Author: Stacey Stearns

CVMDL Tests Avian Influenza Samples from Vermont for USDA APHIS

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WASHINGTON, April 29, 2022 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial, backyard flock (non-poultry) in Caledonia County, Vermont.

Samples from the flock were tested at the University of Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.

APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Vermont on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the property were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.  Read more.

CVMDL Faculty Present at Regional Conference

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The Northeastern Veterinary Pathology Conference was held in late March and two faculty from CVMDL presented on their cases and findings.

2022 Northeastern Veterinary Pathology Conference (NEVPC)

Natalie Tocco, DVM, Resident in Anatomic Pathology at the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science

Title of the presentation: West Nile Virus in a Timneh Grey Parrot.

 

Emily Reinhardt, DVM, MS Assistant Professor, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science

Title of the presentation: Phaeohyphomycosis in a Lumpfish

Fox Tests Positive for Rabies

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fox in the wild
Photo: Charles Jackson, Unsplash

CVMDL is frequently asked to test wild animals, it’s part of our disease monitoring and surveillance. Many people heard about the rabid fox on Capitol Hill this week, and interestingly enough, we also had a fox test positive, this one in Fairfield County. Our lab has had four positive rabies tests in foxes out of 16 total tested over the past 10 years (see chart below). Remember not to approach any wild animals that are behaving erratically, and instead to contact your local animal control center.

chart of positive fox rabies tests

Confirmed Diagnosis: Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) in Connecticut

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Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) has a confirmed diagnosis of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) in a 14-year-old mare located in Tolland County at a private facility. CVMDL has the capacity to test clinical samples (nasal swabs and complete blood) for EHV-1 using a combination of PCR followed by sequencing. Please contact us at cvmdl@uconn.edu for more information.

The Equine Disease Communication Center has an Equine Herpesvirus factsheet. Please see the following frequently asked questions below:

How is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) spread between horses?

EHV is spread from horse to horse through contact with nasal discharge or spread as aerosol droplets. Horses can also contract the virus by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces such as stalls, water, feed, tack, and transport vehicles. Humans can spread the virus from horse to horse by contaminated hands and clothing. 

What are the symptoms of Equine Herpesvirus?

Fever, nasal discharge, lethargy/depression, neonatal death, late-term abortion, and neurologic disease

How can I prevent Equine Herpesvirus?

Vaccinations are available for prevention of the respiratory and abortive form of EHV-1 and EHV-4; there is currently no vaccine labeled for the prevention of the neurologic form of EHV (EHM). The best method of protection is always to maintain current vaccinations on all horses on your property and to follow correct biosecurity protocol when bringing new horses onto your premises or when traveling with your horse. 

What are biosecurity measures for Equine Herpesvirus?

EHV is spread via aerosol particles from nasal discharge or from contaminated surfaces including people, clothing, feed and water, implements, and stalls; isolation is critical to preventing spread of the virus. Proper biosecurity measures include extensive disinfection of surfaces and equipment that come in contact with affected horses. 

Please view the factsheet for more information.

Avian Influenza Information

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chickens in a coop

Avian Influenza was confirmed in one non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) in Connecticut. The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, part of UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources tested the birds in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Surveillance and testing are ongoing in Connecticut to quickly identify and contain any future cases. The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) conducts all tests at the laboratory in Storrs and informs the state veterinarian. Connecticut is home to over five million poultry consisting of backyard and commercial flocks that could be affected by the disease outbreak. Please visit our Avian Influenza page for more information and resources.

Rabies Readiness: Genomic Surveillance Helps Prepare for Outbreaks in Bats

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big brown bat in gloved hand

This study is the first to collect genetic sequencing data from bat rabies viruses in the Northeast

The COVID-19 pandemic and the significant impact of emerging variants have shown the importance of understanding viruses in as much detail as possible.

Luckily there are many ways scientists can learn more about zoonotic diseases, like genetic sequencing. Data gathered from detailed genetic sequencing can tell us a lot about a virus, like how it spreads and its evolutionary history.

This same lesson can be applied to another public health concern – rabies in bats.

Dong-Hun Lee, assistant professor of infectious disease epidemiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources recently identified the currently circulating rabies viruses in bats submitted to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) and shared his findings in Viruses.

This study is the first to collect genetic sequencing data from bat rabies viruses in the Northeast.

Read more.

CVMDL In The News

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CVMDL is frequently cited in news article. A few of our previous articles include: