Ridecamp: [RC] Fw: West Nile Virus (WNV) Confirmed in Dead Blue Jays in Houston]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gabrielle Gordon" <gaby@xxxxxxx>
To: "Elizabeth Mungall" <emungall@xxxxxxx>; "Carolina Livi"
<carolbrazilrs@xxxxxxxxx>; "Peggy Friauf" <RUNJUMPXC@xxxxxxx>; "Samantha
Garbarino" <shunt-Garbarino@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; "Milinda Ellis"
<milinda@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2002 5:55 PM
Subject: [Fwd: West Nile Virus (WNV) Confirmed in Dead Blue Jays in Houston]


> Confirmed.  WNV is here in Texas.
>
> Gabrielle
>
> carla everett wrote:
> >
> > NEWS RELEASE
> > Texas Animal Health Commission
> > Box l2966 *Austin, Texas 78711 *(800) 550-8242* FAX (512) 719-0719
> > Linda Logan, DVM, PhD* Executive Director
> > For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
> > ext. 710,
> > or ceverett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> > For Immediate Release--June 19, 2002
> > West Nile Virus (WNV) Confirmed
> > in Dead Blue Jays in Houston
> >
> > West Nile Virus (WNV), a form of "sleeping sickness," was confirmed June
18
> > in two dead blue jays found on the west side of Houston.  Veterinarians
at
> > the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock health
> > regulatory agency, are urging owners of horses, mules, donkeys and other
> > equids to ensure that their animals have been vaccinated against not
only
> > West Nile Virus (WNV), but also against Eastern and Western Equine
> > Encephalitis (EEE) and (WEE), two common forms of "sleeping sickness."
> >
> > "The introduction of West Nile Virus into Texas isn't surprising, as we
> > have monitored the south and eastward migration of the disease since it
was
> > first detected in North America in New York in l999.  Last year, WNV was
> > reported in 738 equids in 20 states," commented Dr. Terry Conger, TAHC's
> > state veterinary epidemiologist.  He explained that staff members from
the
> > TAHC and the Texas Department of Health (TDH), which focuses on human
> > health issues, have worked jointly to share laboratory and surveillance
> > information and educational materials about this disease which can be
> > transmitted from infected mosquitoes to humans and equids, causing brain
> > swelling and severe illness. Until l999, WNV was confined to Africa,
> > Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
> >
> > Dr. Conger said that the cycle of disease for WNV requires two key
players:
> > birds, such as crows, blue jays or hawks, that act as a reservoir for
the
> > virus, and mosquitoes that become capable of transmitting disease after
> > they take a blood meal from an infected bird.  According to the Centers
for
> > Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, there have been no documented
> > cases of person-to-person, animal-to-person or animal-to-animal
> > transmission of WNV.  "We consider humans and equids to be 'dead-end'
> > hosts, because they can become ill but haven't been shown to spread
> > infection.
> >
> > "Late last summer, infected birds were detected in Louisiana and
Arkansas,"
> > said Dr. Conger.  "Now with the confirmation of infected birds in our
> > state, the Texas Department of Health will probably find infected
> > mosquitoes through their surveillance activities.
> >
> > "Vaccines are available to protect horses, mules and donkeys against WNV
> > and other 'sleeping sicknesses,' but the shots are no value if they
aren't
> > given prior to disease exposure," said Dr. Conger. "We are running out
of
> > time before we may see disease transmission, so get your equids
vaccinated
> > now.  The vaccines require two doses, administered three to six weeks
> > apart, and full protection doesn't develop until four to six weeks after
> > the second dose.  Realistically, then, it can seven to 12 weeks for the
> > horse to develop maximum resistance to infection.  That's why it's so
> > important to start the round of vaccinations now."
> >
> > Dr Conger reminded equid owners that an annual booster is required for
> > continued protection of the animals.
> >
> > "If your horse or other equid has signs of illness, such as staggering
or
> > an inability to rise, call your veterinarian immediately.  It also is
> > extremely important to rule out other causes of sickness with similar
> > signs, such as rabies," asserted Dr. Conger. "If it is WNV, appropriate
> > care must be provided quickly.  Historically, about 20 percent of
infected
> > equids either died or had to be euthanized due to their illness."
> >
> > "To help reduce the possibility of WNV transmission, don't give
mosquitoes
> > a place to breed," said Dr. Conger.  "Keep only fresh water in birdbaths
> > and troughs and maintain optimal chlorination in swimming pools.  Drain
any
> > flowerpots or other containers that hold stagnant water and keep roof
> > gutters clean.  Control puddles that collect around stables."
> >
> > Dr. Conger commended the TDH on its WNV disease surveillance, which
> > includes testing mosquitoes, dead crows, blue jays, hawks and sampling
zoo
> > birds.  He said "freshly" dead crows, blue jays or hawks can be
submitted
> > for laboratory examination, by calling the nearest regional Texas
> > Department of Health office or the Texas Department of Health in Austin
at
> > 1-512-458-7255.
> >
> > "Always wear gloves when handling a dead bird, and wash your hands
> > thoroughly afterward," warned Dr. Conger.  "The bird could have had
> > parasites or other illnesses, and precautions are always advisable when
> > handling animals that have died of unknown causes."
> >
> > Dr. Conger reminded livestock owners that, as always, the TAHC operates
a
> > 24-hour hotline for taking reports of unusual signs in livestock,
including:
> >         1. staggering, falling, or inability to rise
> >         2. illness affecting a large percentage of animals
> >         3. sudden death loss
> >         4. blistering around an animal's lips, teats or hooves
> >         5. unusual ticks or maggots
> >
> > "We are always on guard, watching for a potential foreign animal
disease,
> > so we ask producers and veterinarians to watch for these signs and
report
> > them immediately to us at 1-800-550-8242,"  said Dr. Conger.  "Immediate
> > response is our best defense in the case of any dangerous disease."
> >
> > Additional information about WNV can be accessed on the internet at:
> >
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/zoonosis/diseases/arboviral/westnile/westnile.asp
.
> >
> >                                          --30--
>
> --
> Gabrielle M. Gordon
> e-mail: gaby@xxxxxxx


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