Viral infection, NOT CWD
09-25-2002 | 04:58 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Fork Horn
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 448
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From: SE Wisconsin
Viral infection, NOT CWD
Viral infection suspected in death of deer(s)
<font size=4>Officials say case unrelated to chronic wasting disease
</font id=size4>
By JESSE GARZA
[email protected]
Last Updated: Sept. 24, 2002
One of 18 deer found dead last week in the area where chronic wasting disease has been discovered probably died from a viral infection unrelated to the fatal brain disease found in that area, officials said Tuesday.
The deer tested positive for epizootic hemorrhagic disease, which comes from a blood-borne pathogen more commonly found in the southeastern part of the country, said Bob Manwell, a spokesman for the state Department of Natural Resources. The disease is spread by biting flies and other insects that will soon die off because of the coming cold weather, Manwell said.
The dead deer were found within the 389-square-mile area of Dane, Iowa and Sauk counties where the DNR wants as many as 25,000 deer killed to control the spread of chronic wasting disease in the herd.
The deer's death is the first documented case of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in Wisconsin, said Sarah Shapiro Hurley, a veterinarian and deputy administrator for the DNR's Land Division.
Laboratory analysis of a blood sample taken from a 2-year-old white-tailed doe confirmed the finding, Hurley said in a statement.
The doe was found on property four miles north of Barneveld in Iowa County on Sept. 19, she said.
Signs of infection among deer vary, and many infected deer show no or only mild signs, she said.
Animals with the disease initially may exhibit depression, fever, respiratory distress and swelling of the head, neck and tongue. While some animals die within eight to 36 hours of experiencing the first symptoms, many live longer and show lameness, reduced activity and emaciation, Hurley said.
Lesions can develop on certain parts of an infected deer's body, and it can have a fluid buildup or hemorrhages. The disease typically occurs in late summer and early fall, she said.
Vickie Cooper, a diagnostic pathologist at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory in Madison, said the presumptive diagnosis of epizootic hemorrhagic disease raises some concerns about other animals testing positive for the disease, but it probably is an isolated situation. Typically, cattle do not get the disease, she said.
The viral disease is not connected to chronic wasting disease and people cannot become infected with it, Cooper said.
Other tests to confirm Cooper's diagnosis were still under way at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, and a wildlife disease laboratory at the University of Georgia, she said.
Kerry Beheler, a DNR wildlife health specialist, said the disease has been found mainly in southern and southeastern states, but Iowa had deer deaths from it in 2000.
Dan Egan of the Journal Sentinel staff and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sept. 25, 2002.
<font size=4>Officials say case unrelated to chronic wasting disease
</font id=size4>
By JESSE GARZA
[email protected]
Last Updated: Sept. 24, 2002
One of 18 deer found dead last week in the area where chronic wasting disease has been discovered probably died from a viral infection unrelated to the fatal brain disease found in that area, officials said Tuesday.
The deer tested positive for epizootic hemorrhagic disease, which comes from a blood-borne pathogen more commonly found in the southeastern part of the country, said Bob Manwell, a spokesman for the state Department of Natural Resources. The disease is spread by biting flies and other insects that will soon die off because of the coming cold weather, Manwell said.
The dead deer were found within the 389-square-mile area of Dane, Iowa and Sauk counties where the DNR wants as many as 25,000 deer killed to control the spread of chronic wasting disease in the herd.
The deer's death is the first documented case of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in Wisconsin, said Sarah Shapiro Hurley, a veterinarian and deputy administrator for the DNR's Land Division.
Laboratory analysis of a blood sample taken from a 2-year-old white-tailed doe confirmed the finding, Hurley said in a statement.
The doe was found on property four miles north of Barneveld in Iowa County on Sept. 19, she said.
Signs of infection among deer vary, and many infected deer show no or only mild signs, she said.
Animals with the disease initially may exhibit depression, fever, respiratory distress and swelling of the head, neck and tongue. While some animals die within eight to 36 hours of experiencing the first symptoms, many live longer and show lameness, reduced activity and emaciation, Hurley said.
Lesions can develop on certain parts of an infected deer's body, and it can have a fluid buildup or hemorrhages. The disease typically occurs in late summer and early fall, she said.
Vickie Cooper, a diagnostic pathologist at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory in Madison, said the presumptive diagnosis of epizootic hemorrhagic disease raises some concerns about other animals testing positive for the disease, but it probably is an isolated situation. Typically, cattle do not get the disease, she said.
The viral disease is not connected to chronic wasting disease and people cannot become infected with it, Cooper said.
Other tests to confirm Cooper's diagnosis were still under way at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, and a wildlife disease laboratory at the University of Georgia, she said.
Kerry Beheler, a DNR wildlife health specialist, said the disease has been found mainly in southern and southeastern states, but Iowa had deer deaths from it in 2000.
Dan Egan of the Journal Sentinel staff and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sept. 25, 2002.
09-26-2002 | 11:27 PM
#4
Spike
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Stevens Point WI USA
RE: Viral infection, NOT CWD
Actually, they are similar, but they are not the same disease. Blue tongue is also known as catarrhal fever.
http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/factshts/ehd.htm
http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/factshts/ehd.htm
