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October 4, 2002
WNV Update:
A few new things to mention. Report yesterday from Washington State Dept of Health that WNV has now been found in that state (see report below). Newport is in the northeast edge of the state, right next to the Idaho border so likely means the virus is in at least the panhandle of Idaho. Officially this means WNV has NOT been reported in only 5 continental states: Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Utah and Arizona. The number of equine cases nationwide reported by USDA is now (thru 9/30/02) at 7462 with approximately one third of those dead (died or euthanatized). As mentioned before this tally is behind as reports filter through the system (e.g. Montana is shown as 99 cases in the USDA info, whereas I know we are up to 117). Human cases reported by CDC is now at 2631 with 136 mortalities (5.1%) as of 10/3/02. WNV transmission to humans is predominantly mosquito, however transfusions, organ transplants, and now breast milk have all been confirmed as alternative, but rare, methods for transmission. A human vaccine is under development using Yellow Fever virus as the backbone. Reports are that the vaccine may be available within 3 years. A nucleic acid screening test for blood used in transfusions may be available by next summer. There are several different reports of clinical disease in alternative hosts (outside humans, birds, equine) including some I listed in the last update. However, so far these appear to be just isolated individual cases.
CWD Update:
Some of you may have heard of the rash of new cases reported out of Colorado. Case reports have extended the southern reach of CWD (southwest of Denver), and westward in Mesa County, Summit Co and Routt Co. Cases involve both elk and mule deer. For those of you who know Game Management Units these include GMU 39 and 461 (southwest of Denver), 421 (Mesa Co), 37 (Summit Co) and 441 (Routt Co). In Wisconsin, the game farm in Portage County (central part of the state, well away from the free-ranging endemic CWD area in the south) with the affected White-tailed deer (WTD) traced back to Walworth Co (southeast part of state, and also quite far from the free-ranging endemic area), and further. Several game farms appear to have exchanged deer and those are being examined. Though not widely known yet, apparently WTD from suspect areas went to other game farms out of Wisconsin. Likely we'll hear more about this later.
BSE Update:
A few new reports with Poland and the Czech Republic both reporting their 3rd cases, and Italy its 72nd case. Ireland appears to be on a major upswing with 4 new cases recently reported bringing their case total to 246 for 2002 alone. At this time, France has dropped it import prohibition on British beef as the rest of the EU did last year.
Thomas J. Roffe, PhD, DVM
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
USGS-BRD
FWP Bldg, 1400 S. 19th Ave.
Bozeman, MT
T: 406-994-5789
F: 406-994-4090
Cell: 406-539-4955
Supporting Document:
From: Marianne Hopp <mjhopp12@yahoo.com>
Source: Washington State Department of Health, news release Wed 2 Sep 2002
[edited]
<http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2002_News/02-159.htm>
Washington State: raven tests West Nile virus positive
OLYMPIA: West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in a dead raven collected near Newport, Washington. Testing at the National Wildlife Health Center Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin confirmed the virus. This is the first WNV detection in Washington, according to the state Department of Health. There have been no human cases of WNV acquired in the state. "West Nile virus is moving west and has already been detected in other western states, so we have been expecting it to arrive in Washington," said Jack Lilja, WNV surveillance program manager. "We have a good surveillance system in place, and it worked. "The raven was collected in Pend Oreille County and submitted by the Northeast Tri County Health District as part of the Washington Department of Health dead bird surveillance program.
Many local and state agencies as well as private volunteer groups are participating in the surveillance work. "The risk of West Nile illness is low, and taking precautions to protect against mosquito bites can help you reduce that risk," said Lilja. Simple measures may help reduce the risk of exposure to mosquitoes that transmit WNV. Lilja encouraged people to continue reporting dead birds to their local health departments for possible testing so the state health department can track the spread of WNV in Washington.
WNV infection is primarily a bird disease, and crows are especially susceptible. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on an infected bird and can pass the virus to humans, horses, or other hosts when they bite. No human or horse cases of WNV infection have been reported in Washington.
Nationwide, 43 states have detected the virus and 2477 confirmed human cases have been reported.
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://biology.usgs.gov/cro/WNV10-04-02.htm
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