Infectious Diseases & Epidemiology

Horses, wild birds serve as biggest hosts for viral transmission from mosquitoes

Washington, D.C. - West Nile virus has descended upon the nation's Capitol for the fourth consecutive season.

Baton Rouge, La.-Researchers at Louisiana State University (LSU) are investigating whether horses' exposure to influenza virus would reduce the risk of developing recurring airway obstruction (RAO) disease.

Ithaca, N.Y.-An eye disease that struck eastern house finches in Maryland in 1994 may help expand scientists' understanding of a number of epidemic diseases in humans, animals and plants.

Fort Dodge Animal Health announces it has received a license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to produce the first vaccine for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The dual-subtype vaccine should be available this summer.

Richmond, Va.-The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians recently released the 2002 version of the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control.

Fort Dodge Animal Health announces it has developed a Web site and a client information brochure that provide the latest information on West Nile Virus

Experts predict the severity of vector-borne diseases, fleas and ticks will be a mixed bag in 2002 with the continuing spread of West Nile Virus still the biggest threat.

West Lafayette, Ind. - Purdue University research is providing clues on how viruses infect cells. The study took a detailed look at a syringe-like structure designed to inject viral DNA into a host cell, and the results reveal "a unique and complex entry scheme for viruses," the university reports.

Vague signs, similar clinical presentation to other diseases confound practitioners

Experts predict the severity of vector-borne diseases, fleas and ticks will be a mixed bag in 2002 with the continuing spread of West Nile Virus still the biggest threat.

The West Coast appears to be the next victim of the West Nile.

Officials are chasing a moving target as the progression of West Nile Virus (WNV) penetrates farther west.

Q It seems like I have been diagnosing an increasing number of cases of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Is the incidence of feline infectious peritonitis on the increase? Are laboratory tests useful?

Atlanta-Veterinarians can refer to rabies recommendations for animal rabies control programs throughout the United States in the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2001, released by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.

Atlanta-Forty-one horses are under quarantine in northern Georgia following exposure to equine infectious anemia, reports Tommy Irvin, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner.

Baton Rouge, La.-A bovine virus not originally suspected to cause respiratory tract infections in cattle is now associated with outbreaks of shipping fever pneumonia, researchers at Louisiana State University report.

New York-Researchers studying human lung cancer have recently learned how a sheep cancer virus attaches to cells, and believe this knowledge could lead to a new way to deliver gene therapy to human lungs.