place
swab into a plain red-top blood tube with one to two drops of sterile
saline. Do not put large amounts of saline into tube. Ship overnight
on an ice pack to a diagnostic laboratory. Cornell performs the PCR
for equine herpes virus. Visit

Q. Where do I get information about equine herpes virus?
A. Please refer to the American Association of Equine Practitioners
(includes biosafety guidelines):

In addition, you can find information here:


--
Communicated by:
Karyn L. Bischoff


[The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine serves as a
referral hospital as well as teaching hospital. Realizing that horses
referred to the teaching hospital may require surgery or other
intensive treatments, the hospital is being extremely cautious
regarding unlikely but possible exposure to equine herpes virus.

More information on equine herpesvirus can be found in ProMED-mail
post 20091212.4227. Readers are encouraged to read it. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
2010
----
Equine herpesvirus - USA (04): (NY) 20101129.4286
Equine herpesvirus - USA (03): (NJ) 20100408.1131
Equine herpesvirus - USA (02): (NJ) susp. 20100403.1071
Equine herpesvirus - USA: (LA) 20100101.0016
2009
----
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA: (SC) susp. 20091212.4227
Equine herpesvirus - USA (03): (FL) 20091203.4126
Equine herpesvirus - USA (02): (PA) 20090729.2663
Equine herpesvirus - USA: (OK) 20090206.0546
2008
----
Equine herpesvirus - USA (04): (KY) 20081120.3669
Equine herpesvirus - USA (03): (MD) 20081115.3614
Equine herpesvirus - USA (02): (KY) 20080410.1320
Equine herpesvirus - USA: (MD) susp. 20080124.0304]
.................................................tg/ejp/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.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available 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
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
############################################################

Friday, April 1, 2011

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, CERVID - USA (08): (KANSAS)

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

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


Date: Thu 31 Mar 2011
Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) [edited]



On 2 Mar 2011, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
announced that 10 deer from northwestern Kansas had tested positive
for chronic wasting disease [CWD], the same number as last year [2010]
although 2 of those deer were found in counties farther east than any
previous confirmations. These were animals taken by hunters in the
2010 hunting seasons.

6 confirmed cases of CWD deer were taken by hunters in Decatur County
and one each from Graham, Norton, Sherman, and Smith counties. The
Norton, Sherman, and Smith cases were firsts for those counties. The
cases included 9 white-tailed and one mule deer. This season's [2010]
testing results brings the total number of confirmed CWD cases in
Kansas to 40 since testing began in 1996. In total, 2503 animals were
tested for CWD for the 2010 deer seasons. Although most testing is
finished for the year, KDWP will continue testing some vehicle-killed
and sick or suspect-looking deer, as well as deer taken with
depredation permits, through 31 Jul [2011]. If US Department of
Agriculture funding is available, a new surveillance period will begin
[1 Aug 2011].

Annual testing is part of ongoing effort by KDWP to monitor the
prevalence and spread of CWD. The fatal disease was first detected in
a wild deer taken in Cheyenne County in 2005. 3 infected deer were
taken in Decatur County in 2007 and 10 tested positive in 2008, all in
northwest Kansas.

CWD is a member of the group of diseases called transmissible
spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Other diseases in this group
include scrapie in sheep and goats, bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE or mad cow disease) in cattle, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in
people. CWD is a progressive, fatal disease that results in small
holes developing in the brain, giving it a sponge-like appearance
under the microscope. An animal may carry the disease without outward
indication (only 2 of the 40 positive animals showed signs) but in the
later stages, signs may include behavioral changes such as decreased
interactions with other animals, listlessness, lowering of the head,
weight loss, repetitive walking in set patterns, and a lack of
response to humans. Anyone who discovers a sick or suspect deer should
contact the nearest KDWP office.

"It must be noted that many signs of CWD are indicative of other
diseases," says KDWP wildlife disease coordinator Shane Hesting.
"Thus, a sick deer may or may not be infected with CWD. CWD is a
serious deer disease but is still a rare disease in Kansas. There is
no vaccine or other biological method that prevents the spread of CWD.
However, there is no evidence that CWD poses a risk to humans or
livestock in the natural environment."

Still, precautions should be taken. Hunters are advised not to eat
meat from animals known to be infected, and common sense precautions
are advised when field dressing and processing meat from animals taken
in areas where CWD is found. More information on CWD can be found on
KDWP's website at or at the Chronic
Wasting Disease Alliance website at .

--
Communicated by:
Terry S Singeltary Sr


[The finding of infected 2 deer in counties further east represents a
slight expansion of the disease. While the actual number of positive
deer remains the same as the previous level, it may provide insight to
know how many years it has remained at this level without an expansion
of territory. - Mod.TG]

[The state of Kansas can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail
interactive map at . A Kansas county map
can be seen at
. -
Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (02): (KS) 20110107.0084
2010
----
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (07): (KS) 20100313.0814
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (06a): (KS) 20100312.0801
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (05): (KS) 20100311.0790
Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (04): (KS) 20100306.0741
2008
----
Chronic wasting disease, cervids - USA: (KS) 20080119.0247
2006
----
Chronic wasting disease, cervids - USA (KS) 20060124.0237]
.................................................tg/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.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available 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
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
############################################################
############################################################