Transcript HJKLK POJLKK IK,LLKJ - Washington State University

West Nile Virus
What’s New in the Wildlife
Arena?
November 2003
National Wildlife Health Center
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Emi Kate Saito
Background:
•Born/raised Pittsburgh PA
•BS, 1993: U. of WI – Madison
•Zoology, Biological Aspects of
Conservation
•VMD, 1997: U. of PA
•MSPH, 2001: Emory U.
•Epidemiology
•WNV-related work:
(I’m the one on the far left –
INCDNCM 2003, AZ)
•Dekalb Co. Board of Health, Atlanta GA
(2001)
•NWHC, Madison WI (since 2002)
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Famous last words in Emi’s life:
From a guidance counselor in high school:
“Why don’t you become a veterinarian? They
work a nice M-F, 9-5 job.”
Ha.
Upon graduating from college:
“I want to be a field biologist. I’ll get my veterinary
degree so I can treat my subjects if they get
sick/injured.”
=little sleep & little pay
Upon graduating from vet school:
“My head hurts. I think my brain is full.”
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Basic Virus Review
• Family: Flaviviridae
• Genus: Flavivirus Japanese Encephalitis
Antigenic Complex
• Complex includes:
Japanese Encephalitis
St. Louis Encephalitis
Usutu - Austria 2002, 2003
West Nile
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Transmission
Virus
Virus
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Role of Wildlife in Maintenance
of WNV
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Clinical Signs
Found Dead
General weakness, lethargy
Emaciation
Sedentary
Difficulty maintaining balance, trembling
Inability to walk, perch, stand, or fly
Do not respond normally to danger
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Dead bird mortality, 2003
As of 11/3/2003:
 approximately
13,000 dead birds found
positive
 44 states + DC
 Although state of MD not testing birds, positive
birds found from military installations in MD
 ID, NV, OR, WA
7
Canadian Provinces
 Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan,
Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
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Also in the Western Hemisphere…
Resident/non-migratory birds
 Mexico
 Dominican
Republic
 Jamaica
 El
Salvador?
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# Species Affected
at least 171 dead avian species
another 35 antibody-positive
23 mammals (including equids)
another 6 antibody-positive
prairie dogs? unconfirmed
1 reptile
another antibody-positive
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2003 WNV-Related
Wildlife Mortality Events
American White Pelicans
Raptors
Black Vultures
Squirrels
Captive/Farmed:
Alligators
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Other Wildlife Mortality
Cotton-tail rabbits -- WY
Crows- WA
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Testing Methods
Specimens
 Organs
 Oropharyngeal/cloacal
swabs
 Immature feathers (blood quills)
Tests
 Virus
Isolation
 RT-PCR
 VecTest
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Utility of Continuing Dead Bird
Testing and Reporting
Dead (positive) birds continue to serve as
early indicator of human risk of infection
Arboviral panel/Diagnostic evaluation of dead
wildlife can lead to discovery of other agents
of concern
Dead bird reporting (or lack of) may indicate
higher risk areas, as well as indicate areas
where need to target more education
campaigns
Further understanding of epidemiology and
ecology of virus in North America
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Why to stop testing…
Cost of shipping, testing, staff to collect
Inconvenience – lots of phone calls,
particularly after the 1st positive
If it’s known to be in the area, could
solely focus on mosquito testing…
 VecTest
useful – designed for mosquito
testing, cheaper, considered to have
acceptable sensitivity/specificity for
surveillance purposes
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Research Update…
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Some studies to mention:
Crows in IL
Crows in OK
Blue Jays in OH
Herps
Bird Counts
Bird vaccination studies
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Thank you for your attention!
Any questions?
[email protected]
608-270-2456
National Wildlife Health Center