Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study
Date of this Version
January 2004
Abstract
• A highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus (H5N1) recently has been reported among domestic poultry in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. This virus also has been responsible for 23 confirmed human cases, including 18 deaths.
• U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman announced a “presumptive positive” case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a dairy cow from the state of Washington.—Report on completed investigation.
• Proposed Rule in the Federal Register regarding a chronic wasting disease (CWD) herd certification program and interstate shipping requirements for captive deer and elk.
• Another BIG Year for West Nile Virus: Since West Nile virus (WNV) was first recognized in the United States in 1999 the geographic distribution of the virus has spread progressively, and the resulting morbidity and mortality associated with human, equine, and wildlife infection has increased.
• Two cattle herds in Wyoming recently were confirmed to be infected with brucellosis, which will result in loss of the state’s Brucellosis Free Status, according to the Brucellosis Uniform Methods and Rules (UM&R) of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
• During the autumn and winter of 2003, SCWDS received generous contributions from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Alabama Wildlife Federation, and the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in support of work on chronic wasting disease (CWD) being conducted at SCWDS.