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1. Investigation of Chronic Wasting Disease shifting [MI]
By Steve Carmody
MichiganRadio.org
September 6, 2015
State wildlife officials are shifting their investigation into Chronic Wasting Disease in deer in mid-Michigan.
The Department of Natural Resources has examined the brains of roughly 600 deer since the first case of CWD was confirmed in Ingham County in May. In all, three have tested positive for the fatal neurological disease.
Chad Fedewa is with the DNR. He says until now, professional sharpshooters have been used to collect deer.
"Over the next couple of weeks, the USDA is going to stop the sharpshooting in that area," says Fedewa, "We are going to shift and rely on hunters to help collect those samples for us to monitor the disease."
State officials are urging hunters in the special CWD management zone to cooperate this fall and turn over their deer to the DNR for examination.
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2. In Washington, West Nile virus makes a comeback
By Don Jenkins, Capital Press
Daily Astorian
September 8, 2015
Washington state is seeing its worst summer for West Nile virus since 2009. The state veterinarian urges horse owners to vaccinate their animals.
Washington State Veterinarian Joe Baker, a horse owner and self-described "retired horse doctor," suspects one reason for this summer's high number of equine West Nile virus cases is complacency.
"I really, really wish people would think twice before skipping the vaccine," Baker said. "This is not a disease to be taken lightly."
West Nile virus cases are up this summer for both humans and horses. Baker said he suspects that the drought has forced virus-carrying mosquitoes to scout for water and that they are finding it near animals, including horses. "Being survivalists, mosquitoes will go to wherever the moisture is," he said.
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3. Owners warned to vaccinate after West Nile spreads to horses [NM]
By Sandra Ramirez
KOAT.com
September 8, 2015
VALENCIA COUNTY, N.M. -West Nile virus has spread to horses in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Department of Health confirmed that a horse in Valencia County was the first horse in the state to contract the illness this year.
West Nile virus can be prevented in horses with a vaccine.
A veterinarian in Valencia County said he has noticed fewer horse owners keeping up with their horses' vaccinations.
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4. Equine WNV Case Count in Texas Rises to 13
By Edited Press Release
TheHorse.com
September 8, 2015
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) reported Sept. 4 that it has confirmed additional West Nile virus (WNV) cases in horses in that state.
The number of equine WNV cases in Texas now totals 13.
As of Sept. 3, the TVMDL can confirm horses in the following counties have tested positive for WNV:
Houston County, Atascosa County, Jefferson County, Roberts County, Sterling County, Parker County, Randall County, Liberty County, Scurry County, Hutchinson County, Taylor County, Nolan County, Trinity County.
The majority of the affected horses were not previously vaccinated against WNV.
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5. Researchers Use Glow-In-The-Dark GMO Chicks to Study Avian Flu
By Silvia Fernandez
Pioneer News
September 8, 2015
If you happen to come across a pair of glow-in-the-dark chicks (that's 'baby chickens' and not slang for 'women') don't worry. They have not been covered in radioactive goo and are not going to mutate into crime fighters or monsters.
No, these neon baby birds glow in their beaks and feet because they are the prototypes for bird flu research. This pair has been injected with a fluorescent green protein which makes it easier for scientists to differentiate them from other birds involved with the study during specific tests regarding the bird flu.
"The public is obviously aware of these outbreaks when they're reported and wondering why there's not more done to control it," explains Laurence Tiley, who is a senior lecturer in molecular virology with the University of Cambridge.
Each bird has a genetically modified "decoy" gene which researchers can then track and monitor to see how susceptible each specimen may be to disease. When the neon bird comes in contact with the flu, the modified genes will trick the virus into copying the decoy and then inhibit the virus' ability to replicate.
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6. Peering into PEDv's crystal ball
By Angela Bowman, Associate Editor
PORK Network
September 8, 2015
It has been a long 30 months since Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) was first identified in U.S. hog herds. Now, as we head into prime PEDv-spreading weather, the question on everyone's mind is what the future holds for the disease.
Steve Meyer and Len Steiner in a recent Daily Livestock Report gave an optimistic, albeit cautionary, update. According to their report, many within the industry are asking whether PEDV breaks during the 2015-2016 winter will be as mild as last year or repeat the spikes seen in 2013-2014.
Though it may be too early to say for certain, Meyer and Steiner believe that while there will be fewer sows with high immunity levels this winter, producers and veterinarians are already on the attack. Unlike the winter of 2013-2014, the industry knows so much more about the disease, and operations continue to keep biosecurity at an all-time high.
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7. New Diagram to Address Antibiotics Confusion
TheCattleSite.com
September 7, 2015
GLOBAL - A team of livestock sustainability experts has devised a new diagram to explain how flagship health organisations classify "critically important" antimicrobials (CIAs).
The new Venn diagram has been released by food sustainability and animal health organisation Benchmark to clear up confusion over the classifications of the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US.
The different groups define some drugs differently, although, according to �istein Thorsen, a principal consultant at FAI Farms, a research and advice division of Benchmark, there is common ground to be found.
"Differences in the current categorisation of CIAs between the three different organisations can lead to confusion of what "critically important" exactly means," said �istein.
"The three organisations all rank fluoroquinolones, 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins and macrolides the same - classing them as highest priority."
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