We hope this newsletter finds you enjoying
spring weather and all the things that come with it. I am
afraid that spring this year will bring with it mosquito-associated
diseases including West Nile Virus infection of birds, horses,
people and perhaps other animals. With the large number of
horses that have been vaccinated in the state for WNV, I suspect
and am hopeful that the number of equine cases will be less
than we saw in 2002 but, as recommended and endorsed by veterinarians,
epidemiologists, the Board of Animal Health and others, vaccination
of horses for WNV is strongly suggested.
With the presence of Exotic Newcastle Disease in the southwest
U.S. and the mobility of people and birds at this time, it
is imperative that we be on the alert for the occurrence of
this devastating disease of essentially all avian species
in our state. As veterinarians you are asked to “keep
your ear to the ground” for the occurrence of short
term loss of large numbers of birds among a group or loss
of birds with little or no clinical signs. Some birds may
have clinical signs and marked post mortem lesions; however,
the disease is so devastating and fulminating that birds may
die rapidly without developing signs or lesions. If END enters
our state, the damage from such introduction will be proportional
to the time it takes to diagnose it, locate it, quarantine
the area and limit its spread. If the disease is here for
a long time before it is recognized, losses and cost of its
eradication will be markedly increased
We are here to assist you with your diagnostic needs; we
hope you will not hesitate to tell us if we should be doing
something we aren’t or should not be doing something
we are. |
