Latest news with #NationalVeterinaryServicesLaboratory
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Asian longhorned tick threatens U.S. livestock and health
The National Veterinary Services Laboratory identified a dangerous tick species in Northeast Oklahoma in early June. The same species was also identified for the first time in St. Louis County in late February. The species in question is the Asian Longhorned Tick. See the interactive map from the USDA here The tick poses a risk to people, pets, and livestock. It's especially harmful to livestock and has been known to break out into an infestation on one animal, leading to great stress and reducing growth and production. A severe infestation on one animal can even cause the animal to die from blood loss. Yikes! Aside from its infestation capabilities, the tick also carries disease. Livestock, in particular, is at risk of catching bovine theileriosis from a longhorned tick. Bovine theileriosis is a blood-borne parasite that, when left untreated, can cause an animal to die. Outside of the US, the tick has been linked to carrying human diseases such as Japanese Spotted Fever. However, the longhorned ticks found in the US have not been found to transmit human pathogens such as Lyme disease. That's good news for now! It's been found in a lab that this tick species could become a carrier for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever This species of tick is unique in that the females can reproduce without a male. This is why they are efficient at spreading once introduced into a new geographic region. The tick was first identified in the US in 2017 and has since spread to 21 eastern states. The species was first found in Missouri in 2021. It's been identified in both the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas, and traces of the tick have been found in Greene County. A live specimen, however, hasn't been confirmed yet in Springfield. The tick has also been identified in Benton, Washington, Boone, Searcy, and Independence counties in Northern Arkansas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu has caused growing problems around US. Here's latest on disease in MD, elsewhere
Since arriving on a Texas dairy farm nearly a year ago, bird flu has caused havoc in the farming industry, leading to millions of dead birds and thousands of sick cows. More than 65 people have also been infected, including one Louisiana resident who died. And America is facing unprecedented egg shortages and skyrocketing grocery prices, as worries about the risks to people mount. Bird flu, also known as H5N1, is a variant of the influenza virus that sickens tens of millions of people every winter. But because it has not previously infected humans, we have not built up immunity against it, so it is believed to be more dangerous. In other parts of the world, where it has been circulating since 1997, bird flu has killed roughly half the people known to be infected, though it's possible that more contracted the virus and didn't know it. Here's a summary of what's currently known about bird flu in Maryland and elsewhere, and what you can do about it now. In total, there are now nine commercial operations in the Delmarva region confirmed to have HPAI, including two premises in Kent County, Delaware, and one in Accomack County, Virginia. State officials have quarantined all affected premises, and birds on the properties are being or have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from affected flocks will not enter the food system. Confirmation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory is pending, with final results anticipated in the coming days. Maryland's juvenile justice system: Juvenile justice in Maryland: What's on table as lawmakers debate reforms now Bird flu is a variation of the influenza virus that humans alive today have not been exposed to before and therefore have not built up immunity against. The flu virus mutates constantly, which is why people need flu shots every year and some years the shots are more effective than others. Technically called "highly pathogenic avian influenza," bird flu is believed to be extremely dangerous to people because of its novelty and the death rate in other countries in previous years. So far, it has been difficult for people to catch H5N1, but experts are worried that with a few simple mutations, it will become easier for humans to get it and pass it around, potentially causing a pandemic, like COVID-19. In people, mild cases of bird flu cause symptoms similar to those of the seasonal flu, such as fever, runny nose, body aches and fatigue, as well as conjunctivitis ‒ a type of eye infection. Severe cases of bird flu could occur more often, especially as the virus continues to spread and evolve. The Louisiana resident who died of the infection was 65 years old and had other complicating health conditions, while the sickened farmworkers were younger, had mild symptoms and recovered. It may be then, that older people with health issues will be at higher risk from bird flu ‒ but that's not known for certain because the virus can change. In the 1918 flu outbreak, which killed as many as 50 million people worldwide, it was young adults who were most likely to die because older people were exposed to related flu viruses earlier in their lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still considers the general population at "low" risk for catching bird flu. Workers who interact with sick animals remain at highest risk and should wear protective gear at all times when around the animals, the CDC says. Chesapeake Channa a Maryland predator: 'Predatory, opportunistic' Chesapeake Channa depleting Maryland fish populations The general public should avoid touching wild birds and should consider keeping cats indoors, according to the American Veterinary Association. Eggs and chicken meat are considered safe to eat, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture regularly checks farms for bird flu and chickens are put to death if the virus is detected on a farm. Beef is also considered safe if cooked to proper temperatures and the commercial milk supply is tested regularly to confirm it is safe, the USDA says. Federal health officials recommend avoiding raw milk, which has been shown in some cases to contain the virus, though no one has yet been confirmed to have gotten sick by drinking unpasteurized milk. The farmworkers identified with bird flu were treated with Tamiflu, used to treat the seasonal flu, which seemed to help, suggesting that it can be useful against bird flu. The U.S. government has also prepared doses of vaccine that it believes will protect against this flu strain, though it has not used them yet because the cases were mild and there was no evidence of person-to-person transmission. It is also unclear whether the virus will mutate so much by the time it becomes a larger threat to people that the vaccine and treatment will no longer be effective. Mostafa Ghanem, Assistant Professor for the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, shared his insight on the current bird flu outbreak with DelmarvaNow. Ghanem specializes in the molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases. HPAI spreads primarily through direct contact with infected birds or their secretions, such as nasal discharge or feces. It can also spread indirectly through contaminated equipment, clothing, footwear or vehicles, Ghanem said. "In poultry, signs of HPAI can include sudden death, lack of energy or appetite, decreased egg production, sharp decrease in water and feed consumption, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, swelling of the head, comb, wattles, or legs, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, and lack of coordination," Ghanem said. "Infected birds may also exhibit diarrhea or neurological signs such as tremors." Wild birds, particularly waterfowl such as ducks and geese, are natural carriers of the virus and can introduce it to domestic flocks. The virus can also be transmitted through contaminated feed, water or surfaces, he added. "It's fascinating how these tiny organisms like viruses can affect our lives," said Ghanem, who is enthralled by the fast evolution of the virus. "What also fascinates me is how the human population can, by following science-based information and protocols, keep our livelihoods safe." Decatur's Chandler a two-sport standout: Stephen Decatur 2-sport star Davin Chandler looks to close high school career on high note In order to protect your flock, Ghanem recommends practicing the following strict biosecurity measures: Limit access to your birds and keep them away from wild birds. Use dedicated clothing and footwear when working with your flock. Clean and disinfect equipment, tools, and vehicles regularly. Avoid sharing equipment with other poultry owners. Prevent contact between your birds and wild waterfowl or their droppings. To protect yourself, he advises: Avoid handling sick or dead birds without proper protective gear, such as gloves and masks. Wash your hands thoroughly after any contact with birds or their environment. To report a possible case of HPAI in a commercial or backyard flock, call the Maryland Department of Agriculture at 410-841-5810. Commercial chicken growers and backyard flock owners can email questions about the outbreak to To report a sick wild bird in Maryland, call the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Services hotline at (877) 463-6497 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's known on bird flu nearly year into outbreak, in MD, across US
