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1. Pa. horse that showed in N.J. had EHV-1
Lillian Shupe
NJ.com
December 28, 2015
Three horses at a private stable in Bucks County, Pa. have been euthanized after developing neurologic symptoms as the result of EHV-1 infection.
According to a memo sent out by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture: the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture placed the farm under quarantine.
One of the deceased horses attended a show in New Jersey on Dec. 12 and became ill 10 days later.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is in contact with the exposed farm in Doylestown, Pa. and is monitoring for any signs of the disease. Pennsylvania has notified area veterinarians and health departments.
The farm will be quarantined for 21 days after the last sign of illness in any horse.
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2. Anaplasmosis: Get ahead of the game
By Laura Mushrush, Assistant Editor
Drovers CattleNetwork
December 28, 2015
From the December issue of Drovers Cow/Calf.
Potentially lethal, easily spreadable and economically devastating, anaplasmosis can pack a powerful punch to beef producers who are not up to speed on the blood-infesting organism. The parasite itself is called Anaplasma marginale, and it operates by sinking its teeth into red blood cells and morphing into a peppercorn figure once inside. Once spotted by the immune system, the red blood cell is labeled an antigen and kicked to the curb, leaving the victim extremely anemic.
When it comes to the transmission of anaplasmosis, there are two main offenders, says University of Tennessee Extension veterinarian Lew Strickland.
First up is the ixodid species tick, aka "the American dog tick," aka "the wood tick." These vectors spread anaplasmosis through blood transmission as pests and make their way from cow to cow to cow.
"Because of the high transmission rate from ticks, anaplasmosis is going to be more prevalent during tick season - depending on your location, hitting in the summer and carrying through the fall," Strickland says. "Biting flies are also potential carriers of the disease."
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3. Two lesser-known tick diseases spike in Sussex County [NJ]
Rise in cases of anaplasmosis, babesiosis may be due to warmer weather, says physician
By Michael Tanenbaum, Staff
PhillyVoice.com
December 27, 2015
When most people think of the dangers posed by tick bites, Lyme disease is the first condition that comes to mind. The vector-borne illness, which generally peaks between May and September, is particularly concerning because early rash and flu-like symptoms are often misdiagnosed before the disease progresses into a chronic debilitating condition.
This year, New Jersey residents in Sussex County appear to be experiencing a rise in two lesser-known tick-borne diseases, anaplasmosis and babesiosis, in a trend that one physician says may be attributable to warmer temperatures lasting beyond the typical tick season, according to The New Jersey Herald.
Dr. Donald Allegra, an infectious disease specialist at Newton Medical Center, says the two conditions are starting to "newly emerge" as doctors in Sussex County report an uptick in diagnoses. The trend threatens to compound the already high prevalence of tick-borne diseases in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, both of which rank among the top five states in cases of Lyme disease over the past five years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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4. USDA Looking at Voluntary COOL Program
WNAX.com
December 28, 2015
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service is reportedly looking at a voluntary labeling country of origin labeling system for beef and pork. That's following the repeal of mandatory COOL in the recently passed Omnibus budget bill. U.S. Cattlemen's Association President Danni Beer says she's pleased the agency is exploring this option.
She says consumers want to know more about where their food comes from and a voluntary labeling system is definitely needed.
Beer is disappointed Congress didn't fight harder to keep COOL and gave in to retaliation fears.
FSIS is also developing guidance for federally inspected establishments related to geographic claims they may wish to make on beef and pork muscle cuts and ground products.
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5. Subway to move to all cage-free eggs by 2025
Chicago Tribune
December 28, 2015
Subway said Monday that it would use all cage-free eggs by 2025, joining other fast-food restaurants planning to make the transition amid pressure from consumers and animal welfare organizations.
Milford, Conn.-based Subway has already started to use cage-free eggs in some markets across the U.S. and Canada. Subway first introduced cage-free eggs when it launched breakfast in 2010. It has 30,000 locations in North America.
Subway uses cage-free eggs in Australia and eggs from free-range hens in Europe.
Chickens come first at cage-free egg business
Rod Wubbena of Phil's Fresh Eggs talks about the original mission of his father, Phil, who put his labor of love into feed and nutrition for his cage-free birds. (Chris Walker, Chicago Tribune)
The timeline announcement comes amid a new ad campaign for Subway, focusing on the freshness of the chain's food. Subway has announced plans to remove all artificial colors, flavors and preservatives by 2017, and use all antibiotic-free proteins in U.S. restaurants by 2025.
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6. Long live the OIE
Dr. Bernard Vallat - Editorial
December 23, 2015
While the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) was blowing out the candles for its 90th anniversary last year, my 15 years as elected head of this institution was drawing to a close, and it will come to an end in December 2015. I was first elected to the post in 2000, and Member Countries reaffirmed their confidence in me by electing me for a further two successive terms, in 2005 and 2010. Together, we can be proud of the immense progress that we have made, especially in the fields of animal health and welfare. On 1 January 2016, Dr Monique Eloit will take her place at the head of the OIE and I know that she will continue to build on our initial achievements and develop many new projects.
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7. Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council; Public Meeting
Federal Register Volume 80, Number 248 (Monday, December 28, 2015)]
Notices
Pages 80793-80794
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32598]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-HQ-R-2016-N215; FXGO1664091HCC0-FF09D00000-167]
Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council; Public Meeting
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a public meeting of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council (Council). The Council provides advice about wildlife and habitat
conservation endeavors that benefit wildlife resources; encourage partnership among the public, the sporting conservation organizations, the States, Native American tribes, and the Federal Government; and
benefit recreational hunting.
DATES: Meeting: Tuesday, January 26, 2016, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday, January 27, 2016, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). For deadlines and directions on registering to attend,
submitting written material, and giving an oral presentation, please see ``Public Input'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the National Wild Turkey Federation Visitor Center, 770 Augusta Road, Edgefield, South Carolina, 29824.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua Winchell, Council Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; telephone: (703) 358-2639; or email: joshua_winchell@fws.gov.
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