Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, April 01, 2000, Image 44
A44-Lanc«ster Farming, Saturday, April 1, 2000 Information On The West Nile Virus Threat And Its Aftermath Anthony E. Castro, DVM,PhD Virologist (PADLS) The occurrence of West Nile virus (WNV) in birds, horses, and humans in the northeastern United States in 1999 was the first encounter of this arbovirus in the USA. Arboviruses are those viruses that are transmit ted by an insect vector from one species to another. The WNV is a typical arbovirus (flavivirus) which is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito vector from an ani mal which is viremic (ie. virus circulating in the blood stream) to a susceptible species. The strain of WNV presently in the USA is genetically related to the WNV strains found in the Middle East. It has been seen to be extremely lethal to crows which when infected, die in high numbers, thus crows provide a sentinel for the presence of the WNV in a vicinity. The virus also infects horses when bitten by mosquitoes carrying the virus, i In horses, the illness is usually expressed as neurologic signs (encephalitis) or ambulatory deficits. Transmission from animal to-animal, birds-to-horses or animal to human has not been known to occur. In horses, an “influenza-like” syndrome occurs with weakness and cir cling. Incoordination also fol lows, which may lead to eventu al death. Thus, all horses and also humans are considered “ter minal hosts.” Nevertheless, hors es usually have a low viremia BUY, SELL, TRADE OR RENT THROUGH THE CLASSIFIED ADS IN Lancaster Farming aiiiwn*'*™ mull a Corn planing Is dinning soon, we have excellent quality and quanitityayT seef corn this year. Seed corn has been our business for oMr 54 pars. • We have a laiAeUtftion Reasonably priced! . Z? many Wo es °f Gras &£* s - . , We alsolmve Oats, SoWtans, Twine & Chemicals IftU y HORST SEED AMP CHEMICALS Charles L. Horst Dennis S. Horst I Mile East of Marion Along Marion - New Franklin Rd (717) 978-3882 (717) 378-4600 which allows them to produce antibodies to the WNV. Such immune animals are not sources of virus and should not be eutha natized. In areas where the dis ease has been identified suscep tible horses should by kept indoors to avoid mosquito con tact. The WNV can be isolated in approved state and federal labo ratories. Usually, the virus can be obtained from cerebrospinal fluids or identified in tissues by molecular procedures (ie., reverse transcriptase poly merase chain reaction). Serum is used to detect specific anti bodies (IgM and IgG) to WNV 7 . Pools of trapped mosquitoes can be used to detect WNV by anti gen capture ELISAs. A passive surveillance pro gram can be instituted by ani mal owners by informing veteri nary personnel of neurologic ill ness in horses, excessive death of birds, specifically crows, and increases in the mosquito popu lations. In humans, public health departments should be informed of flu-like illnesses, skin rash, with neurologic symp toms and flaccid paralysis when they are seen as these can lead to death. Suspected human cases can be tested for their exposure to WNV by serology (serum antibodies). However, most human infections by WNV are usually clinically inappar ent. Vertical transmission of WNV occurs in mosquitoes (ie, Culex Agricultural • Commercial • Residential \\i' si ll .ill kinds of s|h ;i\ nuttri inls and Aedes genus), but has not yet been seen in the strain iso lated in the northeastern US. The viral RNA has been shown to exist in mosquitoes that have overwintered in New York City. Nonetheless, persistence of infectious WNV has not yet been proven to occur in the virus iso lated in the USA. Vector control is critical by mosquito abate ment programs and destruction of breeding areas for mosquito larvae. Precautions to follow include, the use of gloves and face pro tection when handling dead birds or horses. At present, the WNV has not been detected or has not occurred clinically in animals located in Pennsylvania. A surveillance program has been instituted by the Department of Agriculture to insure the rapid detection of WNV should it occur in the Commonwealth. "•/»/. /. little money buy* i lot of Action. USE CLASSIFIED ADS The Pennsylvania Feeder Calf Roundup Dr. John Comerford Penn State University Extension Beef Specialist Pennsylvania feeder calf pro ducers are at a disadvantage in the marketplace because of small herd sizes and variability of management and genetics. The roundup program began in 1993 as a means to make pro duction, health programs, and marketing more consistent among small herds. Calves are consigned to the program in the summer. Vaccinations for the respiratory complex, including pasturella, begin in late August on the farm. Booster shots are given 2 weeks later with the addition of deworming, ear tags, and option al implants. After another two weeks, the calves are transport ed to a weaning center, where they are weighed, comingled, graded by PDA, sorted into truckload lots for sale, and start ed on limited grain rations. Calves that are overweight, under weight, improperly cas trated, not graded Ml or LI, or have health problems are reject ed. Calves are offered for sale on a teleauction in late September or early October from a sale originating at Buckhannon, WV. Delivery from the weaning cen ter usually occurs 10-14 days after the sale, for a total wean ing period of 20-22 days. Consignors are paid based on the weight of the calves at deliv ery. Costs for consignors include Boosts Your Efficiency and Products with these innovative Products... The system grows chicks into FINISHED broilers efficiently. Start chicks with the feeder resting on the floor and the feed pan entirely filled The Pax QUICK-START™ pan provides easy access to plenty of fresh feed - with no accumulation of stale feed in the drop tube - attracting even the smallest chicks to begin feeding right away A .y WINCHED When the feeder is winched me feed level lube eotorrvettcely low e«s to your pre selected brushing level ON THE FLOOR With IN feeder resting on the floor the feed level tube is raised to present feed n the entire pen without over filling tike ether typical flood feeders Zeiset a— n 5 Equipment '■ 2187 North Penryn Rd., Manheim, PA 17545 Phone (717) 665-4056 Fax (717) 665-2240 the health program, feed, yardage at the weaning center, and sale commissions. Pennsylvania Roundup calves have developed an out standing reputation for health and feedlot performance. The objective of “feed them and for get them” cattle has been attained. Morbidity after the sale has averaged less than 1%, and only one calf has been lost from traceable records. These results are attributed to the waiting period after the booster shots are given before trans portation and weaning occur. Calves have sold at the top price or near the top of all 1200 cattle sold on the sale annually. Repeat buyers occur regularly. A survey among producers indi cates they feel the additional price they receive for the cattle is the most important feature of the program, which often aver ages $2O/cwt above local mar kets. Costs for the program have varied from $35.00 to $47.00 per calf, and usually requires a pre mium price of $4.00/cwt. Producers also indicate the pro gram has helped them make production and breeding deci sions that have improved the value and pride they have in their cattle. Future improve ments include the purchase of half-sib sires among consigning herds to increase the genetic consistency, source verification validation, and enterprise finan cial analysis. A & > in feeding Feed Storage and Delivery Systems Flexible Auger for Low Volume, Standard Volume, High Volume, i k as well as High Moisture (up to 25°) and pellet applications