ADDS-Net:  Animal Disease & Surveillance Network

 

VBZD Summary:

 

Hantavirus:

Last week, an adult male from southern Arizona was diagnosed by a medical examiner with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).  IgM  serology at the CDC for the patient was positive for hantavirus, with a very high titer.   This case fulfills the probable case definition of HPS and is the first HPS case in Arizona for 2007.  In 2006, 13 cases of hantavirus were identified, with 9 confirmed and 4 probable.  Five of the 13 cases were fatal. 

 

West Nile virus:

As of April 1st, the Arizona State Health Laboratory and the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AzVDL) are accepting submissions for West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance.   Equine veterinarians are encouraged to submit specimens with detailed information on location of the neurologic horse to AzVDL for WNV surveillance, which is funded by a CDC grant.   Remember to register for our annual VBZD conference, which is being held on May 1st & 2nd in Mesa:  http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/vector/index.htm

 

Recall of Pet Treats due to Salmonella Contamination:

The FDA has posted a press release from T.W. Enterprises on the company's recall of pet treats due to Salmonella contamination.  For more information:  www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/tw06_05.html

 

Rabies:

The updated rabies table is attached.

Year to date, April 2, 2007, Arizona State Health Laboratory has confirmed rabies infection in 14 animals: 2 bats, 4 skunks, 7 foxes, and 1 bobcat.  The fox epizootic in Blue Range Primitive Area in Greenlee County still appears active, as a rabid bobcat was reported on March 23rd from the confluence of Blue River and K.P. Creek.  In Gila County, a rabid fox attacked a wildlife biologist of Arizona Game & Fish Department, who was in a remote area east of Payson.  He is undergoing rabies PEP currently.

 

 

 

Elisabeth Lawaczeck, DVM

State Public Health Veterinarian

Office of Infectious Diseases Services

Arizona Department of Health Services

602-364-4562