ANIMALNET OCTOBER 15, 1998 In the Nick of Time Newcastle Disease, Game Birds - USA (California) (05) Pilchard Deaths - Australia (South Australia( (02) Swine Fever, Classical - Argentina (02) Swine Vesicular Disease - Italy (Rovigo) Swine Fever, Classical - Germany (Westphalia) Swine Fever, Classical - Moldavia (03) Salmon Import Move Angers Fish Farmers Set All Of England's Mink Free! Oops. That's Killing Them. Eco-Friendly Aquaculture In Wetlands Alternate Injection Site For Cattle Cattle Producers To Self-Inspect In Alberta Pc Tells Of Day He Kicked Dog To Death AnimalNet is produced by researchers at the Agri-Food Risk Management and Communication Project at the University of Guelph, is edited by Wendy Powell (dpowell@uoguelph.ca) and Amanda Whitfield (awhitfie@uoguelph.ca), and is supported by the Ontario Cattlemen's Association, the U.S. National Pork Producers, U.S. National Food Processors Association, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited (Canada), the U.S. National Cattlemens Beef Association, Canadian Animal Health Institute, The Rutgers University Food Safety Extension Program, National Cattlemans Beef Association, Food Indsutry Environmental Network, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors and the Agricultural Adaptation Council (CanAdapt Program). archived at: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/courses/ansc481/animal_net.html IN THE NICK OF TIME October 17, 1998 New Scientist Debora MacKenzie A swiss cow infected with BSE has been removed from the human food chain after testing positive for the disease at an abattoir. (FSnet passim) The article noted that this is the first confirmed case of infection in an apparently healthy animal destined for the dinner table. During the past three months Switzerland's Federal Veterinary Office has organised tests of brains from 3000 randomly selected cattle more than 30 months old, at abattoirs across the country. All the brains have now been tested with a fast immunological assay for the prion protein thought to cause BSE, developed by Prionics, a company based in Zrich. An older, slower assay is also being used on the brain samples, and so far all the results from the first 2200 match the results of the fast assay. In September, both tests found the rogue prion protein in the brain of a four-year-old cow. The speed of the Prionics test meant the carcass was kept off the market. The story also noted that the sample of 3000 is too small to give an accurate incidence of BSE infection, but the results suggest that around 50 infected cows per year are eaten in Switzerland. Earlier this year, tests conducted by the Federal Veterinary Office and Prionics suggested a rate of infection of 45 per thousand in apparently healthy herd mates of cattle which had developed BSE (This Week, 13 June, p 4). In Switzerland, herds in which there is a case of BSE are destroyed. But the results raised the question of how many infected animals were lurking in apparently healthy herds. Markus Moser of Prionics was quoted as saying, "BSE has a long incubation time, so we always knew that in theory, some infected animals might be entering the food chain. Now we have actually observed it." The story went on to say that Prionics is now pressing the Swiss government to test all carcasses in abattoirs. In Britain, cows older than 30 months do not enter the food chain. The Swiss did not test younger cows because, even if they are infected as calves, it takes time for the prion to multiply to detectable levels. Moser said, "We would have needed a very large sample size to have detected infection in younger cows. But cows 20 months old have developed BSE in Britain." Roy Anderson of the University of Oxford, a member of Britain's Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, said epidemiological models of the disease predict that per year, between 200 and 300 cows incubating BSE enter the food chain in Britain. It is not clear if any of these contain sufficient prion in their tissues to infect people, however. And attempting to exclude these animals using a test like the one developed by Prionics could be expensive. "If it is not too expensive and reliable, testing at abattoirs would make sense," says Anderson. But so far, tests are expensive and their reliability is still unclear. The British authorities have decided testing is not yet warranted. NEWCASTLE DISEASE, GAME BIRDS - USA (CALIFORNIA) (05) October 14, 1998 ProMED Source: OIE, Vol. 11 - No. 40, 9 Oct 1998 Via: Martin Hugh-Jones NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Epidemiology: A. Source of agent / origin of infection: continued review and investigations have failed to determine the source. The only sources that could not be fully explored were traffic of people or undocumented movement of birds. B. Other epidemiological details: there is no evidence that the virus has spread from the initial outbreak site. The intensive surveillance area consisted of 52 premises containing 75 birds. These birds showed no illness by 10 July 1998 and were released from quarantine. No further indications of disease have been detected despite enhanced surveillance throughout California. Control measures during reporting period: stamping-out policy. Cleansing and disinfection were completed on 10 June 1998. On 10 July, the outbreak of velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease was considered eradicated and all quarantines released. The disease is notifiable and importation is prohibited from infected countries. PILCHARD DEATHS - AUSTRALIA (SOUTH AUSTRALIA( (02) October 14, 1998 ProMED From: GARDNER MURRAY & GARY MORGAN PILCHARD MORTALITY SOUTH AUSTRALIA On the 7 October 1998, two fishermen from the Spencer Gulf area (South Australia) reported sighting a significant number of dead pilchards floating on the surface of the water. Since the weekend commencing 10 October, there have been reports of additional deaths from northern Spencer Gulf, from the Gulf of St Vincent, and from areas adjacent to Coffin Bay. Pilchards have also started to wash up on a number of Adelaide's popular swimming beaches. Investigations, including plane surveys, are being carried out to assess the size and the distribution as well as spread of pilchard mortality. As a precautionary measure, South Australia are closing down the pilchard fisheries and restricting the movement of pilchard product. Relevant Australian authorities have been informed. Water samples taken do not indicate the presence of toxic algae. Dead animals have been collected for laboratory testing by South Australia's Veterinary Pathology Services. To date, histopathology indicates epithelial hyperplasia in gills of affected animals, however, because of the autolytic state of most of the samples, results need to be confirmed by examinations of a larger number of fresher samples. Samples have also been submitted to the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Victoria. Preliminary results - in particular on the presence of a virus - are expected by the end of this week; in the 1995 mortality event, a herpesvirus was associated with the pilchard kill. The virus could, however, not be isolated in cell culture; evidence was based on electron microscopical examinations. We will provide updates of the situation. SWINE FEVER, CLASSICAL - ARGENTINA (02) October 14, 1998 ProMED Emergency report Translation of a fax received on 29 September 1998 from Dr L.O. Barcos, President of the National Department of Agrarian Health (SENASA), Ministry of Economy, Public Works and Services, Buenos Aires: Nature of diagnosis: laboratory. Date of initial detection of animal health incident: 18 August 1998. Estimated date of first infection: 14 August 1998. Location No. of outbreaks Marcos Paz, Buenos Aires province 1 farm Description of affected population: in July 1998, 7-months-old female piglets were introduced onto a holding which had remained empty (without pigs) for more than three months. The piglets had received a booster vaccination before being introduced onto the holding. Total number of animals in the outbreak: susceptible 300 cases 60 deaths 5 destroyed 0 slaughtered 1 Diagnosis: A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: SENASA Central Laboratory. B. Diagnostic tests used: indirect immunofluorescence. C. Causal agent: not isolated. Epidemiology: A. Source of agent / origin of infection: not determined. B. Other epidemiological details: the agent has not spread, since the animals were kept in a closed shed, in stalls containing from five to eight animals. Control measures during reporting period: - Treatment of affected animals. Except for the five animals which died, all the animals treated satisfactorily reacted to antibiotics. - Control programme covering the whole country. Follow-up report No. 1, 9 October Extract from the monthly report of Argentina for September 1998, received on 7 October 1998 from Dr L.O. Barcos, President of the National Department of Agrarian Health (SENASA), Ministry of Economy, Public Works and Services, Buenos Aires: Number of new outbreaks of classical swine fever in September 1998: four (4). New outbreaks: Location No. of outbreaks Guatimozin, Crdoba province 1 Ordoez, Crdoba province 1 Isla Verde, Crdoba province 1 Berabev, Santa Fe province 1 Total number of animals in the new outbreaks: susceptible 1,140 cases 44 deaths 10 destroyed ... slaughtered 0 ProMED-mail [It should be noted that these reports are from three provinces, not too widely dispersed, but indicative of a severe problem. If a SENASA representative can inform us as to how this outbreak came about, it would be appreciated. - Mod.MHJ] SWINE VESICULAR DISEASE - ITALY (ROVIGO) October 14, 1998 ProMED Via: Martin Hugh-Jones SWINE VESICULAR DISEASE IN ITALY in Rovigo province Translation of a fax received on 2 October 1998 from Dr R. Marabelli, Director General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Public Health, Rome: Date of suspicion: 18 September 1998. Date of confirmation of diagnosis: 29 September 1998. Location No. of outbreaks Adria district, Rovigo province, Veneto region 1 Total number of animals in the outbreak: susceptible 157 cases ... deaths 0 destroyed 157* slaughtered 0 * on 30 September 1998 Epidemiology: primary outbreak. Control measures during reporting period: control measures provided by National and European regulations. SWINE FEVER, CLASSICAL - GERMANY (WESTPHALIA) October 14, 1998 A ProMED-mail post Via: George A. Robertson The slaughter order followed the killing of 3,000 pigs on Monday. Swine fever is a highly infectious porcine disease which is not harmful to humans. Farm authorities imposed a quarantine area around the Westphalian village of Warendorf, where the original outbreak was reported. Around 70 farms may not be sell or slaughter pigs until November 3. A further 500 pig farms are under observation. Officials said the disease spread after a batch of 257 piglets was delivered from Warendorf to Vechta in Lower Saxony. The neighbouring village of Cloppenburg has also been hit by the disease, and further areas are under observation. The Dutch Agriculture Ministry said it was tightening controls on the import of German pigs following the outbreak. All swine imported from Germany will be tested for the disease twice, at an interval of four weeks, and may not be transported in the meantime. CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER IN GERMANY The Delegate declares his country free from the disease See also: 27 February 1998, 13 February 1998, 23 January 1998 Text of a fax received on 25 September 1998 from Dr W. Zwingmann, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry, Bonn: End of this report period: 25 September 1998. The last outbreak of classical swine fever (CSF) in domestic pigs in Germany occurred on 16 March 1998. In Germany a stamping-out policy without vaccination against CSF is practised. In application of Article 2.1.13.2. of the International Animal Health Code, Germany may be considered free from CSF in domestic pigs from 16 September 1998. SWINE FEVER, CLASSICAL - MOLDAVIA (03) October 14, 1998 ProMED Via: Martin Hugh-Jones CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER IN MOLDAVIA Additional information See also: 25 September 1998, 12 June 1998, 15 May 1998, 7 May 1998, 30 April 1998, 3 April 1998 Translation of a fax received on 1 October 1998 from Dr V.M. Bahau, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Kishinev: End of previous report period: 11 September 1998 (see Disease Information, 11 [38], 129, dated 25 September 1998). End of this report period: 1 October 1998. No new cases of morbidity or raised mortality have been observed. All the usual disease control measures have been implemented. A total of 51,950 clinically healthy animals have been vaccinated. SALMON IMPORT MOVE ANGERS FISH FARMERS October 15, 1998 The New Zealand Press Mike Bruce New Zealand has, according to this story, opened its doors to imports from Australia, Canada, the European Union, Norway, and the United States, which have proper monitoring and inspection systems, of cooked and uncooked salmon, trout, and char. The August decision marks a resumption of trade in uncooked salmon that was halted 15 years ago for fear of introducing fish diseases. The Government believes the latest decision will create opportunities for New Zealand products in other markets, but salmon farmers believe the move could threaten one of the world's cleanest aquaculture environments. The farmers fear the spread of disease through disposal or by scavengers, such as birds, while the others perceive a threat to the country's clean trout stocks. A MAF adviser on international animal trade, Matthew Stone, was cited as saying that the decision followed a "thorough scientific evaluation of the potential health risks to fish and other aquatic animals". The decision has been made under the auspices of a Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Agreement concluded as part of the Uruguay round of GATT negotiations, which sought to rationalise non-tariff barriers to international trade. Mr Stone was quoted as saying, 'New Zealand and Australia have imposed measures for imports of salmon and trout products . . . which were well above what the rest of the world considered to be reasonable," adding that all imports must be accompanied by health certification, and all bulk product will be processed or packaged under MAF regulatory control. The measures are an acknowledgement of risk, but the decision addressed an imbalance in fish trade in which New Zealand was "seen" as being over-protective. SET ALL OF ENGLAND'S MINK FREE! OOPS. THAT'S KILLING THEM. October 15, 1998 The New York Times SARAH LYALL ONNELEY, England -- Len Kelsall, 60, is one of just 10 mink farmers left in Britain, where the government has declared a distaste for his vocation and has vowed to shut down the remaining farms. His mink were recently freed by an animal rights group. The Animal Liberation Front telephoned a local newspaper and was quoted as saying, "This action has given the mink a fighting chance of survival rather than a miserable existence ending in death by gas or electrocution." But even the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which was cited as saying that it has an "ethical objection" to the mink industry, admits that Kelsall is operating his farm completely legally and says it deplores the recent attack. Adding that it is not a good idea to let a bunch of captive minks, animals which have spent their entire lives in tiny cages and wouldn't know a rabbit from a garbage truck, out into the greater world. The agriculture spokesman was quoted as saying, "Mink are particularly vicious creatures. They don't have any particular fear, and will attack any sort of animal, whether or not they're hungry. Dogs, cats and other domestic pets are particularly at risk." Ros Varnes, a spokeswoman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was cited as saying that water voles, members of an endangered species, and many modestly sized creatures that the minks are likely to run into are also at risk, adding, "To release large numbers of mink that have been farmed and not used to fending for themselves is, in its own way, cruel." Animal rights are, according to this story, a big, divisive issue in Britain, with campaigners turning their often violent fury against a wide variety of animal-related activity, from fox hunting to medical experimentation on animals to the transport of livestock in trucks. But people in Kelsall's neighborhood, many of them conventional farmers, were cited as saying that in this case, it is the animal-rights groups that do not understand animals. Kelsall was cited as saying that he knows his days as a mink farmer are numbered, but he is waiting for the British government to make a financial offer that would allow him and his fellow farmers to close down without losing their income, adding, "We just want the government to be fair, to sit around the table and deal with it logically." ECO-FRIENDLY AQUACULTURE IN WETLANDS October 15, 1998 THE HINDU Pg: 28 :: Col: d Integrated fresh-water aquaculture in wetlands is, according to this story, an ecologically sound venture and an economically viable proposition. It offers good scope for efficient recycling of organic farm residues. The fish pond serves as a water harvesting and storage structure, and helps in saving crops during prolonged dry spells, according to experts. This story explained that farm-ponds in gardenlands and the paddy-cum-fish culture in wetlands are ideal for raising composite cultures, which include surface feeders, column feeders and bottom feeders. Improved varieties of fish such as catla, rohu, mrigal, grass carp, silver carp, cat fish and freshwater shrimp are the most commonly grown fish. In the integrated farming system, crop and livestock enterprises are also blended perfectly to enhance farm productivity and profitability. Crop residues are fed to livestock and their wastes are composted well to form an organic supplement to the fish ponds. Vermiculture can be included to provide live feed for the fish. This story outlined that weeds and a host of crop clippings can be fed as green forage for grass carps, and oilseed cakes and other proteinaceous material can be added as concentrate feed for the fish. Animal urine and vermi-wash are added to the ponds to encourage the growth of algae and a host of phytoplankton, which serve as a good nourishing medium for the fish. Introduction of ducks in the ponds can help in aerating the ponds. Installation of light traps for monitoring crop pest, will be highly beneficial to aquaculture. The trapped moths that fall into the water will be readily devoured by the fish. Dried and wet blood meal from the poultry and slaughterhouse can, according to this story, be fed in small quantities for freshwater shrimps. The role of fish in rice fields is well established. They feed on the weeds, and by their movements aerate the root zone. They also help a great deal in encouraging tillering in rice crop. Chinese farmers use a novel technique of biological control in rice-fish farms. They pass a rope across the standing crop and shake it vigorously to force all the larval pests to fall in to the water. The larvae become a ready feed for the voracious fish. Experts were cited as saying that botanical insecticides and fungicides raised in the farm can help in curing fish diseases as well. Neem pastes and turmeric pastes are being used to cure some serious fish ailments. The integrated approach helps in minimising the feed cost to aquaculture, and the crop residues can be converted to value-added fish through aquaculture. The integrated system is highly energy efficient. ALTERNATE INJECTION SITE FOR CATTLE October 15, 1998 Manitoba Cooperator Glen Nicoll Beausejour's large-animal veterinarian, Dr. Carl Reesink, was cited as telling cattle producers, at a recent seminar, that the hind end holds an easily accessible site for some subcutaneous injections. He explained that the fold of skin alongside of the tailhead is a good place to put subcutaneous (S.Q.) injections of 10 cc or less using a one-inch needle, adding, "You put it parallel to the spine in the fossa (dip) on either side of the base of the tail. The nice thing about it is that you can put it straight in there, whereas with S.Q. in the neck you have to angle the needle. There are limitations. The 10 cc is a bit of a snag but antibiotics like Micotel would fit into that as well as vaccines." There is, according to Reesink, minimal tissue damage because the injection can be done from the top and the needle can't be bent against the squeeze chute structure, causing unnecessary irritation. Danger to the operator is reduced because hands aren't in between the side of the animal and steel. An injection done parallel to the animal is less likely to cause damage should the animal jump during the process. Reesink was cited as added that the injection doesn't go near any muscle when done properly. Dr. Allan Preston, manager of veterinary field services for Manitoba Agriculture, was cited as saying that the site can work well when done properly but it lacks the loose skin that might give some flexibility according to the operator's skill level. He is reserved about recommending the site for the beef industry adding that it goes against one of the major principles of the Quality Starts Here program that of getting away from the rump completely. Injection site lesions, which are, according to this story, usually in the best cuts of the rump, are the most-common beef carcass problem. Packing plants have to cut away the meat spoiled by irritating vaccines and improper needle use or hygiene. The costs to the overall industry including labor to cut away the abscess and the spoiled meat are pegged at $10 for every animal slaughtered, according to the CCA's beef quality audit done a couple of years ago. Preston was quoted as saying, "Because of the nature of the dairy animal, it's easily definable. But you get a 500- or 600-pound calf coming off pasture and it's not nearly as identifiable. And if you think of a fleshy cow, the ischio-rectal fossa doesn't exist. When you throw in all the ifs, ands or buts, it compounds the situation. If you want to treat a calf with 25 cc of Biomycin, where are you going to go? Are you going to put 25 in one spot alongside the tailhead? Are you going to divide it up into three spots like you should and go side to side? Or are you just going to decide, since you're back there, that it's just as easy to give it intramuscular and get it done? We have made progress in this whole initiative of cleaning up injection sites and I'd hate to see us lose the progress." Reesink was cited as saying that the pharmaceutical industry move to limit carcass damage by going to smaller dosages of vaccines is worrisome, adding, "When we vaccinate the animal, we want to make sure we get enough product in there. If you lose a couple of drops on a two-cc vaccine, that is much more significant than a couple of drops on a five-cc shot. I need to see strong data to prove to me that those two-cc dosages are adequate and I guess I'm just not convinced yet." CATTLE PRODUCERS TO SELF-INSPECT IN ALBERTA October 15, 1998 CP EDMONTON -- Alberta Agriculture is, according to this story, transferring brand inspection services to the cattle industry on Nov. 1. Agriculture Minister Ed Stelmach was cited as saying that Livestock Identification Services will take over the task which will be paid for by ranchers. The company was formed by auction markets, ranchers, feed dealers and others related to the cattle industry. Dale Wilson, of Livestock Identification Services, was cited as saying that producers should not notice any difference in the service they receive or the fees they are charged. PC TELLS OF DAY HE KICKED DOG TO DEATH October 15, 1998 Electronic Telegraph A J McIlroy A police dog handler came close to tears yesterday as, according to this story, he described the moment his German Shepherd died in his arms after he hung it over a fence by its lead and kicked it six times. Mark Needham was quoted giving evidence at Chelmsford magistrates court, "I sat on the field and he laid with his head across my lap. I sat with him, stroking him. I noticed his head was getting very heavy. I lifted up his lips. They were very blue," adding that another officer joined him and said the dog, called Acer, was "exhausted" and should be left on his own to recover. A decision was made to take the dog to the vet. Pc Needham was further quoted as saying, "I knew he was very ill - and the next time I looked at him I just knew that he had died." Inspector Graham Curtis, 43, who led the Essex police dog unit based at Sandon, near Chelmsford, Sgt Andrew White, 37, who was in charge of instructors at the unit, and instructors Pc Kenneth Boorman, 45, and Pc Graham Hopkins, 42, all deny cruelty. Pc Needham, a policeman for 12 years, was cited as saying that during a dog handler refresher course at Sandon last November he was instructed to hang the dog over a 6ft fence and kick it on two separate occasions within three days. He described the treatment as "barbaric" but said he was in no doubt that if he had not obeyed orders given by his police instructor then the three-year-old dog would have been put down and he would have been taken off the police dog unit. He was cited as saying that before the course White had told handlers that if instructors ordered them to "sort out" their dogs, they had to obey or they would have to be "put down and **** off the section". Pc Needham was cited as saying that on the second day of the course Acer had grumbled and growled at him and then bit him on his left arm "without exerting a lot of pressure". He had told Boorman, the instructor on the course, what had happened and Boorman had sent all other dogs and handlers off the field, telling Pc Needham that his dog would be "sorted out". Veterinary nurse Saskia Gravett told the court she had been on duty at the surgery in Chelmsford where she was working last year when three police officers brought in Acer. She was quoted as saying, "I knew Sgt White and he was in distress. He was in the hallway half kneeling with his head down and breathing heavily. Outside were two other officers who all looked quite upset. I went into the prep room and saw a German Shepherd on the table and it was dead." The court has, according to this story, already heard that post mortem tests showed that Acer died as a result of internal haemorrhaging and a ruptured liver. The case continues. To subscribe to AnimalNet, send mail to: listserv@listserv.uoguelph.ca leave subject line blank in the body of the message type: subscribe animalnet-L firstname lastname i.e. subscribe animalnet -L Doug Powell To unsubscribe to AnimalNet, send mail to: listserv@listserv.uoguelph.ca leave subject line blank in the body of the message type: signoff animalnet-L For more information about the AnimalNet research program, please contact: Dr. Douglas Powell dept. of plant agriculture University of Guelph Guelph, Ont. N1G 2W1 tel: 519-824-4120 x2506 fax: 519-763-8933 dpowell@uoguelph.ca archived at: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/courses/ansc481/animal_net.html