24 April 2012
Minnesota
Cryptosporidiosis
outbreak from petting zoo in Goodhue County
- Two people were diagnosed
with cryptosporidiosis after attending a one-day petting zoo and photo shoot at
the Humane Society of Goodhue County.
Fifteen additional people identified with symptoms consistent with
cryptosporidiosis.
- Cryptosporidiosis causes
watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, anorexia and low-grade fever.
- Cryptosporidiosis can be
associated with contact with ruminants; the petting zoo had a calf, lamb and
goat.
Related links:
Redwing Republican Eagle article
Minnesota Department of Health Outbreak News
CDC information on cryptosporidium
National
Bald eagles die from algae-borne neurotoxin linked to
invasive hydrilla
- At least eight bald eagles
deaths have been confirmed during the winter and early spring at Thurmond Lake
in Georgia.
- The cause of death in at
least some of the birds was avian vacuolar myelinopathy, a disease caused by a
neurotoxin produced by algae growing on an invasive weed (hydrilla)
- Eagles are exposed to the
neurotoxin through preying on coots, small water birds that feed on the
hydrilla.
- Researchers are considering
methods of biological control of the invasive hydrilla, including the
introduction of grass-eating carp.
Related links:
University of Georgia research on Thurmond Lake eagle mortality
National Wildlife Health Center information on avian vacuolar myelinopathy
International
Researchers create fish that show health effects of
water pollution
- A team from the University of
Exeter has created a zebrafish that glows fluorescent green when exposed to
environmental chemicals such as estrogenic endocrine-disrupters.
- The indicator shows location
of impact in fish’s body as well as exposure
- Environmental
endocrine-disrupters have been linked to reproductive problems in wildlife and
humans.
Related links:
University of Exeter news
Environmental Health Perspectives paper
Recent news on the effects of
water pollution
Gulf seafood deformities raise questions among scientists and fisherman (Huffington Post)
Gulf seafood safe despite oil spill concerns, FDA says (NY Daily News)
Higher concentrations of heavy metals found in post-oil spill oysters from the Gulf of Mexico, experts say (Science Daily)
Editor's note: The correct link for yesterday's OIE announcement is:
OIE Announcement on new global alliance
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Julia B. Ponder, DVM
St. Paul, MN 55108
