West Nile Virus (WNV) Update

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1 Duval County Ag August 202 Hello! I hope everyone is surviving the drought it will be over soon as for Juan Flores prediction I hope you find this newsletter helpful and please RSVP if you would like to attend the white tailed deer seminar As of August 3, 202 the drought is officially over ~Juan Flores West Nile Virus (WNV) Update As of July 30, a total of 45 West Nile (WN) virus-related illnesses had been reported in Texas residents during 202:93 cases of WN neurological disease (WNND) and 52 cases of WN fever; two fatalities had been reported Counties reporting WNND cases included Bell, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Grayson, Harris, Hays Johnson, Kaufman, Liberty, McLennan, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson, and Zavala. Counties reporting WN fever included Collin, Cooke, Dallas Denton, Ellis, Henderson, Montgomery, Randall, and Tarrant. Three horses had been reported with WN neurological, disease, one each from Brazoria, Collin and Parker counties. Numerous WNV positive mosquito pools had been identified, with Brazoria, Brazos. Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, harris, Jefferson, Montgomery, Nueces, Tarrant, Travis and Wichita counties reporting at least one positive mosquito pool. Additional information regarding WNV activity in Texas is available at Maps showing reported arboviral activity in the United States can be found at Many people who are bitten by an infected mosquito won t get sick-many others aren t as lucky. Since 999, more than 30,000 people in the United States have been reported as getting sick with West Nile virus. Occasionally, an infected person may develop more severe disease such as West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis or West Nile meningoencephalitis. Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain, meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord, and meningoencephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain and the membrane surrounding it. Almost 3,000 of the individuals who have been reported as having West Nile virus since 999 have been seriously ill, and more than,200 have died. Another problem in some parts of the United States and many places in the tropics is dengue. The World Health Organization estimates there may be million dengue infections in the world every year. Over 2.5 billion people are at risk of getting infected with dengue virus. The reasons one person becomes severely ill from diseases mosquitoes carry and another doesn t are not entirely known, but why take a chance?

2 Or any number of other mosquito borne disease. More severe problems are possible. Being hospitalized with swelling of the brain, or even worse, are possibilities from many of these diseases. What repellent should I use? CDC recommends a variety of effective repellents ( Updates.htm ) the most important step is to pick one and use it. There are those that can protect you for a short while in the backyard or a long while in the woods. Deet, picaridin, ir3535 and the plant-based oil of lemon eucalyptus and are all repellents recommended by CDC. All contain an EPA-registered active ingredient and have been studied to make sure they are effective and sage. EPA has a long listing of repellent brands in the United States. When should you wear repellent/ mosquitoes can bite anytime. Most of the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus bite from around sundown to around sun-up (throughout the night) put a few bottles or packets of repellent around-in the car, by the door, in a purse or backpack. Where are mosquitoes a problem? Almost all of the continental United States has help reports of people getting sick with West Nile virus. But there are areas of the United States where people are more likely to get severely ill, and these area scan change from year to year. Rabies DSHS LABORATORY-CONFIRMED RABID ANIMALS HEALTH SERVICE REGION -202 COUNTY JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL TOTAL BEE CAMERON 4 HILDALGO BAT-2 BAT2 BAT-2 7 NUECES WEBB 3 WILLACY ZAPATA HORSE- TOTAL

3 Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Far West Texas Austin-Samples from two mule deer recently taken in far West Texas have been confirmed positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). These are the first cases of CWD detected in Texas deer. Wildlife officials believe the event is currently isolated in a remote part of the state near the New Mexico border. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) implemented regionally-focused deer sample collection efforts after the disease was detected in the Hueco Moutains of New Mexico during the 20-2 hunting season. With the assistance of cooperating landowners, TPWD,TAHC, and USDA- APHIS-Wildlife Service s biologists and veterinarians collected samples from 3 mule deer as part of a strategic CWD surveillance plan designed to determine the geographic extent of New Mexico s findings. Both infected deer were taken from the Hueco Mountains of northern el Paso and Hudpeth counties. CWD is a member of the group of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Other diseases in this group include scrapie in sheep, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) in cattle, and Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. CWD among cervids is a progressive, fatal disease that commonly results in altered behavior as a result of microscopic changes made to the brain of affected animals. And animal may carry the disease for years without outward indication, but in the latter stages, signs may include listlessness, lowering of the head,, weight loss, repetitive walking in set patterns, and a lack of responsiveness. CWD is not known to affect humans. Now that we have detected CWD in Texas, our primary objective is to contain this disease said Carter Smith, TPWD Executive Director. Working collaboratively with experts in the field we have developed protocols to address CWD and the implementation is already under way White Tailed Deer Seminar September 28, 202 Gamez ranch hwy 339 north from Benavides to County Road 342 one mile on left side $5.00 8:00am-:00pm Contact Sam Gavito for RSVP (36) or (36)207-60

4 Garden Checklist for July-August 202 Trim off faded flowers on crape myrtles to encourage later re-bloom.the more modern hybrids of the old fashioned lagerstroemia indica, and L. faureii have larger, more conspicuous panicles of flowers, but these often tend to turn to heavy seedpods which discourage panicles of flowers, but these often tend to turn to heavy seedpods which discourage re-blooming later in the season. They can be cut off, if practical. Evaluate the volume of water delivered from lawn sprinklers to ensure healthy, stress-free grass during the heat of the summer. One thorough watering which will deliver one inch of water at a time is better than several more shallow sessions. The amount of water available through flower bed sprinklers may be checked by placing several shallow pans among shrubs or flowers. Caladiums require plenty of water at this time of year if they are to remain lush and active until fall. Fertilize with at the rate of one-third to one-half pound per 00 square feet of bed area, and water thoroughly. Prune out dead or diseased wood from trees and shrubs. Hold off on major pruning from now until midwinter. Severe pruning at this time will only stimulate tender new growth prior to frost. Sow seeds of snapdragons. Pansies, calendulas, and other cool-season flowers in flats or in well-prepared areas of the garden, for planting outside during mid-to-late fall. Plant bluebonnet and other spring wildflowers. They must germinate in late summer or early fall, develop good root systems, and be ready to grow in spring when the weather warms. Plant seed in well-prepared soil, one half inch deep, and water thoroughly. Picking flowers frequently encourages most annuals and perennials to flower even more abundantly. It is time to divide spring-flowering perennials, such as iris, Shasta daisy, oxeye, gaillardia, cannas, day lilies, violets, liriope, and ajuga. Make your selections and place orders for springs- flowering bulb now so that they will arrive in time for planting in October and November. Don t allow plants with green fruit or berries to suffer from lack of moisture. A late-summer pruning of rosebushes can be beneficial. Prune out dead canes and any weak, brushy growth. Cut back tall, vigorous bushes to about 30 inches. After pruning, apply fertilizer, and water thoroughly. if a preventive disease-control program has been maintained, your rose bushes should be ready to provide an excellent crop of flowers this fall. It is not too late to set out another planting of many warm-seasons annuals, such as marigolds, zinnias, and periwinkles. They will require extra attention for the first few weeks, but should provide you with color during late September, October, and November. Establish a new compost pile to accommodate the fall leaf accumulation.

5 Anthrax Case Confirmed in Sheep in Iron County Austin- A yearling female sheep in West Texas has been diagnosed with anthrax. This is the second confirmed case of anthrax in a Texas animal for 202 and the first in livestock this year. The infected sheep was located near Mertzon, TX (Iron County,) which is approximately 26 miles southwest of San Angelo. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has quarantined the premises. TAHC regulations require vaccinations of exposed livestock and proper disposal of carcasses before a quarantine can be released. Anthrax is a bacterial disease cause by Bacillus anthracis, which is a naturally occurring arganism with worldwide distribution, including Texas. It is not uncommon for anthrax to be diagnosed in livestock or wildlife in the southwestern part of the state. Basic sanitation precautions such as hand washing, wearing long sleeves and gloves can prevent accidental spread of the bacteria to people if handling affected livestock or carcasses. Acute fever followed by rapid death with bleeding from body openings are all common signs of anthrax in livestock. Carcasses may also appear bloated and appear to decompose quickly. Livestock or animals displaying symptoms consistent with anthrax should be reported to a private practitioner or TAHC official. The TAHC will continue to closely monitor the situation for possible new cases across the state. Producers are encouraged to consult with their veterinary practitioner or local TAHC office about the disease and about preventative measures such as vaccination of livestock Dr. Dee Ellis, State Veterinarian, said. For more information regarding anthrax, contact your local TAHC region or or visit The Texas Animal health Commission works to protect the health of all Texas livestock, including: cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, equine animals, and exotic livestock