Aedes albopictus mosquito, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito- Courtesy CDC.
National 08/09/13 webmd.com: by Alan Mozes – (T)hough a relative newcomer to the American scene, experts now warn that (the Asian Tiger Mosquito) is starting to create a fearsome buzz, with the potential to cause havoc across the United States. So far, however, it hasn’t led to widespread disease in this country. “What we have here is an invasive daytime-feeding, disease-carrying mosquito that, since it first arrived on the East Coast in the 1980s, has been pretty aggressive in mowing down its natural competitors,” said Gabe Hamer, a clinical assistant professor in the department of entomology at Texas A&M University. “And now it’s really starting to move through the country in full force.” “That makes it, at the very least, a nuisance and an annoyance,” Hamer explained. “And at worst, a serious vector for major pathogens.”
On its Asian home turf, the mosquito is a well-known carrier of dengue fever, with West Nile fever, yellow fever, and encephalitis among the other debilitating illnesses for which it has been pegged as a transmitter. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the mosquito has so far been identified as a host for five different viruses in the United States. Two of those — encephalomyelitis and Cache Valley — can infect humans, while the others are a threat to dogs, cats, birds and other animals.
Dr. Gabe Hamer.
But U.S. experts are perhaps most alarmed that this mosquito potentially could become a prime North American vector for a particularly nasty joint and muscle pain illness for which there is neither a vaccine nor treatment: the Chikungunya virus. Such concerns have escalated in light of recent research, such as that funded by the U.S. National Institute for Food and Agriculture, and reported in the January issue of PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, which cautions that an imminent mosquito-driven American outbreak of the Chikungunya virus is a very real threat.
“The ongoing invasion of the Asian tiger mosquito in the U.S.A. represents an important risk,” agreed Diego Ruiz-Moreno, a postdoctoral associate in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University, who led the recent study. “Mainly because of the potential for disease to spread.” Otherwise known as Aedes albopictus, the CDC notes that the Asian tiger mosquito was first spotted on the U.S. mainland in 1985.
Dr. Diego Ruiz-Moreno
Since that initial Houston sighting, it has spread across 26 states, moving as far north as Chicago, as far east as Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as far west as Nebraska, and across a broad swath of the South, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. And now, Hamer said, California has been added to the list. – For complete article see http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20130809/asian-tiger-mosquito-could-spread-us-disease?page=2
Bear Attack:
New Mexico 08/12/13 Bernalillo County: State game officers are hunting for a bear that broke into a home in the Albuquerque foothills early Friday and bit the owner. A spokesperson said they’re also looking for an individual who has been sabotaging their efforts to trap the bear by meddling with the trap and the trap site. – See http://www.newschannel10.com/story/23116096/nm-officials-seek-saboteur-in-bear-attack-case
Lyme Disease:
Global 08/10/13 natureworldnews.com: by James A. Foley – A vaccine for Lyme disease has shown promise in clinical trials, producing substantial antibodies against the bacteria that causes the disease. Researchers at Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and at Baxter International Inc., a U.S.-based healthcare company, published the results of the first half of their clinical trial in May in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases. In the clinical trial administered by Baxter International, the vaccine was shown to be effective against Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Three hundred people living in Austria and Germany were given three primary immunizations and one booster immunization in a range of doses.
Dr. Benjamin Luft
The researchers report that in all administered doses of the vaccine, the patients showed an immune response to all species of Borrelia. “The results of the clinical trial conducted by Baxter are promising because the vaccine generated a potent human immune reaction, covered the complete range of Borrelia active in the entire Northern hemisphere, and produced no major side effects,” said study co-author Dr. Benjamin Luft of Stony Brook University School of Medicine. – For complete article see http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/3431/20130810/lyme-disease-vaccine-shows-promise-clinical-trials.htm
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) & West Nile Virus (WNV):
Arizona 08/12/13 Maricopa County: Family members have confirmed that a 53-year-old Scottsdale male has been hospitalized with WNV. The father of two is unable to move, talk, or eat. – See http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_northeast_valley/scottsdale/West-Nile-Virus-leaves-Valley-man-Rory-Stevenson-in-coma
California 08/12/13 Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District: Officials have confirmed that a sentinel chicken placed near Gage Lane in Novato has tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.marinij.com/fairfax/ci_23847275/west-nile-virus-detected-novato-horse-owners-warned
Colorado 08/09/13 coloradoan.com: by Robert Allen – A “rapid increase” this week in reported human cases of WNV in Larimer County has health officials advising people to beware of mosquitoes carrying the potentially devastating disease, according to Larimer County health department. Twelve residents have been infected, and four of them are showing symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis and paralysis. Three people in Fort Collins and one in Loveland are showing the severe symptoms, according to the health department. – For complete article and precautions see http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130809/NEWS01/308090024/West-Nile-virus-escalating-rapidly-12-human-infections-Larimer-County
Idaho 08/12/13 Southwest District Health: Officials have confirmed that mosquito pools have tested positive with WNV in Adams County. The traps were placed in both the Council and Indian Valley areas. Adams County joins Ada, Canyon, Gem, Gooding, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, Valley, and Washington counties in Idaho with mosquito pools testing positive with WNV, as well as Malheur County in Oregon. Payette County has had the only two reported human cases of WNV in the state to date. – See http://www.kivitv.com/news/Mosquitoes-in-Adams-County-test-positive-for-West-Nile-Virus-219279791.html
Indiana 08/13/13 IN State Department of Health: There has been one human case of WNV in Ripley County and one equine case in Adams County. Counties with WNV-infected mosquitoes include: Adams, Allen, Carroll, Clinton, Daviess, Delaware, DeKalb, Grant, Hamilton, Jay, Jefferson, Knox, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, Marion, Marshall, Martin, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Noble, Ohio, Parke, Steuben, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Starke, St. Joseph, Vanderburgh, Vigo, White and Whitley. – See http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.aspx?view=EventDetails&eventidn=119373&information_id=186576&type=&syndicate=syndicate
Louisiana 08/13/13 LA Department of Health & Hospitals: There are seven new human cases of WNV in the state bringing the total to eight so far this year. The seven new cases include two new neuro-invasive disease cases , with one case each reported from Calcasieu and Ouachita parishes. There are four West Nile fever cases, with one case each reported from Ascension and St. Tammany parishes and two cases from Lafayette parish. In addition, there was one asymptomatic case reported, from St. Tammany Parish. One human case from St. Tammany Parish had been reported earlier. – See http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/assets/docs/SurveillanceReports/wnv/weekly2013/WNV_1331.pdf
Maine 08/13/13 York County: State health officials have confirmed that mosquitoes trapped in Alfred on July 16th have tested positive for EEE. – See http://www.pressherald.com/news/dispatches_2013-08-13.html
Massachusetts 08/13/13 Essex County: State health officials have confirmed that mosquitoes trapped in the northern part of Newburyport on Plum Island near the salt marshes by Old Point Road have tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x389853713/West-Nile-virus-found-on-PI
Massachusetts 08/12/13 Essex County: The town of Saugus in coordination with the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control will be target spraying in the Riverside Cemetery area due to a positive WNV mosquito sample. – See http://www.wickedlocal.com/saugus/news/x84137347/Mosquito-tests-positive-for-West-Nile-Virus-in-Saugus-target-spraying-set-for-Aug-14
Massachusetts 08/09/13 Essex County: Public health officials have confirmed Friday that a batch of mosquitoes trapped in Marblehead tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.wickedlocal.com/marblehead/news/x1465129371/West-Nile-virus-confirmed-in-Marblehead-mosquito-sample
Massachusetts 08/09/13 Plymouth County: Local health officials confirmed Friday that mosquitoes trapped in Rockland have tested positive for both WNV and EEE. State officials have confirmed that EEE has now been detected in three locations statewide, and WNV in 80 locations statewide so far this year. – See http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x1905498734/EEE-found-in-Rockland-mosquitoes
Mississippi 08/12/13 MI State Department of Health: State officials have reported the second fatal human case of WNV, and four new human cases. The death occurred in Bolivar County on August 6th, and the new cases were reported in Forrest, Hinds, and Rankin counties. Human cases of WNV now total 12, including two deaths, so far this year. The first WNV-related fatality was reported in Montgomery County in July. – See http://themississippilink.com/2013/08/12/state-officials-report-second-west-nile-virus-death-of-2013/
Nebraska 08/09/13 NE Department of Health and Human Services: Health officials have confirmed that mosquito pools in Chase, Dawes, Dawson, Garden, Scottsbluff, Sheridan, and Webster counties have tested positive for WNV. This follows reported positive human cases in Scottsbluff & Douglas counties, and North Central, Central & Southwest Nebraska Public Health Districts. – See http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1992825.html
New Hampshire 08/13/13 Rockingham County: Town officials have confirmed that mosquitoes trapped in two pools in Stratham have tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130813/NEWS/130819930/-1/NEWSMAP
New Jersey 08/11/13 Morris County: Health officials have confirmed that mosquitoes trapped on August 1st in Donatoni Community Park on West Main Street in Rockaway Borough have tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2013/08/west_nile_virus_found_in_park_rockaway_borough_says.html
New York 08/12/13 Chautauqua County: Health officials have confirmed that pools of mosquitoes trapped in Jamestown Audubon have tested positive for both EEE and WNV. As a precaution, the Audubon is closing its trails during the dawn and dusk hours, opening only from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Additionally, the Audubon is requiring that patrons put on insect repellent and recommends that patrons wear long pants, shoes and socks, and a long sleeved shirt when hiking at the Audubon. It is the first time mosquitoes infected with EEE have been found in the county. The rare but often deadly disease in humans can be spread by mosquitoes. All five human cases of EEE reported in the state in the last 40 years have been fatal. – See http://www.goerie.com/article/20130812/NEWS02/308129912/Mosquitoes-infected-with-Eastern-Equine-Encephalitis-found-in-Chautauqua-County-NY and http://post-journal.com/page/content.detail/id/626617/Mosquitoes-Test-Positive-For-West-Nile.html?nav=5192
New York 08/09/13 Oneida County: Health officials confirmed Friday that a horse stabled on a farm in Vernon has tested positive for WNV. The horse seems to be recovering but is still displaying residual ataxis in the hind legs.- See http://www.wktv.com/news/local/West-Nile-Virus-confirmed-in-Vernon-house–219010721.html
Pennsylvania 08/09/13 Washington County: State officials have confirmed that mosquitoes trapped in Carroll Township have tested positive for WNV. The county is considered at low risk for the virus, according to Pennsylvania’s West Nile Virus Control Program, but it is one of 32 counties in the state where the virus has been detected. – See http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20130809/NEWS01/130809353/-1/news#.Ugcv3G3DK5c
South Dakota 08/11/13 SD Department of Health: Officials have announced that South Dakota has the highest number of human WNV cases, as well as the highest number of the more serious neuro-invasive cases, in the nation. Thirty-five human cases have been reported. In addition, 2 horses, 4 birds, and 192 mosquito pools have also tested positive for the virus. WNV has been detected in 30 of the state’s 66 counties. – See http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/node/1568687 and https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/14078164bd4a77c2
Texas 08/10/13 Howard County: Health officials have confirmed the third human case of WNV reported in Big Spring so far this year has been hospitalized. As of August 6th, there have been nine human cases of WNV reported in the state. – See http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_a372535a-0133-11e3-9130-0019bb2963f4.html
Vermont 08/10/13 Addison County: Health officials said Friday mosquitoes trapped in Bond Swamp in Whiting have tested positive for EEE. – See http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20130810/THISJUSTIN/708109912
Canada:
Ontario 08/12/13 Wellington County: Public health officials have confirmed that a mosquito pool located in Erin has tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/4028894-west-nile-virus-confirmed-in-guelph-area/
Ontario 08/12/13 Middlesex County: Health officials have issued a WNV Alert after finding what they believe is the first human case of the virus in the London vicinity. Three dead crows were found previously this year in London, Dorchester, and Parkhill, and an infected mosquito was trapped in London. – See http://www.theobserver.ca/2013/08/12/middlesex-london-health-unit-investigating-regions-first-possible-human-case-of-west-nile-virus
Ontario 08/12/13 Waterloo Region: Public health officials have confirmed that a pool of mosquitoes located in Cambridge has tested positive for WNV. – See http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4028785-west-nile-virus-in-region-public-health-authorities-warn/
Rabies:
Colorado 08/10/13 El Paso County: Health officials have confirmed a fox that attacked a man in southwest Colorado Springs a couple of miles from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on August 3rd has tested positive for rabies. Two weeks ago, another fox that was hit by a car a half mile away also tested positive for the virus. – See http://www.timesunion.com/news/science/article/Rabid-fox-attacks-man-in-SW-Colorado-Springs-4722990.php
Georgia 08/12/13 Chatham County: Health officials have confirmed a raccoon that fought with a vaccinated dog in the Fort argyle Road area has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.wsav.com/story/23110411/raccoon-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-chatham-county
Kentucky 08/09/13 Jefferson County: Health officials in Louisville have identified nine children who need treatment for potential exposure to rabies after a bat tested positive for the virus. It was reported some of the children carried the bat in a box, and others may have been playing with or near the bat. Anyone who may have been in contact with the bat should seek immediate medical advice. – See http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/90913d3c081e4a78a353d87b86337ad7/KY–Rabid-Bat
Virginia 08/12/13 Wythe County: A skunk that had confirmed contact with a dog in the Sage Road section of Rural Retreat has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.tricities.com/swvatoday/news/wytheville/article_e4a31238-0381-11e3-90ac-0019bb30f31a.html
West Virginia 08/12/13 WV Department of Health & Human Services: The state’s annual oral rabies vaccine program will begin around August 26th and continue through early- to mid-September. The vaccine bait packets will be hand distributed or air dropped in a target area that covers a wide corridor through the central part of the state, extending from the northern panhandle to the southern coalfields. Residents are asked to leave baits alone and to keep pets confined or on a leash during the baiting period and up to five days after baiting. This gives raccoons the opportunity to locate and eat the baits. In particular, dogs are attracted to the baits and will occasionally eat them. The baits are not harmful to pets. Do not try to take baits away from your pet, as you may get bitten. – See more at: http://www.fayettetribune.com/local/x738622706/Rabies-vaccine-to-be-dropped-in-coming-weeks#sthash.CsWf84OH.dpuf