|
* * * * * * * * * *
1. Chronic Wasting Disease vaccine fails elk test [WY]
By Angus M. Thuermer Jr.
WyoFile.com
November 17, 2015
The state wildlife veterinarian told Wyoming Game and Fish commissioners that a vaccine to fight Chronic Wasting Disease appears to have failed in a test among live elk.
Dr. Mary Wood cautioned that her findings are preliminary, that they haven't been peer-reviewed or published, and that there is a hiccup in the study. Nevertheless, she said the live tests revealed a statistically significant difference showing the vaccine to be ineffective.
"We have not observed a protective effect associated with this vaccine," she stated in a PowerPoint presentation to the commission. "There may be a negative effect associated with this vaccine," she said, with inoculated elk about seven times more likely to develop CWD.
Thirteen surviving elk will continue to be studied in the test, she said. The trial also may help researchers better understand how genetic differences make some elk less susceptible, possibly immune, to the disease.
Full text:
********
|
|
2. Risks associated with the use of antimicrobials in animals worldwide
By Dr. Bernard Vallat, OIE Director General
Editorial
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has evaluated the quality of national animal health systems, including Veterinary Services, in more than 130 countries.
More than 110 of the countries evaluated - mainly developing and emerging countries - do not yet have relevant legislation concerning appropriate conditions for the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of veterinary products, including antimicrobials. In some cases, legislation is totally non-existent. Where it does exist it is very often not properly applied because of lack of public funds for the implementation of controls.
In such countries, antimicrobials are usually freely available to anyone, directly or indirectly, without restriction. Worse still, they circulate as normal goods and are often adulterated (dosage less than that mentioned on the packaging, different molecule or complete placebo). Thousands of tonnes of adulterated antimicrobials destined for use in animals are circulating worldwide (and the same is true of antimicrobials for human use).
Unfortunately, the use of antimicrobials in animals by untrained personnel is not confined to developing and emerging countries. In a significant number of Member Countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), it is easy to acquire antimicrobials, particularly via the internet, and many farmers do so. Some of these countries still allow the use of some antimicrobials on fruit trees to control certain bacterial diseases, as well as the incorporation of some antimicrobials into animal feed as growth promoters or for other non-therapeutic purposes. Political action, for example by the G8 countries or the World Trade Organization, could hope to persuade countries in this category to change these practices, estimated by many credible scientists as risky.
In the area of preventing antimicrobial resistance in animals (and its potential benefits for public health), although some countries and regions are already very cautious, the adoption of effective provisions by the rest of the world is likely to be long, difficult and controversial, not to say illusory.
********
|
|
3. Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Cody Area [WY]
MyBigHornBasin.com
November 17, 2015
The latest round of tests from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's (WGFD) chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance program has found the disease in three new hunt areas, including a hunt area near Cody.
WGFD staff at the wildlife disease laboratory in Laramie confirmed the presence of CWD in a white-tailed buck from deer hunt area 112 southwest of Cody, in a bull elk from elk hunt area 12 northeast of Saratoga, and in a white-tailed doe in deer hunt area 171 north of Lander. Consistent with previous CWD findings for the season, these hunt areas are all near or overlap areas where CWD has been detected before.
"We continue to work hard to monitor CWD, research its impacts and potential vaccines," said Scott Edberg Deputy Chief of Game and Fish's Wildlife Division. "By the end of the year, we will be releasing a draft updated CWD management plan for public review and comment. We look forward to hearing from the public about this proposed plan."
Full text:
********
|
|
4. Taco Bell announces move to cage-free eggs by end of 2016
FoxNews.com
November 16, 2015
Taco Bell Monday announced it is moving its egg supply to 100 percent cage-free at all restaurant locations by the end of next year.
The fast food taco chain joins restaurants like Panera, McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts with its cage-free pledge-but with a 2016 deadline, it will be the first major fast food chain to make the big switch.
"Implementing this change at record pace underscores that we are always listening and responding to our customers, while doing what is right for our business," said Brian Niccol in a statement. The move will not only "appeal to customers' tastes" but is also in direct response to issues Taco Bell customers care about like animal welfare, according to Niccol.
Full text:
********
|
|
5. Pitt Researchers Focus On Vaccines For 'Alphaviruses'
By Mike Richards
WESA.FM
November 16, 2015
When the word "bioterrorism" comes up in conversation, an anthrax-laced envelope might come to mind. But what about terrorists utilizing mosquitos to spread a virus?
That's the type of bio-warfare the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research is focusing on fighting.
A $7.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense, allows researchers to accelerate the development of drugs and vaccines against alphaviruses, a group of about 30 different viruses that are mainly transmitted by mosquitoes.
"The goal is to protect people from either natural outbreaks or potential man-made outbreaks of these viruses," said Amy Hartman, assistant professor in the Center for Vaccine Research at Pitt.
These alphaviruses attack the brain and are found in regions of North and South America, according to Hartman. Outbreaks occur sporadically in horses and humans, occasionally leading to severe illness or death. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the most severe type of alphavirus has a mortality rate of up to 35 percent.
Full text:
********
|
|
6. Egg Prices Fall From Record As Chicken Flocks Rebound From Flu
By Linly Lin and Megan Durisin
Bloomberg News
SWTimes.com
November 17, 2015
U.S. retail egg costs fell in October from a record reached after prices soared 52 percent in the previous four months following the poultry industry's loss of 48 million birds caused by avian influenza.
Egg prices declined 5.3 percent to $2.808 a dozen from the all-time high of $2.966 in September, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Tuesday. The drop was the biggest since May 2014. In September, the number of laying hens rose for the third straight month, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"We started to see the bird population rebound, and people were looking at ways to reduce or replace their egg products," Brian Moscogiuri, an egg-market analyst at Urner Barry in Bayville, New Jersey, said in a telephone interview.
U.S. egg imports in 2015 will double to a record 80.9 million dozen, the agriculture agency said on Nov. 10.
High prices spurred producers to ramp up output, while processors boosted imports, Moscogiuri said.
Full text:
********
|
|
7. Great Lakes aquaculture meeting will be live streamed
By Wil Hunter
UPMatters.com
November 17, 2015
Gaylord, MI - State leaders today reminded the public of an upcoming meeting in Gaylord, Michigan, to review and discuss the issues around net-pen fish farming in the Great Lakes.
Commercial net-pen aquaculture is the practice of raising fish in an underwater net (or solid structure cage) that serves as a pen. Two companies last year approached the state of Michigan with proposals to raise rainbow trout in netpens in lakes Huron and Michigan. The Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources, and Environmental Quality called for a thorough review of the science, regulation and economics of commercial net-pen aquaculture. Five resulting reports have been completed and posted online.
Staff from the three agencies will host a public meeting Thursday, Nov. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Convention Center at Treetops Resort, 3962 Wilkinson Road, in Gaylord, to inform the public about the content of the reports and receive public comment.
Those interested in providing public comment at the meeting are encouraged to register in advance by contacting Hannah Guyer at 517-284-5813 or guyerh@michigan.gov.
The meeting also will be live streamed, courtesy of Michigan United Conservation Clubs, for those who are unable to attend. Those interested in watching should visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mediaconference at the start of the meeting.
Full text:
********
|
|
