From our Central Coast Agriculture Highlights newsletter ­ October 2002 issue:

WEST NILE VIRUS



With all the recent news regarding this disease, this information should be of interest to you if you are traveling with horses to states that have tested positive for West Nile Virus. This information is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention located in Atlanta, Georgia. I found the following information on CDC's website:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm

which answers specific questions about this disease as it relates to horses. This site includes a special West Nile virus survaillance program in 49 states that collects data on a weekly basis and reports for the following five categories: wild birds, sentinel chicken flocks, human cases, veterinary cases, and mosquito surveillance.
West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and can infect people, horses, many types of birds, and some other animals. Most people who become infected with West Nile virus will have either no symptoms or only mild ones. However, on rare occasions, West Nile virus infection can result in severe and sometimes fatal illnesses. There is no evidence to suggest that West Nile virus can be spread from person to person or from animal to person.

WEST NILE VIRUS AND HORSES - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q: Has West Nile virus caused severe illness or death in horses?

A: Yes, while data suggest that most horses infected with West Nile virus recover, results of investigations indicate that West Nile virus has caused deaths in horses in the United States.

Q: How do the horses become infected with West Nile virus?

A: The same way humans become infected, by the bite of infectious mosquitoes. The virus is located in the mosquito's salivary glands. When mosquitoes bite or "feed" on the horse, the virus is injected into its blood system. The virus then multiplies and may cause illness. The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds or other animals.

Q: How does the virus cause severe illness or death in horses?

A: Following transmission by an infected mosquito, West Nile virus multiplies in the horse's blood system, crosses the blood brain barrier, and infects the brain. The virus interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes inflammation of the brain.

Q: Can I get infected with West Nile virus by caring for an infected horse?

A: West Nile virus is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes. There is no documented evidence of person-to-person or animal-to-person transmission of West Nile virus. Normal veterinary infection control precautions should be followed when caring for a horse suspected to have this or any viral infection.

Q: Can a horse infected with West Nile virus infect horses in neighboring stalls?

A: No. There is no documented evidence that West Nile virus is transmitted between horses. However, horses with suspected West Nile virus should be isolated from mosquito bites, if at all possible.

Q: My horse is vaccinated against eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), western equine encephalitis (WEE), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE). Will these vaccines protect my horse against West Nile virus infection?

A: No. EEE, WEE, and VEE belong to another family of viruses for which there is no cross-protection.

Q: Can I vaccinate my horse against West Nile virus infection?

A: A West Nile virus vaccine for horses was recently approved, but its effectiveness is unknown.

Q: How long will a horse infected with West Nile virus be infectious?

A: We do not know if an infected horse can be infectious (i.e., cause mosquitoes feeding on it to become infected). However, previously published data suggest that the virus is detectable in the blood for only a few days.

Q: What is the treatment for a horse infected with West Nile virus? Should it be destroyed?

A: There is no reason to destroy a horse just because it has been infected with West Nile virus. Data suggest that most horses recover from the infection. Treatment would be supportive and consistent with standard veterinary practices for animals infected with a viral agent.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FAIR BEEF CARCASS RESULTS

I am pleased to report the results of the Santa Barbara County Fair Beef Carcass Program. I have been involved in this program for a long time (26 years), and this was one of the "best" set of carcasses I have seen in recent times.
With the support of the Santa Barbara County Cattlemen and CattleWomen, we have encouraged project members to buy local bred steers that can reflect the current trends of the industry in terms of carcass weight, USDA quality grades, and yield grades. This year, 36 of the 60 steers sold at the fair were from local ranches. To summarize the carcass data of the steers, the average carcass weight was 752 pounds, an average USDA Yield Grade of 2.5, and the average USDA Quality Grade was Choice minus. To better illustrate the quality of the steers this year, 21 of these carcasses qualified for recognition from the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association, California Cattlemen’s Association, and Western States Meat Association’s Carcass of Merit Program.
The winner of the carcass class this year was also the Champion 4-H Market Steer. The steer was fed and exhibited by Whitney Stevenson of the Lucky Clover 4-H Club. The steer was an Angus crossbred that weighed 1,241 lbs., its carcass weight was 837 lbs., it had a USDA Yield Grade of 1.9, and a USDA Quality of Choice+.
If you would like a copy of the data I collected from these carcasses, and information regarding the beef carcass grading system, and how we determine the placing in this carcass class, let me know, and I will send you this information.

SUDDEN OAK DEATH SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM

This research symposium is designed to bring together the broad array of the scientific community from throughout the world, working on Phytophthora ramorum and the phenomena popularly known as "Sudden Oak Death." The goal is to provide a scientific overview on the state of our knowledge about Sudden Oak Death in forest, woodland, urban forestry, and agricultural settings. The symposium will provide not only completed research studies but also updates on current projects underway.
The symposium will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Monterey from December 16 to 18, 2002. This conference is aimed at researchers, natural resource and agricultural managers, policy makers, and public and private interest groups.
For more information log on to:
http://danr.ucop.edu/ihrmp/sodsymp/about.html
or contact Joni Rippee, UC Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program, 145 Mulford Hall, MC #3114, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3114.



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