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1. USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota Commercial Turkey Flock

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin

April 6, 2015

WASHINGTON -- The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a molting breeder replacement turkey flock in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. This is the seventh confirmation in a commercial flock in Minnesota. The flock of 26,000 turkeys is located within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified. CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time.

Samples from the turkey flock, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings. APHIS is working closely with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the affected premises and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

Full text:

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/fd3c89  

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2. USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in 3rd Stearns County, Minnesota Commercial Turkey Flock

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin

April 6, 2015

WASHINGTON -- The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a third commercial turkey flock in Stearns County, Minnesota. This is the sixth confirmation in a commercial flock in Minnesota. The flock of 76,000 turkeys is located within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified. CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time.

This flock is in the control area for a previous detection.   As part of our response protocol, samples were tested by the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory as part of our standard surveillance work. The APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings. APHIS is working closely with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the premises and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

Full text:

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/fd3d39

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3. TAHC Releases All Quarantined Equine Herpes Virus Premises in Galveston County [TX]

Texas Animal Health Commission News Release

April 6, 2015

AUSTIN - Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials have released all premises quarantined for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) in Galveston County (upper Gulf Coast).

The first case of EHV-1 in Galveston county was confirmed on January 24 in a horse. Following the first diagnosis, two additional horses were confirmed positive for EHV-1 in Galveston county.

The TAHC reminds equine owners to keep their horses healthy by practicing simple and good biosecurity measures. Biosecurity is a set of preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of introduction and transmission of an infectious disease agent, such as EHV-1.

By following these simple guidelines you can minimize the risk.

   Consult your veterinarian to establish an appropriate vaccination program for your horse(s)

   Tie your horse(s) to your trailer. If using a stall, clean and disinfect it, if possible, before stalling your horse. Always use clean, fresh bedding.

   Minimize your horse(s) having direct contact with unknown horses, especially nose to nose contact.

   Use your own water and feed buckets. Avoid letting your horse(s) drink from a communal water trough. Fill water buckets from a faucet.

   Do not share grooming equipment or tack. If you must, then wash and disinfect it before returning to your own horse(s).

   Avoid petting and touching other horses in order to minimize the risk of transferring a disease back to your horse. If you must handle other horses then wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

   Avoid letting strangers pet your horse especially if they have horses of their own.

   Before returning home from an event clean up your equipment (boots, tack, grooming supplies, buckets, etc.) to help reduce the risk of transporting an infectious agent back home. Consider washing and disinfecting your trailer when you return home.

   If possible, isolate your returning horses for 2 weeks or at least prevent nose to nose contact with your other horses.

Don't forget to consult your veterinarian concerning these and other steps you can follow, which may reduce the risk of your horse acquiring an infectious disease while traveling.

Source: http://www.tahc.state.tx.us  

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4. Poultry movement order lifted in Leavenworth and Wyandotte Counties [KS]

MidwestProducer.com

April 6, 2015

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Kansas Department of Agriculture has completed surveillance and testing in Leavenworth and Wyandotte Counties and lifted movement restrictions for the quarantined area. Movement of live poultry and poultry products, including eggs, can resume as normal.

KDA officials surveyed and tested every poultry premise within the infected zone, multiple premises in the buffer zone and responded to seven sick bird calls. All test results were found to be negative.

"We appreciate the citizens that self-reported their flocks. It has allowed us to effectively identify the number of flocks in the area and ensure we stamped out this virus," said Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas deputy animal health commissioner. "We could not have responded as quickly as we did without the great support of both county emergency management coordinators as well as the fantastic facilities provided by the Fairmount Township Fire Station."

Full text: http://tinyurl.com/kdpmj83  

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5. Kansas State creates center for vector-borne diseases

Feedstuffs

April 6, 2015

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University is establishing a new center of excellence that will focus on helping to control infectious diseases in both people and animals.

On April 8, the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases (CEVBD) will be publicly launched under the guidance of Roman Ganta, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology. CEVBD is an interdisciplinary research center with a mission to combat vector-borne diseases with a focus on pathogenesis, surveillance and disease prevention.

"CEVBD will prepare us well to build a nationally and internationally recognized program to combat the emerging threats of vector-borne diseases in the U.S., including bacterial, parasitic and viral diseases," Ganta said. "The center also will strive to synergize with the soon-to-be-established federal facility in Manhattan (Kan.), the National Bio & Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF)."

CEVBD goals include establishing a tick-rearing facility to support the research needs of Kansas State University and other academic institutions and industry in the U.S.

Full text:

http://feedstuffs.com/story-kansas-state-creates-center-vector-borne-diseases-45-126074  

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6. Purdue webinar to provide latest PEDV information [edited]

Source: Purdue University

National Hog Farmer

April 6, 2015

Improved measures for prevention and treatment have helped slow the spread of porcine epidemic diarrhea, but the virus remains a significant threat, a Purdue University swine specialist said.

Allan Schinckel, professor of animal sciences, said any hog exposed to PEDv could trigger another outbreak.

"It is critical that producers and veterinary care practitioners remain vigilant," Schinckel said. "Still, we are in better shape than last year."

PEDV causes intestinal disease in swine of all ages but has an especially high mortality rate among pre-weaned piglets. In 2014, PEDv was blamed for the deaths of millions of baby pigs, reducing hog production by about 7 percent and driving up pork prices.

Fewer deaths have been reported in 2015, due in part to increased biosecurity including the increased use of disinfectants in trailers, pens and other places where hogs are transported and regrouped, Schinckel said.

In addition, new vaccines have been licensed for use.

"That has been especially important for the long term because vaccines can reduce the severity of the disease if the disease has a second wave in the next two years," Schinckel said.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Room 3-113 of Lilly Hall. To access the live webinar, go to http://tinyurl.com/SWINEKnowledge.        

Full text:

http://nationalhogfarmer.com/animal-well-being/purdue-webinar-provide-latest-pedv-information  

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7. Bat species common to Pennsylvania threatened by disease [PA]

The Associated Press

TheState.com

April 6, 2015

PITTSBURGH -- One of the most common bat species in Pennsylvania is being threatened by white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed millions of bats of that species and others in North America.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the northern long-eared bat as a "threatened" species, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (http://bit.ly/1Cb0Nh3 ) reported Monday.

The agency was considering listing the species as "endangered" - a more serious designation - but decided on "threatened" because the bat's population has not been affected outside areas where the fungal disease has caused problems, the newspaper reported.

The agency is proposing interim rules meant to safeguard the bat's habitat, including limits on forest timbering. But the rules could also impact the wind energy and natural gas and oil drilling industries.

Full text:

http://www.thestate.com/living/health-fitness/article17493521.html  

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