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Fall 2002 Newsletter


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 FROM  THE  DIRECTOR
 H. Leon Thacker, DVM, PhD

Fall, what a great time of the year!.  Harvest; crisp, clear days; new school year; frost and the passing of another season of mosquitoes.  This year, the disappearance of the mosquitoes will be especially welcome as the vector of West Nile virus spread will also be gone for a few months.  We’ve been busy with diagnosis of WNV primarily in horses and birds, but with recent findings in other species, we are receiving many suspected cases in other species.  From reports we have received from many practitioners, the WNV vaccine appears to be very effective in preventing the disease in horses and, although it has been reported in other species, it appears that WNV will be of only occasional consequence in species other than equine and avian.  We have drawn up a protocol for handling WNV suspects in the Laboratories which will hopefully minimize the risk of exposure to our pathologists, microbiologists, support staff and students to the disease from animals and birds submitted for diagnosis.  Although WNV is reported to be of very limited consequence in individuals with normal immune competence, it can be a severe or lethal disease for people or animals in immunity depressed status.  The soon anticipated killing frosts will temporarily eliminate the mosquito population which is the primary means of transmitting the disease and there are a lot of horses in our state that have been vaccinated for the disease.  We encourage all horse owners to vaccinate their horses against WNV; though the occurrence of the disease will no doubt be abated over the winter, it will be back with us with the resumption of mosquito season next spring.  I expect the number of vaccinated horses in Indiana to reduce the incidence of the disease in horses in 2003 though the numbers of susceptible birds will likely serve as a viable reservoir for some time to come.

Although it is not in epidemic proportions, we should remain cognizant of the ever present threat of rabies in our domestic and wild animals.  In our immediate area around West Lafayette, we have recently had an increase in the number of bats diagnosed with rabies.  As bat rabies is likely the most lethal form of rabies for humans, this should be of concern and recognition.

Please note the new tests available in the ADDL.  We are excited about the offering of these new methods for more rapid and definitive diagnostic means.  Hope you have a most enjoyable fall season; we are here to assist you with your diagnostic needs.

Locations


ADDL-West Lafayette:
406 S. University
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Phone: 765-494-7440
Fax: 765-494-9181

ADDL-SIPAC
11367 E. Purdue Farm Road
Dubois, IN 47527
Phone: (812) 678-3401
Fax: (812) 678-3412

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