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1. USDA Issues Root Cause Investigation Report for Swine Enteric Coronavirus Diseases
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
September 30, 2015
The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today released a root cause investigation report outlining potential scenarios for how the Swine Enteric Coronavirus Disease (SECD) viruses entered the United States. APHIS examined seventeen potential root cause scenarios, looking to see if they meet all four criteria needed to bring the virus from an overseas location to US pig farms, as well as if there was evidence to support the scenario. While the investigation did not uncover definite proof for any route of entry, a small number of scenarios were deemed plausible.
The scenario that best fit the criteria for virus entry into the U.S. was virus spread through reuse of contaminated Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC). FIBCs are commonly used to transport many types of material including sand for flood control, soybeans, pet treats, or almost any kind of bulk material. They are designed to be reused. It is not a common practice to clean and disinfect these FIBCs between uses in the United States. Evidence collected as part of the investigation suggests that the FIBCs could be potentially contaminated in their origin country and, upon arrival in the United States, are likely being reused. If a contaminated FIBC was used to transport bulk feed or ingredients to the swine feed mill networks, a small bit of contaminated material could have been mixed into feed destined for many locations and spread the virus onto farms.
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2. WSU lab confirms bluetongue virus killing deer, livestock
By Charlie Powell, College of Veterinary Medicine
WSU News
September 30, 2015
PULLMAN, Wash. - The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory located in the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine has confirmed bluetongue virus (BTV) in 42 animals submitted from Washington and Idaho this fall.
All samples tested negative for epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHD).
The distinction between BTV and EHD is important: While both can cause similar signs in the same species, bluetongue can affect international trade while EHD is uncommon in cattle.
WADDL routinely tests for both viruses simultaneously when samples are submitted requesting testing for one or the other disease.
Most of the samples submitted to WADDL were from white-tailed deer. Other affected species included cows, domestic sheep, bighorn sheep, mule deer and a yak.
The laboratory detected BTV in animals from Whitman, Spokane, Asotin, Garfield, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties in Washington, as well as Latah, Clearwater, Canyon and Nez Perce counties in Idaho. Samples from cattle and bighorn sheep submitted from Churchill and Mineral counties in Nevada were also confirmed to have BTV.
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3. State Veterinarian appointed as interim Executive Officer of the Department of Livestock [MT]
Written by Montana Department of Livestock
KXLO-KLCM.com
September 29, 2015
The Board of Livestock announced the appointment of Dr. Marty Zaluski as the interim Executive Officer of the Department of Livestock while a search begins for a permanent replacement for Christian Mackay, who resigned the previous week.
While expressing gratitude for Mackay's service, the chair of the Board of Livestock, John Lehfeldt stated, "The Board is excited to bring a seasoned employee such as Dr. Zaluski to this position to minimize any disruptions to Department operations."
Zaluski, who has been serving as state veterinarian at the department since 2007, assumed the Executive Officer position immediately following a Board meeting on Friday when the board members approved the appointment.
Lehfeldt expressed confidence, "While there's still much work to do, the department is on the right track."
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4. First EEE-positive mosquito found in Mass.
By Joel Martinez
WWLP.com
September 30, 2015
BOSTON (WWLP) - The Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus has been found in a mosquito in Massachusetts for the first time this year.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the mosquito samples were collected on September 25th in the Town of Northbridge in Worcester County. The risk level in the Northbridge has now been risen to low.
"While this is very late for our first confirmation of EEE in Massachusetts, it is a reminder that we remain in season for possible transmission of mosquito-borne illnesses," said State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Catherine Brown. "Residents need to continue to take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites: use insect repellant, cover up, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their most active."
There have been no reports of human cases of EEE this year so far. In 2014, the DPH said there were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts, but in 2013 there was one.
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5. NOTICE: August 2015 Monthly Scrapie Report is Available
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
September 29, 2015
The monthly report for the National Scrapie Eradication Program for August 2015 is now available. The monthly reports are available in both PowerPoint and PDF formats.
PowerPoint Monthly Report
PDF Monthly Report
Highlights of the August 2015 Report
As of August 31, 2015, 32 positive cases (30 sheep and 2 goats) have been reported for FY 2015. Twenty-six of the positive sheep were from the same source flock. The 2 positive goat cases increased the number of confirmed cases in goats to 41, since FY 2002. One of these FY 2015 cases was the first positive goat found through slaughter surveillance.
As of August 31, 2015 (FY 2015), 30,595 were sheep and 6,695 goats have been tested for scrapie.
Announcement
On September 10, 2015, APHIS published a proposed rule to update the National Scrapie Eradication Program. APHIS also drafted updated scrapie program standards to accompany the proposed changes. APHIS is accepting comments on both the proposed rule and the draft revised standards through November 9, 2015. More information, including information about submitting comments, is available on the APHIS VS Scrapie Website.
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6. Fifth Antibiotic Symposium bridges the gap between human and animal health
By NIAA
Drovers CattleNetwork.com
September 30, 2015
Look no further for the game changer of the animal agriculture and antibiotics conversation. The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will be hosting one of the most diverse conversations on this topic in Atlanta, Ga. November 3-5, 2015.
"This [symposium] is the only event in North America where people from the medical sector, animal production sector, environmental sector and the retail sector are at the table together," Dr. Thomas Shryock, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, at Antimicrobial Consultants, LLC. He goes on to say, "We will look for a common ground and have a deep dialogue. This symposium is unique in that it is not about technical aspects; it is about a path forward."
Shryock, who is a speaker at the November event, believes that this year's opportunity to bring in the retailers conversation will highlight consumer demands. "It's an interesting dynamic when you are bringing people in who are concerned with human and animal health," he said.
"We need antibiotics, people get sick," said Shryock who has been in antibiotics for over 25 years. "There's a truly personal connection. It's exciting to use experience and expertise in activities that will benefit so many. We need to follow our curiosity and think big!"
The NIAA Antibiotics Symposium takes place November 3-5, 2015 in Atlanta, Ga. and is open to all individuals who want to learn from each other, engage in meaningful discussion and create successful strategies to safeguard antibiotic efficacy.
For more information or to register online go to AnimalAgriculture.org/2015-Antibiotics-Symposium or contact the NIAA by calling 719-538-8843 or emailing niaa@animalagriculture.org.
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7. DHS holds biological and agricultural security competition
By BioPrepWatch Reports
BioPrepWatch.com
September 30, 2015
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced that the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Research Development Partnerships (RDP) Group Office of National Labs (ONL) will be holding an ideation contest beginning Sept. 30.
The contest serves to facilitate innovation in areas relating to security in biological and agricultural arenas. DHS intends to invest in these areas through the establishment of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), which would house what is known as the innovation ecosystem.
The NBAF Think and Do Challenge seeks ideas that will facilitate the research mission of the facility and those that facilitate the development of products, policy and other services to foster national interests in biological and agricultural security.
They state that minimum prizes amount to $15,000 with the maximum payout for any one submission set at $100,000.
Submissions from individuals, organizations and companies should be entered to DHS between Sept. 30 and Nov. 30 by 11:59 p.m. ET.
The NBAF is a proposed facility that will specialize in the research of biological agents that affect livestock and crop health; it aims to be able to help in national efforts to develop vaccines and countermeasures against emerging diseases. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2022.
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