ADDL Announces Detection of CWD in Captive Deer Facility
Dr. Jeff Hayes, MS, DVM, ADDL Pathology Section Head
The Ohio
Department of Agriculture (ODA) announced on January 12, 2018 that there was a
confirmed positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a captive deer. The
positive tissue was identified by personnel at the ADDL and the infection was
confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames,
Iowa. The state is taking quarantine action to control the further spread of
the disease and there is no evidence that CWD has affected the wild deer
population in the state.
The positive
sample was taken from a single buck on a hunting preserve in Guernsey County
and was tested as part of Ohio’s CWD monitoring program for captive
white-tailed deer operations. The animal was transferred from a captive
breeding facility in Holmes County just days before it was harvested. Both the
hunting preserve and the breeding farm are under quarantine and are subject to
intensive monitoring and sampling protocols. The quarantine will remain
enforced until the state is satisfied that disease transference can no longer
occur between captive operations.
Testing
for the protease resistant protein associated with Chronic Wasting Disease
infection is a major surveillance activity at the ADDL, with 8,243 captive deer
having been tested since 2014, including 2,023 in 2017 and another 251 through
January 25 in 2018. Surveillance of Ohio wild deer for CWD is also
conducted each year in corroboration with the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources. Samples from more than 5,800 wild deer have been tested since 2014, including
samples from more than 1,500 deer collected in 2017 to date. More than 29,500 tissues from
Ohio deer, captive and wild, have been examined for CWD infection since 2014. The ADDL will continue partnering with regulatory officials in this important surveillance program.
Campylobacteriosis in Humans Linked to Pet
Stores
ADDL Plays Critical Role in Linking Human and Pet Cases
Dr. Bev Byrum, DVM, PhD, ADDL Laboratory Director
A multistate outbreak of human Campylobacter infections linked to
puppies sold through pet stores appears to be continuing. The CDC reports as of
January 18, 2018, 109 people in 17 states have laboratory-confirmed infections
or symptoms consistent with a Campylobacter infection linked to this
outbreak (CDC Web Site). Of the 109 cases, Ohio has 32 (29% of total) cases
linked to the outbreak.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture Animal Disease
Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL), Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and
Drug Administration Center of Veterinary Medicine (FDA CVM), the United
States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(USDA APHIS) a various local health departments have been involved in the outbreak investigation in Ohio.
The Ohio ADDL has used state-of-the art techniques such as nucleic acid
amplification and whole genomic sequencing (WGS) in this investigation. The Ohio
ADDL is supported by the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response
Network (Vet-LIRN) program in this effort. As a member of this network, the ADDL isolates Campylobacter from puppy fecal samples, followed by WGS. The data are then uploaded to the national NCBI database which allows it to be compared to other animal and human isolates across the US.
The Vet-LIRN
consists of 41 state and university veterinary diagnostic laboratories that
partner with FDA to help investigate potential problems with animal feed, animal drugs and potential zoonotic issues, ultimately
safeguarding human and animal health. Vet-LIRN also
works with referring veterinarians and pet owners to investigate cases of
potential foodborne illness in pets. Each investigation is tailored to the presenting
case and in some cases requests diagnostic samples from the ill or deceased pets.
Vet-LIRN Links
that may be helpful to you include:
How to report a pet food complaint
Vet-LIRN Network Procedures for Veterinarians
Vet-LIRN Network Procedures for Owners
Please
contact the ADDL if you have questions or wish to submit samples as part of
this investigation at 614-728-6220 or
animal@agri.ohio.gov.
 Whole Genome Sequencing of Influenza Virus Offered at ADDL
Yan Zhang, DVM, PhD, ADDL Virlogy Section Head
Melanie Prarat, MS, ADDL Virology Section Scientist
Influenza virus strains of H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2 are co-circulating in swine in Ohio. The ADDL offers whole genome
sequencing (WGS) services for influenza. This new service allows the laboratory to quickly identify the
strain in a herd. In addition, this new test also provides more information
including monitoring for emerging influenza strains due to mutation or
recombination. Nasal swab and oral
fluid samples can be used for whole genome sequencing. Please let us know
if you are interested in WGS and phylogenetic analysis of influenza that is circulating within your
herds.
Human infections with influenza A viruses found in swine are rare events, but can occur. Conversely, human flu viruses can infect pigs and can introduce new flu viruses into the swine population. Routine measures like frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with animals that look or act ill, and avoiding contact with pigs if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, can reduce the risk of flu transmission between humans and pigs. More information for pork producers and people who work with or raise pigs is available on the CDC's Swine Influenza/Variant Influenza website.
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Melanie Prarat, MS, ADDL Virology Section Scientist
Several new real-time PCR assays are now available at the ADDL:
Brachyspira pilosicoli: Acceptable sample types are bacterial isolate, feces, fecal swab, intestines
Lawsonia intracellularis: Acceptable sample types are feces, fecal swab, intestines
Porcine circovirus type 3: Acceptable sample types are oral fluids and tissue
All three tests have a 2-5 day turnaround time. Contact the Laboratory at 614-728-6220 for more information.
 Beef Expo - March 16-18, 2018
The 31st Ohio Beef Expo is happening March 16-18 in Columbus. You can find the Health Requirements for all breeds here. Any testing for the Expo needs to be completed within 30 days of the show to qualify. The ADDL offers testing services that cover the Expo’s health requirements with results provided within 24 hours of sample receipt. Please contact the ADDL at 614-728-6220 for further testing information.
Shipment During Cold Weather
During the cold winter months, once your samples are picked up by FedEx, UPS, or the USPS, they may be exposed to very low temperatures during transit. Bad weather may also delay delivery of samples, even if you used expedited shipping services. A couple helpful hints to remember when shipping samples to the Ohio ADDL in the winter:
1. Try to avoid shipping on Fridays and before holidays. This helps to prevent samples from prolonged exposure to extremely low temperatures.
2. Use foam insulated shippers to protect your samples from very low temperatures.
Using the recommendations above will help assure your samples arrive at our lab in the best possible condition.
 Lab Holiday Schedule
The Ohio ADDL will be closed on Monday, February 19th, 2018 in observance of President's Day.
For additional information and resources, please visit our website. If you need to contact us regarding an urgent matter, please use our after hours phone number: (888) 456-3405.
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