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1. APHIS Issues Epidemiology Report for Avian Influenza Affected Poultry in Indiana
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
March 4, 2016
The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released a preliminary epidemiology report for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) cases confirmed in Indiana.
Animal health officials confirmed one case of HPAI H7N8 and eight cases of LPAI H7N8 in Indiana in January. This was a short incident, where the cases were quickly reported and everyone responded
Following these avian influenza findings, APHIS joined forces with the Indiana Board of Animal Health and the poultry industry to complete a series of epidemiologic, geospatial, and laboratory-based investigations.
In the report, APHIS outlines the findings of those investigations to date, which include:
* Genetic analyses of these viruses indicate that all viruses are of North American wild bird lineage, the HPAI and LPAI viruses are highly similar, and the LPAI virus mutated to HPAI at a single farm.
* APHIS sampled wildlife on infected premises but did not detect the new H7N8 virus.
* One of the factors examined was the weather. The weather in Dubois County, Indiana was warmer and wetter than past years, which may have contributed to the introduction and persistence of the virus. More detailed geospatial analysis is ongoing.
* APHIS used an in-person questionnaire to examine physical and management characteristics of infected premises. There were specific practices identified as risk factors in the 2015 outbreak. The initial analysis showed that farmers in Indiana had eliminated some of these practices from their routine. However, a few of those practices were still seen on the affected farms. APHIS is now collecting similar information on non-infected farms to help further interpret the infected case data.
To view the full epidemiology report see:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/downloads/indiana-epi-report.pdf
The preliminary findings reinforce the need to remain vigilant in the upcoming months and to maintain good biosecurity practices. Biosecurity is one of the most important steps any producer can take to protect the health of their birds. Biosecurity information, training resources, and a producer self-assessment are all available through the APHIS website.
APHIS will continue to provide updates to this report and investigate how the HPAI/LPAI virus was introduced and spread in Indiana.
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2. Role of wild birds disputed in avian flu outbreak mystery
By Lorna Benson
Minnesota Public Radio News
March 1, 2016
One year after America's deadliest avian flu outbreak on record, scientists are still flummoxed over the role of wild birds.
All the prior science had pointed to migrating ducks and geese spreading the virus to domestic turkey and chicken farms.
But none of the evidence in Minnesota implicates wild birds in last year's devastating outbreaks, and that's leading to new disputes about the virus.
Last year, in a massive hunt for the source of bird flu, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources tested more than 6,200 wild bird samples, mostly droppings, for signs of the virus.
The search turned up only two infected birds and neither was a waterfowl.
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3. Oral fluid testing for PRRS not only easier but better diagnostics
By Sarah Mikesell
PorkNetwork.com
March 4, 2016
Oral fluid testing is a cost-effective and easy method to collect disease information to optimize pig health and productivity and meet today's disease challenges.
An oral fluid sample provides an aggregate sample of the oral fluid from all the pigs in the pen that chewed on the cotton rope.
"The advantage of oral fluids is higher herd-level diagnostic sensitivity and higher herd-level diagnostic specificity than individual pig sampling and at a lower cost than collecting and testing individual animal specimens," said Jeff Zimmermann, DVM and professor at Iowa State University working with the Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory.
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4. U.S. pork producers weigh in on antibiotic use changes
By National Pork Board
PorkNetwork.com
March 4, 2016
In a recent survey, 82 percent of pig farmers say they are aware of the upcoming regulatory changes regarding on-farm antibiotic use. And of those surveyed, on average, 71 percent have a defined record-keeping protocol in place that they follow. That number grows to 83 percent among the country's largest pork operations, or those that market more than 80,000 hogs per year.
"This level of awareness underscores the real and substantive changes occurring today on how pig farmers use antibiotics on the farm," said National Pork Board President Derrick Sleezer, Cherokee, Iowa. "The high level of awareness of the changing regulation is encouraging, but not surprising. The U.S. pork industry is working hard to educate its pork producers about the upcoming deadline."
Sleezer added that the Pork Checkoff has developed and is sharing many new materials with pig farmers to make certain packers, processors and foodservice and retail customers understand how seriously the pork Industry is taking the impending regulation changes.
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5. Wasting disease case prompts investigation [TX]
By Robert Stein
Amarillo Globe-News
March 3, 2016
Texas wildlife and animal health experts are investigating a mule deer found in Hartley County that tested positive for chronic wasting disease last week.
The discovery of the infected animal marks the first time the disease has been found in the Texas Panhandle, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spokesman Steve Lightfoot said.
The wildlife department and the Texas Animal Health Commission are leading the investigation. Right now, it's unclear where the deer came from or if the deer might have become infected in the area.
Law enforcement agencies are looking into the circumstances surrounding the hunting of the infected deer, which may have been poached. However, investigators are fairly certain the deer was harvested in Hartley County.
"We're still gathering information about the situation, the surroundings. No charges have been filed," Lightfoot said. "Right now we're focused on developing a management strategy to monitor the disease in the area."
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6. Sunland Park Makes Progress in Fight Against EHV-1
Horse Racing Nation
March 5, 2016
Sunland Park Racetrack and the New Mexico Livestock Board continue to make progress in the fight against
EHV-1. The Livestock Board has tentatively set Wednesday, March 9, 2016 as the date which Sunland Park Racetrack will no longer be under Livestock Board quarantine. If final approval is granted, Sunland Park will open its barn area to outside horses and allow horses currently stabled on site to travel offsite.
Sunland Park General Manager Rick Baugh said "It has been a tough few weeks and I want to thank everyone for their hard work and understanding". He goes on to say "This virus is very serious and all our focus and resources have been dedicated to reducing its impact. I'd like to thank all parties involved for their help."
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7. Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council; Public Meeting
Federal Register Volume 81, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2016)
Notices
Pages 11832-11833
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04962]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
FWS-HQ-R-2016-N024;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: Wednesday, March 23, 2016, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern Daylight 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 South Penthouse Room, Main Interior Building, 1849 C St. NW., Washington, DC 20240.
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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