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1. Beads Used in "Encouraging" New TB Test
The CattleSite.com
May 29, 2015
GLOBAL - US and UK animal health departments have been supplied with a new bovine tuberculosis test from New Zealand using bead technology, offering a cheaper, "more reliable" diagnosis for the costly disease.
According to AgResearch New Zealand, the US Department of Agriculture and the UK's Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs will test cattle for the disease with the new reagent.
Current tests used on New Zealand farms commonly yield false positive results, meaning expensive blood testing is used as a back up.
Field trials on over 30,000 cattle and 3,000 deer have suggested that this wasted time and moeny could be a thing of the past.
By putting specific M.bovis proteins on the surface of polyester beads, researchers at the Hopkirk Research Institute have discovered more accurate test that is also cheap to produce.
This "Biobead" can be used in a "very low concentration" and achieves stronger immune responses when using small particles, explains the Institute.
Professor Bryce Buddle, research leader, said there was potential for the test to produce "fewer false positives in non-infected animals" and also work for the human skin test for TB.
Full text:
http://www.thecattlesite.com/news/48018/beads-used-in-encouraging-new-tb-test/
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2. USDA Confirms More Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in Five Flocks in Minnesota and Iowa
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
May 29, 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 five additional flocks in Minnesota and Iowa. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time. CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low.
USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed HPAI H5N2 in the following counties and states:
Renville County, Minnesota (May 28, 2015)
48,900 turkeys
4th detection in this county
Kandiyohi County, Minnesota (May 28, 2015)
Turkeys (number pending)
34th detection in this county
A 35th premises of turkeys in this county has been depopulated because of exposure to this flock
Kandiyohi County, Minnesota (May 28, 2015)
50,800 turkeys
36th detection in this county
Kandiyohi County, Minnesota (May 28, 2015)
Turkeys (number pending)
37th detection in this county
Wright County, Iowa (May 28, 2015)
991,500 chickens
4th detection in this county
Full text:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/106d73f
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3. Gov. Branstad Extends Bird Flu Disaster Proclamation [IA]
By: WOWT 6 News
WOWT.com
May 29, 2015
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad announced Friday that he is extending the state of disaster emergency in response to the avian flu outbreak until July 1st. The governor's original disaster declaration was set to expire this Sunday.
As of Thursday, Iowa had 68 cases of the disease in the state. The disease is affecting birds in 18 counties. The counties affected at this time are: Buena Vista, Sac, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Kossuth, Clay, Pocahontas, Cherokee, Madison, Wright, Palo Alto, Lyon, Plymouth, Calhoun, Adair, Webster and Hamilton.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/nmw6twe
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4. Avian Influenza on Rise [SD]
By Rick Williams
KELO.com
May 31, 2015
Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) State Veternarian Dustin Oedekoven says another South Dakota farm has a presumptive positive test for the bird flu. He says the Moody County facility houses 50 thousand birds. So far, ten facilities in the state has been affected. In total, more than 1.7 million birds have been affected. Minnesota and Wisconsin have been hard hit with the virus, even activating state and federal response plans to deal with the outbreak.
Source: http://kelo.com/news/articles/2015/may/31/avian-influenza-on-rise/
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5. DHEC: Sheep gets rabies from skunk, exposes 4 people [SC]
WYFF4.com
May 29, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. -Four people have been told to see their doctors after they were exposed to a sheep that tested positive for rabies, the Department of Health and Environmental Control reported Friday.
A DHEC release said the sheep was potentially exposed to an aggressive skunk, which was not available for testing, about a month ago. The sheep tested positive for rabies on Wednesday.
Three of the four victims provided routine care for the sheep. The fourth victim was potentially exposed on Monday, May 27.
Full text:
http://www.wyff4.com/news/DHEC-Sheep-gets-rabies-from-skunk-exposes-4-people/33287322
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6. Mexico working hard to prevent new outbreaks of bird flu: official
Reuters
May 27, 2015
MEXICO CITY -- Mexico is working hard to prevent outbreaks of a bird flu epidemic that has stricken the U.S. poultry and egg industry in recent months, a senior Mexican agriculture ministry official said on Wednesday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was responding to comments on Tuesday by a world health official who said that Mexico was particularly vulnerable.
Bernard Vallat, director-general of the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), said there is a high risk that bird flu strains could spread within the American continent, mainly to Mexico. Vallat urged farmers and authorities to boost biosecurity measures.
The Mexican ministry official said that over the last two years, all Mexican poultry farms have been vaccinated, and the country's animal health agency continues to aggressively inspect all imported birds.
"We have not had any (new) incidents," the official said.
Full text:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/27/us-health-birdflu-mexico-idUSKBN0OC2T120150527
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7. McCrory Vetoes 'Ag-Gag' Bill [NC]
WFAE.org
May 29, 2015
A controversial bill which would allow business owners to sue employees who secretly record at the workplace has been vetoed by Governor Pat McCrory.
The measure is officially named the Property Protection Act. But its more widely known as the 'Ag-Gag' bill.
The measure was widely supported by Republican lawmakers in Raleigh who said these protections were needed for all businesses. Animal rights groups argued the bill specifically targeted their undercover activities at poultry, cattle and other farms. Those recordings have shown some cases of animal mistreatment and health violations in the past. Other opponents say the bill would deter whistleblowers, no matter the industry.
Today, Governor McCrory agreed. In a statement he said "I believe (the bill) does not adequately protect or give clear guidance to honest employees who uncover criminal activity."
Full text:
http://wfae.org/post/mccrory-vetoes-ag-gag-bill-says-more-vetoes-way
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