AnimalNet Aug. 17/06
Breaks in
hibernation help fight bugs
Anthrax
outbreak in southeast South Dakota
No new
anthrax deaths, CFIA says
Crab feast
called cruel to animals: Environmental group protests charity event
International
Food Law Distance Education Certificate Program
Rapid Alert
System for Food and Feed (RASFF)
Draft
guidance for industry; animal drug user fees: fees exceed costs waivers and
reductions; availability
how to subscribe
Breaks
in hibernation help fight bugs
16.aug.06
The Penn State Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics
A habit in some animals to periodically wake up while hibernating may be an
evolutionary mechanism to fight bacterial infection, according to researchers at
Penn State. The finding could offer an insight into the spread and emergence of
infectious disease in wildlife, and has potential implications for human health.
Many warm-blooded animals slip into an inert sleep-like state as part of a
unique strategy to get past harsh winters when food supplies are low and the
need for energy to stay warm is high. The immune system is in sleep mode as
well.
"The production of antibodies, and white blood cells is stopped. Basically
all cell reproduction shuts off," says Angela Luis, a doctoral candidate in
ecology at Penn State's Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics.
However, animals regularly snap out of their torpor, and become fully active.
But such sudden breaks from slumber eat into much of the animal's stored energy
reserves, and it is not fully clear why the animals need to wake up, and how
often
Some scientists think the answer lies in bacterial infections that could run
rampant in the face of an immune system that is essentially asleep.
"Animals cannot tell when they need to wake up, or if they are
infected," says Luis. If the animals hibernate for long they risk serious
infection, she says, while waking up frequently wastes precious energy, and
could prove fatal as well.
In other words, animals with an optimal time of torpor will win out over others,
says Luis, who presented her findings at the 91st annual meeting of the
Ecological Society of America.
Luis and her colleagues used a simple mathematical model that mimicked the
growth of bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella in European ground squirrels,
and how it affected their torpor patterns in relation to temperature.
Microbial growth depends on temperature. Most bacteria grow faster when it is
warm and much slower when it is cold. For animals exposed to Salmonella, which
multiplies rapidly in warm temperature, a regular break in hibernation would be
an important adaptation to combat the germs, when experiencing a warmer winter.
However, Salmonella doesn't thrive at very low temperatures, so when animals
experience a particularly cold winter, these breaks wouldn't be crucial.
But if the animals were exposed to certain pathogens that thrive at low
temperatures, like some E. coli, the animals would still have to regularly break
their hibernation to ensure protection at all temperatures, Luis explains.
"Our model, which is confirmed by field data, shows that torpor patterns
generally seen in some hibernating animals may be an evolutionary adaptation to
help protect them from bacteria that grow well in low temperatures," says
Luis.
The researchers suggest that an understanding of how pathogens interact with
their hibernating hosts could provide valuable insight into the spread and
emergence of zoonotic diseases.
Anthrax
outbreak in southeast South Dakota
16.aug.06
KTIV.com (IA)
http://www.ktiv.com/News/index.php?ID=3408
There's a deadly outbreak of anthrax in southeast South Dakota. The state
veterinarian is urging livestock owners to take steps to protect their herds.
The story says that cattle in South Dakota died after they ingested naturally-occuring
anthrax spores while they were grazing.
State veterinarian Sam Holland was cited as saying he believes runoff from
recent rainfall may have exposed the spores, which can survive in soil for a
long time. The outbreak of anthrax that killed three cows is confirmed in a herd
of about 50 cattle near of Lennox, South Dakota...southwest of Sioux Falls. The
surviving animals are quarantined in an effort to prevent any spread of the
disease.
No
new anthrax deaths, CFIA says
16.aug.06
CBC.ca News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2006/08/16/anthrax-update.html
The anthrax outbreak in Saskatchewan that's being called the worst in decades
may be diminishing.
For the first time in weeks, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is reporting no
additional animals have died of the disease in Saskatchewan.
"The rate has certainly slowed down," CFIA spokesman Greg Douglas said
Wednesday. "It seems a lot of the vaccination efforts have paid off."
According to the CFIA's Wednesday update, 649 Saskatchewan farm animals have
died, most of them horses and cattle. Another 134 animals have died in Manitoba.
It's the worst outbreak since the 1950s, when the federal agency began
collecting anthrax statistics.
Crab
feast called cruel to animals: Environmental group protests charity event
17.aug.06
The Vancouver Province
David Carrigg
The SPCA is, according to this story, in hot water over plans to make money from
a crab boil.
Paul Watson, Greenpeace co-founder and founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation
Society, was quoted as saying, "How incredibly bizarre. Here we have an
organization supposedly dedicated to preventing cruelty actually inflicting
cruelty to an animal to raise money to supposedly prevent cruelty to
animals."
The live-crab boil is slated for Aug. 27 at Mariners' Park in Prince Rupert,
with the crabs to be provided by the Crabbers Association of Prince Rupert.
For $10, a live crab will be tossed in boiling water and the purchaser can then
take it home to eat.
Money raised will go to the B.C. SPCA's Prince Rupert branch.
International
Food Law Distance Education Certificate Program
01.aug.06
Michigan State University
http://vu.msu.edu/preview/anr-ifl/
Our International Food Law Distance Education Certificate Program received the
2003 Excellence Award in College and University Distance Education from the
American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC). In the six years since the
inception of our first course, we have had over 600 students from 58 countries
participate in our courses.
Eight courses are available completely over the Internet fall semester 2006,
which
begins August 28, 2006, and spring semester, which begins January 8, 2007:
International Food Laws and Regulations (overview course)
United States Food Regulation
European Union Food Regulation
Latin American Food Regulation
Canadian Food Regulation
Middle East Food Regulation (planning for future development)
Asian Food Regulation (planning for future development)
Codex Alimentarius (The Food Code)
IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention)
OIE (World Organization for Animal Health)
( Minimum 25 students required per course )
Those interested in issues involving the SPS and TBT Agreements may want to
consider the courses on Codex Alimentarius, the OIE (animals) and IPPC (plants).
The courses are taught by an international network of food science, academic,
regulatory and legal professionals who understand the legal complexities of the
food laws and how they impact the flow of food, plants, animals and agricultural
products across national boundaries.
These courses enable people around the world who have a computer with an
Internet connection to access one of eight international food regulation courses
through their computers at home or work.
An International Food Law Distance Education Certificate will be issued upon the
successful completion of any four (4) courses through our International Food Law
Distance Education Program; however, you are welcome to take only one course if
you prefer.
Tuition for fall semester 2006 through the Lifelong Education Program is (US)
$1,037.25/per course [3-credit hours per course @ (US) $345.75/credit hour].
Tuition statements are available in August over the Internet through STUINFO
https://ntweb1.ais.msu.edu/StuInfo/ and payment arrangements are outlined at:
http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/eBill.htm#Pay5 "Payment Questions".
Through the Lifelong Education program, transcript submission is not required.
Lifelong Education Program: http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROInfo/EnrReg/LifelongEducation.asp.
Fall semester courses will begin August 28, 2006, and run 12-14 weeks. (Spring
semester courses begin January 8, 2007. Courses are not offered summer
semester.) Students should plan on spending an average of 9 to 12 hours per week
for reading and course work. The courses are held completely over the Internet
and no additional books or programs are required.
The preview web site for the International Food Laws Certificate Program is:
http://vu.msu.edu/preview/anr-ifl/ and a copy of the Program Brochure, FAQ
sheet, and Lifelong Education Program Application are available over the
Internet. You may fax the completed Application to our office at (517) 432-1492.
Previously enrolled MSU students may enroll online at: https://webenroll.msu.edu/
Rapid
Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)
17.aug.06
European Commission - Press Release
Weekly Overview - Week 32 is available at http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/rapidalert/index_en.htm
Draft
guidance for industry; animal drug user fees: fees exceed costs waivers and
reductions; availability
17.aug.06
[Federal Register: (Volume 71, Number 159)]
[Page 47502-47503]
[DOCID:fr17au06-57]
[Docket No. 2006D-0301]
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the
availability of the draft guidance for industry (183) entitled
``Animal Drug User Fees: Fees Exceed Costs Waivers and Reductions.''
The draft guidance explains the procedures FDA expects to use to
evaluate waiver requests under the fees exceed costs waiver provision
of the Animal Drug User Fee Act of 2003.
DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the draft guidance by
October 31, 2006 to ensure their adequate consideration in preparation
of the final document. General comments on agency guidance documents
are welcome at any time.
ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of the draft
guidance document to the Communications Staff (HFV-12), Center for
Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration, 7519 Standish Pl.,
Rockville, MD 20855. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist
that office in processing your requests. Submit written comments on the
draft guidance document to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-
305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061,
Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to http:///www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments.
See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for
electronic access to the draft guidance document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Newkirk, Center for Veterinary Medicine
(HFV-100), Food and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Pl., Rockville, MD 20855,
301-827-6967, e-mail: david.newkirk@fda.hhs.gov.
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