Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/06/news-scan-jun-10-2020
News Scan for Jun 10, 2020
CWD detection in Wisconsin; H5N8 avian flu in Hungarian poultry
Filed Under:
Chronic Wasting Disease; Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Chronic wasting disease detected in Wisconsin ranch that lured wild deer
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) confirmed that two deer at Brush Ranch Outfitters, a Wisconsin game ranch that was previously charged with the unauthorized taking of live wild animals and failure to register deer, have chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal prion disease in cervids, which are members of the deer family.
Now the 1,600-acre Trempealeau County ranch, home to 505 cervids, is in quarantine. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Brush Ranch Outfitters paid $17,505 in civil forfeitures for illegal activity at and around its facility last year, including luring wild deer onto the ranch.
The detection comes after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced earlier this month that the incidence of CWD in wild deer in the state rose 25% in the last year. A total of 1,334 samples deer tested positive for CWD in the last year, up from 1,061 during the previous hunting season, Wisconsin Public Radio reported last week.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, 56 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties have been affected by CWD. In 2019, 23 counties reported detections.
In related news, Minnesota has expanded deer feeding and attractant bans, following the detection of CWD in a wild deer in Dakota County in March. Beginning Jul 1, Minnesota's DNR will ban such activity in six Twin Cities–area counties: Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, and Washington
"To prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, it’s important to limit close contact among deer," said Michelle Carstensen, PhD, Minnesota DNR's wildlife health program supervisor, in a statement. "By keeping feed and attractants out of our backyards, Minnesotans can discourage the congregation of deer that spreads this deadly disease."
Jun 9 Wisconsin DATCP statement
Sep 28 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel story
Jun 1 Wisconsin Public Radio story
Jun 5 Minnesota DNR statement
H5N8 avian flu strikes more poultry in Hungary
Hungarian veterinary officials reported six more highly pathogenic H5N8 outbreaks in poultry, part of sporadic similar detections over the past few months, according to a Jun 8 notification from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
The outbreaks all occurred at farms in Bacs-Kiskun County in central Hungary. The events began between May 18 and Jun 4, killing 882 of 173,956 birds. The rest were culled to control the spread of the virus.
So far, the source of the virus isn't known, but health officials said wind, high humidity, and human contact are likely to be contributing factors.
Jun 8 OIE report on H5N8 in Hungary
News Scan for Jun 10, 2020
CWD detection in Wisconsin; H5N8 avian flu in Hungarian poultry
Filed Under:
Chronic Wasting Disease; Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Chronic wasting disease detected in Wisconsin ranch that lured wild deer
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) confirmed that two deer at Brush Ranch Outfitters, a Wisconsin game ranch that was previously charged with the unauthorized taking of live wild animals and failure to register deer, have chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal prion disease in cervids, which are members of the deer family.
Now the 1,600-acre Trempealeau County ranch, home to 505 cervids, is in quarantine. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Brush Ranch Outfitters paid $17,505 in civil forfeitures for illegal activity at and around its facility last year, including luring wild deer onto the ranch.
The detection comes after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced earlier this month that the incidence of CWD in wild deer in the state rose 25% in the last year. A total of 1,334 samples deer tested positive for CWD in the last year, up from 1,061 during the previous hunting season, Wisconsin Public Radio reported last week.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, 56 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties have been affected by CWD. In 2019, 23 counties reported detections.
In related news, Minnesota has expanded deer feeding and attractant bans, following the detection of CWD in a wild deer in Dakota County in March. Beginning Jul 1, Minnesota's DNR will ban such activity in six Twin Cities–area counties: Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, and Washington
"To prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, it’s important to limit close contact among deer," said Michelle Carstensen, PhD, Minnesota DNR's wildlife health program supervisor, in a statement. "By keeping feed and attractants out of our backyards, Minnesotans can discourage the congregation of deer that spreads this deadly disease."
Jun 9 Wisconsin DATCP statement
Sep 28 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel story
Jun 1 Wisconsin Public Radio story
Jun 5 Minnesota DNR statement
H5N8 avian flu strikes more poultry in Hungary
Hungarian veterinary officials reported six more highly pathogenic H5N8 outbreaks in poultry, part of sporadic similar detections over the past few months, according to a Jun 8 notification from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
The outbreaks all occurred at farms in Bacs-Kiskun County in central Hungary. The events began between May 18 and Jun 4, killing 882 of 173,956 birds. The rest were culled to control the spread of the virus.
So far, the source of the virus isn't known, but health officials said wind, high humidity, and human contact are likely to be contributing factors.
Jun 8 OIE report on H5N8 in Hungary