It's attacking our majestic birds!

alledan

Pittsburgh-AP -- While the West Nile virus is a serious concern for humans, scientists have become even more alarmed at the speed with which it's spread to many bird species.

The virus, first spotted in this country in a sick crow three years ago, has now attacked at least 111 species of birds, including the bald eagle and the endangered Mississippi sandhill crane.

The spread of the virus has surprised and alarmed wildlife researchers because it has happened so quickly. Last year, West Nile had been detected only in about a dozen species of birds.

Scientists say the deaths of any endangered species is of particular concern.

Wildlife disease specialist Kathryn Converse of the U-S Geological Survey says experts don't know of any birds that can't be affected by the virus.

Some institutions with captive bird populations have installed mosquito netting.

There's a vaccine for horses but it's not known if it works for birds.

cowdoc

i might be imunized from west nile.....i was vacinating a horse while back i pulled the protective cover from a disposable syring some how ended up sticking myself in the end of my thumb with the needle.
neighbors lost a horse to westnile about a week ago.
doc

HighNoon

I had my three horses vaccinated this spring when our vet said it was only a matter of time before it Colorado. I just wish we humans could get vaccinated for this and Hanta Virus. Every time I go into a dusty barn it's on my mind.

susie

I was talking to my mom last night and she raised an interesting question. Everyone is concerned about mosquito bites transmitting the virus, but should those on farms and near livestock be concerned about horsefly bites? Are they potential carriers? I haven't seen this addressed anywhere.

***There's a difference between living and living well!***

cowdoc

susie good question about flies.imho i dont think a fly bite would be nearly as likley to infect you because flies dont inject anticlotting"the stuff that makes you itch from a mosquito bite" into you like a mosquito would and that is where the difference would be. although it could be possible to get something from a fly bite but they hurt and you would instantly swat the fly where a mosquito bite you may not feel.
doc

He Dog

Got a chuckle from your post Doc. Some years back I worked in the Summers for a large animal practitioner who was my cousin's husband. More than once in the fray in a hogbarn, I got stuck. I think I have no worries about cholera, and I always managed to avoid that curved scalpel!

I believe I heard that West Nile had been picked up in Colorado already. It seems to be transmitted most effectively by mosquitos of the genus Culex, the same group that carried spotted fever and I believe maleria. Facinating epidemiology, as Culex rarely wander more than about 100 feet from the natal pond.

A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand

cowdoc

He Dog
i have gotten myself with some cattle vaccines also, when preconditioning calves in the fall, got myself in the leg with pasteurella one time and another time i got myself with bvd, PI3 and RSv. i give about 2000 shots a year to cattle, so am bound to get myself once in a while.
i went to donate blood one time about a week after sticking myself with pateurella...filled out a questionaire and one question was have you had any puncture wounds. the nurse asked me what happened i told her that i got stuck in the leg with a needle on a vaccine gun that had pasturella in it...should have seen the look on her face. LOL needless to say they would'nt take my blood.
doc

bradf111

Local bird sanctuary lost 1 Bald eagle, 1 redtail hawk, 1 owl(barn i believe) 1 red vested hawk, and has 4 other birds of prey on watch list with one not expected to live through mid-week.
Green Bay,WI