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1. Scotts Bluff County horse diagnosed with vesicular stomatitis [NE - edited]
Scotts Bluff Star Herald
September 11, 2015
VESLINCOLN - A case of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) has been confirmed in a horse in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes said today the horse and other livestock on the farm have been placed under quarantine.
Hughes is urging producers with animals that might be experiencing these symptoms to contact their veterinarian immediately.
"Vesicular Stomatitis is typically transmitted in two primary ways, biting insects and midges, and nose-to-nose contact between a non-infected and infected animal," said Hughes. "The best ways to reduce the chance of VS infection is to reduce the population of flies, mosquitoes and other biting insects as much as possible, and to isolate infected animals from uninfected animals."
In recent months there have been several reported cases of VS confirmed in areas of Wyoming, Colorado and South Dakota that border the Nebraska Panhandle. Nebraska's last confirmed cases of VS were last November in two cows in Wheeler County. Nebraska's last major outbreak of the disease was in 2005.
According to Hughes, the positive diagnosis might trigger animal import regulations in other states. Producers moving livestock from Nebraska into another state are encouraged to contact the state veterinarian's office in the state of destination to learn about specific import requirements.
Hughes said that due to the VS finding, he and officials for the AKSARBEN Stock Show and Rodeo, scheduled for Sept. 24-27, in Omaha, have agreed to put in place new requirements for horse and cattle exhibitors. Horses arriving at the show from anywhere within Nebraska will need to have seen a veterinarian within 48 hours. The 48-hour rule also will apply to any cattle coming to the show from the Nebraska Panhandle counties. These counties include Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan and Sioux.
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2. Indiana Lifts Statewide Ban on Poultry Shows
Farmer's Exchange
September 11, 2015
Indiana poultry can resume regular movements to shows and sales beginning Sept. 17. Beginning on that date, poultry movements that include a change in ownership must be documented to allow easier disease traces.
Movement of poultry that allowed birds from different locations to commingle was banned earlier this year to protect Indiana's poultry from potential spread of the H5 avian influenza virus. That meant many county fairs offered alternative activities to poultry shows.
"We appreciate the cooperation from bird owners and exhibitors during the past few months," said Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana state veterinarian. "The sacrifices made during this unprecedented disease event have not gone unnoticed. The Board of Animal Health continues to be committed to protecting the health of the birds in the state."
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3. Kentucky Reports Four EIA Positive Horses in Marshall County
By Edited Press Release
TheHorse.com
September 11, 2015
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) is reporting today that during the past two weeks, four horses in Western Kentucky's Marshall County have tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). These are the first Kentucky horses found positive for the viral disease since 2007.
A private veterinarian tested and found the initial horse positive, with the remaining three (3) cases discovered through testing conducted as part of a KDA investigation. Each of the horses were confirmed positive by additional testing and have since been humanely destroyed and buried. Seven additional "cohorts" tested negative on the initial testing. These seven remain under quarantine and will be sampled periodically during the next 60 days.
Though authorities are unable to definitively determine the route of transmission, they have not ruled out iatrogenic (inadvertent veterinary) transmission. The fact that one group of seven horses were commingled in a confined location the past 10 months with no evidence of transmission minimizes chance of natural transmission having occurred.
The horses testing positive are described as pleasure riding horses that have resided on one of two farms for several years and range in age from 6 to 21 years. When the KDA evaluated the positive horses, they found them to be asymptomatic (not showing clinical signs) and in good body condition. The older horses were all reported to have been purchased through livestock markets, and as such would have been tested negative at the time of purchase. These pleasure horses have not regularly participated in events that would require they be routinely tested and are defined as representing the "untested population."
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4. High Path Avian Influenza efforts continue in Pa.
By Lenay Ruhl
Lehigh Valley Business
September 11, 2015
Efforts continue in protecting Pennsylvania's $13 billion poultry industry as the High Path Avian Influenza, or HPAI, continues to threaten the state, with the virus already detected in 21 other states.
Though the virus has spread primarily through birds migrating from the Pacific to the Central and Mississippi flyways, the concern is that infected birds will migrate south this fall and enter the Atlantic flyway, which would intersect with the Mississippi flyway over Pennsylvania.
This week a town hall discussion in Lancaster was led by state and federal representatives from the Department of Agriculture, as well as legislature and PennAg Industries. A clear message was delivered to poultry producers: Have a plan and make sure biosecurity measures are already in place.
A work plan to assist procedures was developed, to help in completing the USDA flock plan. This will collect information such as the producer's preferred methods of depopulation as well as a listing of available resources. The flock plan then acts as an agreement between the state, USDA and the flock owner if HPAI is confirmed. Plans should be completed and submitted to the department, and no pre-approval process exists for the flock plan.
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5. Veterinary feed directive and antibiotic use changes: Rapid City Farm Foundation forum discussion
By Russ Daly, SDSU iGrow
Drover's CattleNetwork.com
September 10, 2015
Since the end of 2013, educational efforts have been underway to help livestock producers and veterinarians understand impending changes in the use of feed-grade antibiotics in food animals. The FDA has started down the path of these changes already. One of the more significant changes will be the movement of "medically important" antibiotics to Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) status. These drugs will continue to be available for treatment, control, and prevention purposes but will require increased veterinary oversight. This will come in the form of a VFD document obtained through a veterinarian prior to the purchase of such medications. Livestock producers have been encouraged to examine their current feed-grade antibiotic uses and discuss with their veterinarian how these new regulations will affect their operations.
Many different seminars and webinars have been produced for interested stakeholders on this subject, and will continue to proliferate as the January 2017 full implementation date approaches. One particularly valuable educational opportunity will be presented in Rapid City in October.
The Farm Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to "promote objective analysis, constructive dialogue and innovative ideas to build a deeper understanding of issues critical to the future of agriculture, food systems and rural communities," is sponsoring the meeting. The meeting will be held Tuesday, October 13, at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, S.D., at 222 New York Street, beginning at 8:30 AM. The meeting will feature talks from representatives of the FDA and USDA, along with producers and veterinarians. A unique feature of the meeting will be the chance for all participants to voice their questions and views in small-group settings. Comments and questions, especially regarding management challenges brought on by the new regulations, will be gathered. This information will help inform stakeholders as they deal with these new rules.
The Rapid City workshop is one of 12 scheduled across the country. The workshop is free of charge, and open to all livestock producers, feed company representatives and veterinarians. More information and registration information can be found on the Farm Foundation website.
[ See: http://tinyurl.com/qzduv47 ]
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6. Zoonotic Disease Online Course Offered in October for Reduced $125 Price
Ctr. for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State Univ.
September 11, 2015
Recent outbreaks of plague, tularemia and increasing incidents of rabies exposure highlight the importance of zoonotic disease education for veterinarians, physicians, and public health professionals. Prevention and response efforts will require a One Health approach. The Center for Food Security and Public Health (CFSPH) at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine will offer a web-based course, Zoonoses: Protecting People and Their Pets, October 19 - November 27, 2015. To find out more and to register, visit http://zoonoses.info.
This course provides an excellent opportunity for veterinary, medical and public health professionals and students to refresh and gain knowledge of key zoonotic diseases of companion animals. The course is web-based and includes lessons, case studies, a discussion board, and online resources to assist course participants in educating clients about zoonotic disease prevention. The course is approved for 8.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval.
Partnerships between medical, public health and veterinary professionals are needed to raise awareness, enhance detection, and promote prevention of zoonotic diseases to protect the health of people and pets.
The course is supported by the Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases (CEEZAD) at Kansas State University, a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence. CEEZAD support enables users to take the $250 course at a cost of $125. Participants also receive a copy of the course textbook (a $70 value).
Veterinary CE Credit: This program has been approved for 8.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call the Center for Food Security and Public Health, 515-294-7189, for further information.
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7. ISU to co-host 'International Conference on Swine Feed Efficiency' in October
The Mapleton Press
September 11, 2015
Iowa State University and Kansas State University will host an 'International Conference on Feed Efficiency in Swine' in Omaha, Neb., Oct. 21-22.
The conference will deliver the results of the multidisciplinary Feed Efficiency in Swine research project conducted by Iowa State, Kansas State, and three international institutions.
Additional speakers have been invited from across the United States and eight foreign countries to present the latest information on feed efficiency in the areas of pig health, physiology, nutrition, genetics, pork quality, feed processing, and sow reproduction.
More than 40 presentations from university and swine industry experts will be available in a program that blends science and application.
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