ANIMALNET JULY 26, 1998

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease -- Australia: conclusions
Bacterial Bug Tests Scores of Triathletes Epidemiology
ALF-released mink bites 8-year-old girl
Utah animal rights arson task force disbands
Actress Betty White continues to distance herself from AR
Conflicting Aims Leave Ban on Human Cloning in Limbo
Hot summer hits bird business
Monks Oppose Hog Farm Expansion
Astronauts seek humane retirement for chimps
Kim Basinger: Let my elephants go


AnimalNet is produced by researchers at the Agri-Food isk 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, 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, and the Agricultural Adaptation Council (CanAdapt
Program).

RABBIT HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE - AUSTRALIA: CONCLUSIONS
July 24 /98
proMED
I shall attempt to give you something of an update on some of the
epidemiology of RHD as seen in Australia. I have recently performed
analyses on data collected retrospectively on 245 release sites in NSW
[New South Wales]. A paper arising from this work has recently been
submitted to the Australian Veterinary Journal. The following paragraphs
present the important findings and conclusions from this work.
Results - For each week following cessation of rabbit breeding activity
there was an 7% decline in the odds of an outbreak occurring. Low ambient
temperatures were associated with outbreaks, with a decrease in the odds
of disease falling by 13% for each 1C rise in mean monthly temperature in
the month following release. The presence of high flea infestations (odds
ratio 3.3) and moderate rainfall (25 to 50mm) in the month of release
(odds ratio 27.4) were also associated with the occurrence of outbreaks.
However, rainfall also was an effect modifier of temperature, whereby the
sparing effect of high temperatures was apparently reduced in months in
which the rainfall was over 50mm. Effects of lesser importance included
the presence of RHD in the vicinity of the release site, which was
associated with a mean population reduction 9% lower than those sites
where RHD was not close by. However, the prior presence of RHDV on farm
was found to be associated with an eight-fold increase in the odds of an
outbreak occurring. The presence of cattle in the vicinity enhanced
population declines by 12% over those properties without cattle.
Increasing distance from the nearest water body was associated with a
decrease in the odds of an outbreak occurring, such that for each 100
metre increment there was a 10% decline in the probability of disease
occurrence.
Conclusion - This is the first report finding a strong association between
the presence of high flea numbers, breeding activity in rabbits and
rainfall, and outbreaks of RHD. Although European rabbit flea numbers rise
in concert with breeding activity in rabbits, the two factors may act
independently. Fleas leaving dead viraemic rabbits in search of new hosts
have great potential to increase viral transmission, and breeding activity
may produce changes in physiology, behaviour and demography resulting in
enhanced transmission. Low to mild environmental temperatures which
enhance viral survival are also often associated with rabbit breeding
activity in many areas.
Moderate monthly rainfall may also stimulate breeding activity through the
promotion of high quality pasture growth. Fly and mosquito activity,
associated with proximity to cattle and water, suggests a minor role of
these flying insects in local transmission. Firm evidence for persistence
of the virus in a population following first introduction is provided by
the greatly increased likelihood of outbreaks associated with the prior
presence of RHDV in an area.
The NSW tablelands areas suffer from a reduced likelihood of outbreaks and
lower population declines than other parts of the state. Such effects may
result from a less intense and more protracted breeding period in these
cool, high rainfall areas where green feed is often available all year. An
additional factor may be the presence of a non-virulent rabbit
calicivirus, such as has been found in Europe, which may protect a
proportion of the population from the virulent disease. The presence of
such a virus in the moderate to high rainfall areas of Australia has been
suspected following testing of sera from the Cooma and other districts.
These sera, collected prior to the escape of RHDV from quarantine on
Wardang Island, have demonstrated moderate caliciviral antibody levels in
a proportion of the samples. Such pre-escape antibody levels have not been
found in rabbits from semi-arid areas where high mortality rates (>95%)
were seen following the initial RHD epidemic.
In summary, it appears as though a significant proportion of the rabbit
population must be reproducing (birth pulse) before a noticeable outbreak
of RHD will occur. In high, reliable rainfall areas breeding activity may
often occur at a low intensity and over too prolonged a period to allow
development of outbreaks associated with high flea abundance. Efforts to
artificially generate widespread and effective disease outbreaks are
likely to be met with frustration unless necessary risk factors are
present in the population or environment. Further, this association with
breeding suggests that the virus and host have developed a stable
relationship whereby outbreaks will occur only when some offspring are, by
nature of age insusceptible, thereby facilitating survival of host
populations and consequent viral persistence. If high levels of virus
particles are only present in the blood during terminal stages of this
acute disease then there will be little opportunity for mosquitoes, flies
or fleas to transmit infection from live hosts. This is especially so if
there is a high density threshold for infectious particles in the blood
before successful transmission by biting insects can occur, as has been
shown for myxomatosis. Thus, if most RHDV spread depends upon flea and fly
transmission subsequent to host death, then there will also be continuing
selection pressure for viral pathogenicity.
Additional comments - The virus released in New Zealand was illegally
derived from Australia, either a field isolate from a dead rabbit(s) or
purified virus used for releases in Australia.
New evidence involving positive PCR testing of lymphoepithelial tissues
from serologically positive rabbits suggests that a carrier state exists
in at least some recovered rabbits. It is conceivable that the stress
associated with low temperatures and rainfall events may stimulate viral
shedding and initiate outbreaks in populations in which sufficient other
risk factors are present.
Dr Ian Lugton
Veterinary Epidemiologist
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit
NSW Agriculture
Orange Agricultural Institute
Orange
2800 Australia
e-mail ian.lugton@agric.nsw.gov.au
[What percentage of the European rabbit population was killed by this
virus? Is the virus still spreading throughout Australia? Is there any
evidence for increasing resistance against the virus? Any [scientific]
evidence whatsoever that humans have been infected? - Mod.CHC]

BACTERIAL BUG TESTS SCORES OF TRIATHLETES EPIDEMIOLOGY: HEALTH OFFICIALS
FEAR HUNDREDS OF ATHLETES WHO COMPETED IN TWO MIDWEST EVENTS MAY HAVE BEEN
SICKENED BY ONCE-RARE LEPTOSPIRA.
July 25 /98
Los Angeles Times/ UPI
WASHINGTON -- One-in-five athletes of more than 600 athletes contacted are
experiencing symptoms such as muscle aches, fatigue, a pounding headache
or the shakes, of illness from exposure -- apparently during the lake swim
at the Ironhorse triathlon in Springfield, Ill -- to Leptospira. So far,
74 suspected cases of leptospirosis (LEHP'-toh-spah-ROH'- sihs), also
known as swamp fever, have been identified.
Christine, 33, a physical therapist from Holland, Pa. was quoted as
saying, "I called a friend at work, and that's the last thing I remember"
before waking up in a hospital with an intravenous line dripping into her
arm. "He came to my apartment, found me lying on the floor drenched in
sweat and carried me to the emergency room."
Dr. John La Montagne, deputy director of the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases was quoted as saying, "We always seem to forget
that infections are out there, that we are vulnerable and that they can
cause us problems. Our only hope is to stay one step ahead of them."
Dr. Jordan Tappero, the CDC medical epidemiologist who is heading the
investigation was quoted as saying, "A lot of technology has gone into
building these new surveillance systems, and we've got our state and local
health departments thinking more about these emerging threats and about
how people in this mobile society might in some way be linked."

ALF-RELEASED MINK BITES 8 YEAR OLD GIRL
July 24 /98
AMP News
An eight year old girl was bitten by a mink that had been released from
the laboratories of United Vaccines near Madison Wisconsin by members of
the Animal Liberation Front over the Independence Day weekend.
Molly Wright was eating breakfast on her patio with her mother when the
mink jumped up and bit her. Fortunately, rabies tests came back negative
and the girl will not have to endure rabies shots.
Her mother told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "I'm sorry Molly got
bitten and I'm glad it wasn't worse. But on the other hand, when we found
out more about this group (ALF), the more upset I got because it was just
totally responsible actions... Nothing good came out of this."
In a perverse twist of logic, ALF press officer Katie Fedor put the blame
for the girl's injury on United Vaccines. "United Vaccines is wholly
responsible for that incident. If United Vaccines hadn't existed, this
wouldn't have happened," she said.
Of the 161 minks released in the break-in, about 100 have been recovered,
as have 9 of 10 ferrets also released in the raid. About 15 minks were hit
by cars and killed.

UTAH ANIMAL RIGHTS ARSON TASK FORCE DISBANDS
July 24 /98
AMP News
The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that an elite task force of local,
county, and federal arson investigators that helped crack a rash of arson
attacks by animal rights activists in the Salt Lake City area is
disbanding.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms recently pulled its last agent
from the Interagency Fire Investigation Unit, citing personnel constraints
and the need to focus on the 2002 Olympics. Other agencies followed, in
what one participant described as a domino effect. The task force will
officially close August 10.
"It was working really goodQeverybody that was involved can't believe it
is going by the wayside because of manpower restraints," said Dennis
Barker, a county fire captain who served as task force commander. "It is
hurting all of us. None of us is happy about it."
The task force was responsible for securing the arrests and convictions of
several "straight-edge" animal rights activists who set fire to a leather
store, mink farm and a McDonald's restaurant.

ACTRESS BETTY WHITE CONTINUES TO DISTANCE HERSELF FROM AR
July 25 /98
AMP News
Actress and animal lover Betty White has told Modern Maturity magazine in
no uncertain terms that she is not an animal rights activist. Here's the
text of the relevant portion of her interview which appears in the
July-August 1998 edition:
MM: You support animal charities and are active in animal rightsQ
WHITE: Not animal rightsQno, no, no. I correct people all the time. Animal
welfare and well-being.
MM: What's the difference?
WHITE: Animal rightists are the demonstrators. I work for a healthier
tomorrow for animals.
MM:     So you don't agree with the extremists or their methods?
WHITE: Of course I don't. I'd just as soon not get into that because they
have a whole following. I think they do more harm than good. They polarize
a lot of people into saying "Oh, those crazy animal people" and paint us
all with the same brush.

CONFLICTING AIMS LEAVE BAN ON HUMAN CLONING IN LIMBO
July 26 /98
Washington Post
Caroline Daniel
A08
Despite widespread concerns about the prospect of human cloning, if
scientists wanted to try to clone a person today, according to this story,
there arguably would be nothing to stop them.
Several anti-cloning bills have been introduced in the U.S. Congress, but
none has passed. And legal experts question the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration's assertion that it has the authority to regulate human
cloning, noting that the agency has not invoked that authority for other,
similarly novel fertility treatments.
John Freeman of Fish and Richardson, a Boston law firm that specializes in
intellectual property was quoted as saying, "There are serious questions
about whether the FDA can make its claim to be able to regulate cloning
consistent with its [lack of] regulation of other reproductive
techniques."
The story adds that the possibility that someone could try to clone a
human, and could succeed, became more likely last week when scientists in
Hawaii announced that they had developed a new technique that had enabled
them to clone dozens of adult laboratory mice. It was the first confirmed
cloning of an adult mammal since Dolly the sheep was born in Scotland last
year.
The story adds that seven different legislative proposals emerged in the
wake of the previous news. The Human Cloning Prohibition Act, introduced
Feb. 3 and sponsored by Sens. Lott, Christopher S. Bond (R-Mo.) and Bill
Frist (R-Tenn.), took the lead, with provisions that would outlaw the
cloning of both embryos and adults. The bill was defeated.
Meanwhile, Democrats offered a rival bill sponsored by Sens. Dianne
Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.). This sought to ban
the cloning of people, but not human embryos for research purposes. The
bill was referred to the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, where
it sits in quiet obscurity.
Carl B. Feldbaum, president of the Biotechnology Industry Association, was
quoted as saying, "We have not seen any indication of a bill. No new
legislative draft is being circulated. Unless one is hastily put out at
the last moment, we do not expect to see any legislative activity this
session."
Stepping into that legislative void, the FDA announced in February that
anyone wanting to clone a person would have to apply for permission from
that agency. But critics have questioned the legal basis of that claim.

HOT SUMMER HITS BIRD BUSINESS
July 25 /87
Sun Herald
AP
STARKVILLE -- Heat and humidity, some of broilers' worst enemies, have,
according to this story, been harsh this summer causing Mississippi
poultry industries to suffer significant bird losses.
Mike McAlpin, president of the Mississippi Poultry Association was quoted
as saying, "The loss of birds has not been catastrophic this summer. But
they have been considerably higher than last summer."
McAlpin added that heat and humidity affect bird weight and eating habits
and that birds do not eat as well during high temperatures, causing them
to gain weight slower.
Tom Smith, poultry specialist at Mississippi State University's Extension
Service was cited as saying that additional losses result when the birds
are transported from the chicken houses to trucks where there is only air
circulation.
Jack Rogers, director of corporate services with B.C. Rogers Poultry,
Inc., of Scott County was cited as saying that  the heat this summer has
made the company lose nearly 236,000 chickens. He said, according to this
story, that  other companies in the area had proportionately similar
losses. He added that the  company's growers are using several techniques
and types of equipment to minimize the heat stress to the chickens.
"Chickens are fed at night to avoid the heat of the day," Rogers said.
"Growers also keep the birds supplied with cool fresh water with potassium
and electrolyte supplements to keep them cooler."

MONKS OPPOSE HOG FARM EXPANSION
July 25 /98
Los Angeles Times
AP
PEOSTA, Iowa -- Monks at the New Melleray Abbey, according to this story,
share a worry common in hog country: They are afraid that a new farm
expansion will make their monastery smell to high heaven.
Father Brendan Freeman, the abbot for the New Melleray Abbey near Dubuque
was quoted as saying, "People come from all over the United States for
quiet, prayer and reflection. We feel that's threatened. I think this is a
good cause to stand up for."
Joe Fitzgerald, the monastery's farm manager was quoted as saying, "You
put a million gallons of hog manure together, it's not going to smell like
fruit salad."

ASTRONAUTS SEEK HUMANE RETIREMENT FOR CHIMPS
July 25 /98
Electronic Telegraph
Hugo Gurdon
Eleven retired or current American astronauts are campaigning for a
humane, research-free retirement for 33 former colleagues and their
offspring - all of them chimpanzees.
Buzz Aldrin, who walked on the Moon with Neil Armstrong, James Lovell,
commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, was quoted as saying, "They
and their descendants have served us in so many ways, initially as
substitute humans in space research. Now is the time to repay this debt by
giving these veterans the peaceful and permanent retirement they deserve."
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has invited bids to get
rid of the chimp colony, instead of leasing the chimps to research
scientists, as it has done in the past.
But members of Congress, the story adds, and now the 11 astronauts, are
concerned that the apes will go to the Coulston Foundation, a laboratory
which has been using them since 1993 and which was charged in March with
24 violations of animal welfare law.
The astronauts are backing a demand by the Centre for Captive Chimpanzee
Care and the Doris Day Animal League that the chimps be allowed to retire
"peacefully, humanely and permanently".

KIM BASINGER: `LET MY ELEPHANTS GO!'
Aug. 8 /98
Business Week
Tammy Reiss
Actress Kim Basinger, a spokeswoman for the Performing Animal Welfare
Society (PAWS) is, according to this story, campaigning to keep circuses--
like Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey--from using elephants, which it
claims are subject to abuse. She was quoted as telling Business Week,
``It's mind-boggling and scary to think what human beings are capable of
doing with animals for a profit. We don't need elephants in circuses. We
don't need any animals in circuses, and we don't need to call this
entertainment.''
Barbara Pflughaupt, spokeswoman for Feld (owners of Ringling Bros., Branum
and Bailey) was cited as saying, a circus isn't a circus without
elephants, says, a privately held business with estimated 1997 revenues of
$550 millionQand 40 elephants. ``Asian elephants are a part of us and of
what we are. It would be counterproductive to do anything other than treat
them well.''

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