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1. Indiana Avian Flu Event is Not Over Yet
By Gary Truitt
Hoosier Ag Today
January 22, 2016
Although tests in the Dubois County avian influenza incident continue to prove negative, much more work must still be completed before this event can be considered over, according to Indiana State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh, DVM. "We are optimistic with each day that yields more negative flock tests," said Dr. Marsh. "But we are mindful that the situation could change, and that continued testing and surveillance are the vitally important next steps that will be ongoing for a few weeks."
Weekly testing and monitoring of commercial poultry farms in the 10-kilometer control area will continue for several weeks as Indiana moves through the process to be declared avian flu-free. Indiana established an additional 10-kilometer surveillance zone with aggressive testing requirements to assure the industry and partners the disease is not present. Birds and eggs may be moved into and out of the control area only after negative testing.
In addition, state and federal teams have visited 1,935 residences in the 10 km control area to identify small/backyard flocks for testing. Tests of those 96 identified flocks, which are nearly complete, have all proven negative. After initial testing, these flocks will be retested in 14 days.
"The State Board of Animal Health continues our resolve to eliminate this virus wherever it is found," Dr. Marsh said. "We know this virus is unpredictable, and it can pop-up again. So reporting bird illness and maintaining high biosecurity is vital to protecting Indiana poultry."
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2. Local support vital in avian flu response
By Local Sources
Dubois County Free Press
January 23, 2016
Local responders have played vital roles in the response to the avian influenza outbreak.
While state and federal responders dealt with the avian influenza directly, local departments have provided many services behind the scenes.
"They haven't been out front due to the type of response, but their participation and expertise has been paramount," said Dr. Brett Marsh of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. "We could not have accomplished what we have without local team partners."
The firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and health officials who call Dubois County home have braved long hours, severe cold and stressful conditions to keep residents safe and to help stop the flu from spreading to other bird flocks.
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3. USDA Issues Updates to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Fall Plan
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
January 22, 2016
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today issued updates to its Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Fall Plan. The updates include additional detail around reimbursement for any virus elimination activities and the results from an August 2015 industry survey on preparedness. APHIS has also finalized its vaccination policy, which was previously released as a draft policy. These updates will help APHIS, states, industry and producers to be even better prepared to address the HPAI virus if it returns this winter or spring.
In the original fall plan, released in September 2015, APHIS outlined its intent to use a flat rate reimbursement for virus elimination activities (cleaning, disinfecting) on infected properties. However, the details were still being finalized. The updated plan provides greater detail about how flat rate reimbursement will work. APHIS will provide a flat rate to the producer, based upon the type of facility and the number of birds in the flock. The flat rates are based upon averages and lessons learned during the spring outbreak. They cover the cost of barn preparation, dry cleaning and heat disinfection. The flat rates are:
Turkey $3.55 / bird
Layer $6.45/ bird
Broiler $1.15 / bird (This is an estimate based on industry averages because no broiler flocks were affected in the previous outbreak)
The producer will be able to use the funds provided to do the work themselves or to hire an outside contractor. They can also use the flat rate money to help fund alternate effective virus elimination methods after consultation with APHIS representatives.
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4. EHV Confirmed at Sunland Park [NM]
By Erica Larson, News Editor
TheHorse.com
January 22, 2016
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, in New Mexico, has confirmed that one horse has tested positive for equine herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4). The test results were released Jan. 21.
A statement from Sunland Park indicated that the affected horse was a 5-year-old Thoroughbred mare named Another Dollar, who was claimed on Jan. 9 after finishing fifth for a $5,000 tag by Karl Broberg from the barn of Roy Marcom, Jr. The horse became ill and was euthanized four days later.
"As of January 21, Sunland Park will not be allowing any horse on or off its grounds," the track said in the statement. "The restriction will be in place until the environment is confirmed free from EHV. The teams on site are working diligently to disinfect all equipment, both personal and equine to prevent the spread of EHV. Sunland Park is planning to continue with live racing on Friday, January 22, as planned."
The most common types of equine herpesvirus are Type 1 (EHV-1), which can cause abortions, respiratory disease, and neurologic disease, and Type 4, which usually causes respiratory disease, but can occasionally cause abortion. EHV-1 and EHV-4 infect the respiratory tract and can spread via aerosolized secretions from infected coughing horses, as well as direct or indirect contact with nasal secretions.
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5. Professor pegs future of chronic wasting disease
Nicholas Haley, DVM and PhD
Great Falls Tribune
January 22, 2016
Perhaps no issue is as controversial in the hunting community right now as Chronic Wasting Disease. There's constant finger-pointing and a lot of theories about how it will change hunting forever for the worse. But fortunately, emerging scientific research suggests that CWD doesn't have to be the scourge that many fear.
Last year, a herd at an Iowa ranch was depopulated after one of the animals tested positive for CWD, as is standard U.S. Department of Agriculture protocol. However, the situation took years to resolve as the ranch owner fought for a more equitable solution. As such, CWD naturally spread among the animals.
This provided a unique opportunity for testing of the animals, since depopulation normally occurs relatively quickly. After testing and euthanizing the entire herd, sadly a large percentage were identified as CWD positive. The silver lining was that 20 percent were negative, and we are currently looking at a genetic link to resistance in these animals.
If we can further characterize this resistance in deer, that's very promising. As CWD spreads - and it will, since you can't stop free-ranging deer from moving around - then the deer that are more genetically susceptible to the disease will die off at higher rates than those that are less genetically susceptible. The net result will be a hardier population of deer that is more resistant to CWD. With farmed deer, there's the potential to select for this resistance faster than nature herself could.
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6. Don't become fatigued to PEDV
By Cheryl Day
National Hog Farmer
January 21. 2016
As North Dakota logs its first case of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus this winter, it is a good reminder that hog farmers need to stay on guard against the deadly virus that has killed estimated 9 million pigs since 2013. "We are not over PEDV. It is still out there and there are still farms breaking," warns Paul Sundberg, DVM, Swine Health Information Center director. "The question that we all face is what we can do about it and how can we affect how many break."
He adds, "There is risk of people coming fatigued from PEDV. They have heard about it so often. They may have gone through it and the assumption is if you've gone through it then 'ok now I have it, now let's get on with life', but that is not the case."
Fighting PEDV takes an all-embracing approach, especially with multiple ways pigs can become infected. "Unfortunately, there is no one thing people can do and say we have it taken care of. This is a comprehensive approach. It has got to be an issue of paying attention to the biosecurity details and pig management all the time," Sundberg stresses.
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7. World Veterinary Day Award 2016
30 APRIL 2016
OIE Press Release
January 2016
To celebrate the World Veterinary Day (WVD) that will take place globally on 30 April 2016, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) are organising the World Veterinary Day Award 2016 to reward the most successful contribution by the veterinary profession on the selected theme for 2016: Continuing Education with a One Health focus.
The competition is open to all WVA member associations, alone, or in cooperation with any other selected body.
The winner association of the 2016 Award will be presented at the Opening Ceremony of the OIE 84th General Session to be held in Paris, France on 22nd May 2016.
Veterinarians play a crucial role in protecting global health. In all areas of the profession, they have opportunities and responsibilities to improve the health and welfare of animals, and therefore, to improve the health of humans.
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