PLAGUE, FELINE - USA: (MONTANA)

*******************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 7 Aug 2010
Source: West Yellowstone News [edited]



Plague reported contracted by area cat
--------------------------------------
Veterinarians at White and White Veterinary Hospital in Ennis,
Montana, have diagnosed the 1st case of plague this summer in an
indoor/outdoor pet cat. Over the years, veterinarians there have
diagnosed numerous cases of plague and tularemia, all in domestic
cats and in the summer months.

Cases have ranged from as far north as Norris to this most recent
case in the south, residing at Raynold's Pass.

A diagnosis of plague is confirmed either by growing the culprit
bacteria from a fine needle aspirate or by demonstrating an increase
in antibodies in the cat from the onset of the disease, compared to a
convalescent blood sample taken 3 to 4 weeks later. An independent
lab in Colorado confirmed the Raynold's Pass cat did have plague. The
cat has since made a full recovery.

Indoor/outdoor cats in rural areas that hunt rodents are the most
likely to encounter the 2 diseases.

Signs [in animals] include swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, anorexia
and a high fever.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[The causative bacterium, _Yersinia pestis_, is transmitted to people
through fleabites and direct contact with infected animals. Each
rodent species is host to one or more species of fleas which, when
infected, are carriers. These fleas generally do not infest other
animals unless their natural hosts are unavailable.

Domestic cats and dogs can also contract plague from infective fleas.
They may carry infected fleas home to their owners or, especially
cats, serve as a direct source of infection. There are many flea
treatments and repellents appropriate for pets and available. Some
products may be suitable for dogs but not cats or may be suitable for
an adult but not a younger animal. Be sure to consult your
veterinarian, as some products may be toxic to cats, kittens, and
puppies, even resulting in fatalities.

Clinical signs in pets involve a localized swelling, such as under
the jaw in cats, but also in the inguinal region or under the front
leg (the armpit if you will), lethargy, anorexia and fever. Please
take your pet to a veterinarian if you notice any abnormalities in
your pet. Veterinarians should protect themselves by wearing gloves
when examining these swellings. A bubo that ruptures may infect the
veterinarian or even the pet owner if the pet owner is the one
palpating the swelling.

You should also be aware that the fleas that hitchhike into your home
via a pet vehicle and can also transmit disease to you, the owner or
caretaker of the pet. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Plague - USA: (CA) ground squirrel 20100708.2275
Plague, canine - USA: (NM) 20100418.1259
Plague, cougar - USA (WY) 20100208.0429
2009
----
Plague, feline - USA (CA) 20091205.4150
Plague, fatal - USA (05): (IL) lab strain susp. RFI 20090921.3320
Plague, fatal - USA (04): (IL) lab strain susp. RFI 20090920.3298
Plague, fatal - USA (03): (NM) recovery 20090715.2530
Plague, tularemia, prairie dogs - USA (SD) 20090712.2494
Plague, fatal - USA (02): (NM) risk, prevention 20090611.2153
Plague, fatal - USA: (NM) bubonic 20090605.2080
Plague, rabbit - USA (NM) 20090415.1435
2008
----
Plague, human, prairie dogs - USA: (AZ) 20081012.3229
Plague, bubonic - USA: (CT ex WY) 20080827.2672
Plague, wildlife - USA: (CO) rabbit 20080727.2289
Plague, prairie dogs, ferrets - USA: (SD) (02) 20080722.2213
Plague, prairie dog, ferrets - USA: (SD) 20080708.2082
Plague, feline - USA (WY): mountain lion 20080522.1694
Plague, prairie dogs - USA: (CO), susp., RFI 20080506.1552
Plague, human, feline - USA (NM): early season cases 20080127.0340]
....................tg/ejp/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
############################################################
######################################################

WHITE NOSE SYNDROME, BATS - USA (14)

********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 7 Aug 2010
From: H.J.Baker, BSc, DVM



If we can get enough money people excited about a solution, we could
mount an attempt, at least, at a treatment.

For example:

1) Do we know whether providing a food source for bats during the
winter would keep them going long enough to become immune to the
fungus? Bat caves could be supplied with trays of wax-worm larvae
that would pupate and become moths IN the cave to feed any bats that
wake up hungry mid-hibernation. It would not be possible to feed ALL
the caverns, but some is better than none.

2) Most anti-fungal drugs are fat-soluble. Could we feed larvae of
flying insects (supplied in the cave) substrate laced with
ketoconizole (as an example) so that the adults carry a therapeutic
dose of antifungal for any foraging bats?

3) Is it worth altering the environment in the cave to make it too
dry for easy fungal growth? Pictures I have seen from caves near
Denver show masses of white mycelium hanging from the cavern roof.

Research in a hurry is needful and will be expensive.

--
H.J.Baker, BSc, DVM
Etobicoke, Ontario
Canada


[I am unaware if any of these treatment methods have been tried.
There was a similar trial on spreading some antifungal on a few bats
and hoping it would spread through the colony by grooming. However,
that has been several months ago and there has been no follow up
published. So Dr. Baker is putting forward some thoughtful solutions. - Mod.TG]

[See also:
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (13): update 20100807.2678]
....................tg/ejp/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
############################################################
############################################################

Louis Vuitton's Case

PLEASE CROSS POST!!

Read below and take a second to send a letter to keep this MONSTER in
prison!!!

You tube video links of Louis Viutton are at bottom of email.

From: Koerner, Richard Richard.Koerner@mh.alabama.gov

Date: Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 2:13 PM
Please write to keep this monster in prison

Most of you will probably remember (especially if you are in Alabama) the
horrific and cruel case of the Pitt Bull in Montgomery, "Louie Vuitton" that
was savagely beaten with a shovel and then doused with lighter fluid and set
on fire. The monster who perpetrated this vicious act of cruelty is Juan
Daniels of Montgomery.

The reason he committed this horrendous act: He asked to use the family car
and was denied, so he took his anger out on his loyal dog. He was convicted
of felony animal cruelty and received a sentence of 9 years. Well, this man
is up for parole and the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles will consider
his case on 08/24/2010.

Louie Vuitton suffered terrible injuries including being burned over 60% of
his body. Louie now lives in a loving and caring home with his adoptive
human parents, William and Dee Hartley.

We are asking that you take just a few minutes and write the Board urging
them to deny this parole. I have attached a copy of the letter I have
written because it details some of Louie's terrible injuries. However,
there are two short and inspiring videos on You Tube which give the history
of this abuse case and Louie's life now. I would urge you to take a few
moments and watch these videos and then write a letter.

The videos are entitled "Meet Louis Vuitton" and "Louie Viutton, A Life
Defined". The Board reads all letters sent to them concerning these cases.

The letters should be sent to:

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, Post Office Box 302405,
Montgomery, Alabama 36130. The letter should reference: "Juan Daniels,
AIS#263875".

This man does not deserve a parole in my opinion. I went to visit Louie
while he was undergoing his long and painful treatment and recovery at the
vet clinic. Even though he was in so much pain, he could not even stand,
(his foot pads were completely burned off) he wagged his tail and responded
even though he was tortured by another human being.

Thank you and please advocate for Louie who cannot speak for himself.

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJItdoliW2Y

UNDIAGNOSED DEATHS, DEER - SPAIN: (ZAMORA), REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

*******************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Fri 6 Aug 2010
Source: Publico.es [in Spanish, Trans. Corr.SB, edited]



Farmers fear spread of unknown disease from deer
------------------------------------------------
The Junta (Provincial government) confirmed 42 deer cadavers in
Zamora, while the number of deer cadavers claimed by COAG
(Coordinadora de Organizaciones de Agricultores y Ganaderos,
Coordinated Farmers and Ranchers Organizations) is about 100.

The deer have died in the protected area of the Sierra del Culebra
(Zamora). So far, the authorities have failed to identify the cause
of these mortalities.

The 1st 2 dead deer were found on 28 Jul 2010 in the municipality of
Villadeciervos. Since poisoning was ruled out, an infectious disease
was suspected; autopsies results are not yet disclosed.

According to COAG, mouth lesion are suggestive of a hemorrhagic
disease. They fear a spread of the disease to cattle and other
domestic ruminants, criticizing the secrecy of the regional
government concerning the cause of disease.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[Orbiviruses, such as bluetongue and epizootic haemorrhagic disease
(EHD) viruses, are the main suspects of the described event. EHD is
known to be particularly pathogenic in deer.

The season of BTV-vectors activity has restarted in Spain and
Portugal, similarly to other European countries, in June. So far, no
BTV circulation has been reported during 2010. However, 2 virus
serotypes, BTV-4 and BTV-1, are known to be circulating in the
Maghreb countries. EHD was recorded there in 2006.

Details of the changes observed in the dead deer in Zamora, and
results of the their laboratory investigations are requested. In case
an orbivirus involvement is confirmed, the situation in Portugal,
bordering Zamora on its south, deserves to be investigated as well. - Mod.AS]

[see also:
Bluetongue, ovine - Morocco: BTV-4, BTV-1, OIE 20100723.2466
Bluetongue - Europe (02): EU, update 20100605.1872
Bluetongue, bovine - Algeria: (EB), OIE, BTV-4 20100205.0396]
....................sb/arn/ejp/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
############################################################
############################################################

SEWAGE SPILL, FISH KILL - USA: (TENNESSEE)

******************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Wed 4 Aug 2010
Source: The Tennessean [edited]



A weekend [1 Aug 2010] sewage leak killed thousands of fish and other
wildlife in the Stones River West Fork and may lead to the state
fining the city of Murfreesboro, an official said.

"You will probably have many hundreds to thousands of dead fish from
a 1.25 mi [2 km] stretch," said Doug Markham, an information officer
for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in the Middle Tennessee
region. "Wildlife belongs to the state. We try to recoup some of the
value. The river will replenish. It will recover. But some kind of
assessment will be done as to the loss of value of wildlife to the
Stones River."

As a precaution, city officials are asking residents to stay out of a
portion of the Stones River after the sanitary sewer overflow on
Sunday [1 Aug 2010] caused raw sewage to enter the West Fork Stones
River just south of the bridge over Bridge Avenue.

The city has posted warning signs along the Stones River Greenway
from the Bridge Avenue area to the Searcy Street Trailhead off
Medical Center Parkway. The city is even advising people to stay out
of the river as far downstream as the Thompson Lane Trailhead to the greenway.

The city learned Sunday afternoon [1 Aug 2010] around 1:30 pm that an
Old Fort Park Pumping Station for its sewer line failed sometime the
day before near the Old Fort Golf Club by the No. 3 green. Golfers
dealt with the stench before city workers by 3:30 p.m. stopped the
overflow oozing out of manhole cover on Molloy Lane on the south side
of Bridge Avenue, Water and Sewer Director Joe Kirchner said.

Kirchner said a lightning strike around 3 or 4 pm Saturday [31 Jul
2010] caused the pump station failure and probably contributed to
sensors failing to recognize something was wrong. A resident called
sewer system staff the next day to alert the department after
noticing dead fish and gray water near the bridge.

Kirchner, a 27-year city veteran, hopes the affected river area will
be safe again by this weekend [7-8 Aug 2010]. The city is still
trying to figure out how much sewage went into the river.

"This hot water doesn't help us any," he said. "Water doesn't hold as
much oxygen when it's hotter. The stream is naturally trying to clean
itself up right now."

Full enjoyment of the river, though, may take longer, said Markham,
the wildlife resources officer. "I probably wouldn't go fishing in
that particular spot for a couple of months," Markham said.

Both of his department's assigned officers have looked into the leak,
and TWRA [Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency] biologist David Sims
counted the dead river wildlife, Markham said. This includes fish,
salamanders, crawfish, mussels, small clams, and many other aquatic
wildlife. Sims' assessment should be done soon.

The city could face fines that vary on the value of the wildlife
killed. Largemouth bass, for example, will have a greater value
because they're more popular for fishermen than crawfish. Any fines
will be up to the Tennessee Department of Environment and
Conservation, TDEC spokeswoman Tisha Calabrese-Benton said. Her
department was contacted by the city about the problem and sent staff
to examine the leak.

The problem will not impact the city's drinking water, which is
processed at the city's water treatment plant by the Stones River
East Fork on the far north side of the city.

To help the damaged river area recover, the city has added repurified
water to the stream that has a higher degree of devolved oxygen in it
to replenish what was depleted as a result of the raw sewage
overflow, Kirchner said.

[Byline: Scott Broden]

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[Interesting dilemma. First of all, how does a state value its
wildlife? Is it an arbitrary figure? It cannot be based on fishing
licenses as those same licenses can be used elsewhere in the state.
While there are swap meets and trade days, there is not that high a
traffic selling some of these animals, and generally those markets
are breeding or pet quality, and wildlife may be neither of those.
So, how does the TWRA establish a 'cost'?

While no one is happy about the stench and the ramifications, the
river will recover, as dilution is the solution to pollution. Trite
though it may be, it is nevertheless true. Adding purified water will
help the river flush itself and restore cooler waters and more oxygen
to the water.

The determination of how much sewage spilled may not be as important
as how it happened in the first place. Determining that may help
prevent a 2nd spill.

Likely many of the fish were oxygen depleted and heat stressed to
start with, so the environment was fragile before the incident.

Although the potable water processing plant may be on the other side
of town, it is not clear if the plant is upstream or downstream of
the spill. The other side of town does not answer that question. I
cannot help but wonder if we will be seeing a 'boil water order' in
the next week or so when the filters of the water processing plant
are plugged up, unless of course the drinking water plant is upstream
from the spill. - Mod.TG]

[As stated above, it is not clear what the geography of the water
supply intake and the plant sewage output is. A large number of human
enteric pathogens could contaminate a water supply downstream from a
sewage leak including bacteria such as _E. coli_, _Salmonella
enterica_, and _Campylobacter_ and a host of viruses. - Mod.LL]

[The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Tennessee is available
at . - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
1996
----
Sewage sludge (2) 19960716.1270
Sewage sludge - RFI 19960715.1263
BSE Slaughterhouse sewage 19960702.1205]
...................................sb/tg/ll/mj/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.

SALMONELLOSIS, REPTILE FEED - UK, USA (02)

******************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 2 Aug 2010
Source: CDC, Salmonella Outbreak Investigations [edited]



CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states and
the FDA to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infection,
serotype I 4,[5],12:i:-. Investigators are using DNA analysis of
_Salmonella_ bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify
cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

As of 9 pm EDT on 29 Jul 2010, a total of 34 individuals infected
with a matching strain of _Salmonella_ serotype I 4,[5],12:i:- have
been reported from 17 states since 1 Jan 2010. The number of ill
persons identified in each state with this strain is as follows: AL
(1), AZ (1), CO (1), GA (7), IA (1), IL (3), MA (3), MI (1), MO (3),
NC (3), NV (1), NY (2), SC (1), TN (1), VA (1), WI (3), and WY (1).

Among the persons with reported illness onset dates available,
illnesses began between 4 Dec 2009, and 9 Jun 2010. Infected
individuals range in age from less than 1 to 57 years old and the
median age is 12 years. 53 percent of patients are male. Among the 17
patients with available information, 1 (6 percent) was hospitalized.
As of 29 Jul 2010, no deaths attributed to this infection have been reported.

CDC and public health officials in multiple states are conducting an
epidemiologic study. Preliminary analysis of this study has suggested
an association with frozen rodents used for reptile feed. Ill persons
(61 percent) were significantly more likely than well persons (0
percent) to report any exposure to rodents in the week before
illness. Additionally, ill persons (26 percent) were significantly
more likely than well persons (0 percent) to report using frozen
rodents for reptile feed in the week before illness. An environmental
investigation was conducted by the FDA, and culture of samples
collected yielded Salmonella that matched the human outbreak strain.

Although referred to differently in the USA and UK, the strain in the
USA investigation is indistinguishable from the strain that caused an
outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2009. The outbreak investigation by
the Health Protection Agency of the UK implicated frozen mice
imported from the USA as food for pet reptiles as the source of human illness.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[As noted in the CDC report the _S. enterica_ isolates I 4,[5],12:i:-
and DT191A are identical.

As a review, discussed by Ana Paccagnella (supervisor of the Enteric
Bacteriology Section at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control),
:

_Salmonella_ as a genus has 2 species, _enterica_ and _bongori_. _S.
enterica_ is divided into 6 subspecies: _enterica_, _salamae_,
_arizonae_, _diarizonae_, _houtenae_, and _indica_. _S. enterica_
subspecies _enterica_ (or subspecies I) strains are the ones usually
isolated from humans or warm-blooded animals and represent a majority
of the salmonellas that are clinically important.

The designation _Salmonella_ I 4,[5],12:i:- means:
- the "I" reflects subspecies _enterica_;
- the "4, [5], 12" are the O (or somatic) antigens associated with
the organism; It should be noted that serotype Typhimurium carries
somatic antigens 4, 5 and 12 (the Group B antigens). Paccagnella
pointed out to me in an e-mail that an O antigen underscored or
placed in [ ] can refer to whether the antigen is related to phage
conversion or not.
- the nomenclature after the colon, in this case i:-, reflects the
flagellar or H antigens. It is these H antigens that define the
serotype identity within an individual group of salmonellas.

Almost all of these organisms are biphasic in regard to the H
antigens, that is, they can switch from 1 flagellar antigen to
another. As an example, _S._ Typhimurium is I 4, 5, 12:i:1,2. The
outbreak organism here, however, is monophasic. This monophasic
strain appears to be such due to the absence of the _flj_B gene which
is involved in the H antigen switching mechanism.

According to Paccagnella, around 1903 Smith and Reagh reported on the
different behavior of the flagellar and somatic antigens of
salmonella strains. Their work was mostly ignored until Weil and
Felix, working on _Proteus_ cultures, noted 2 forms, the swarming
form called the H form (_mit Hauch_, in English: with breath] and the
non-swarming form, called the O form (_ohne Hauch_, in English:
without breath). The H form contained both O and H antigens
(correctly termed the OH form). These parallels were transposed to
the salmonella antigens.

If O antiserum is added to a culture, motility is preserved whereas
if H antiserum is added the culture does not move. Therefore, H
antigen was involved with swarming in the agar plate (breathing might
have been used to imply the ability to move). (Salmonellas, of
course, do not swarm on certain agar plates like _Proteus_ do.) - Mod.LL]

[see also:
Salmonellosis, reptile feed - UK, USA: st Typhimurium DT 191A 20100730.2555
Salmonellosis, reptile feed - USA: recall 20100729.2545
Salmonellosis, serotype 4,[5],12:i:- - EU 20100606.1888]
...................................ll/mj/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.

Hundreds of Dead Penguins Wash Up on Shore in Brazil

http://www.newser.com/story/96052/hundreds-of-penguins-wash-up-in-brazil.html