saddlebum66
Supreme Citizen of ZV
08-09-2019, 03:19 PM (original Posting Date)
Updating The Relevant: For those of you with canine partners East of the Mississippi, there has been a rise in the numbers of Lyme ticks( Ixodes species, known as Hard or seed Ticks), and a lesser known malady is spreading with them. Known as Powassan Virus, this is a dangerous-to-human disease. IF you live in an area where ticks are prevalent, use repellents(never more than 25% DEET) and protect your dog with an appropriate flea and tick system.
Powassan virus
What it is: Powassan (POW) virus, which is related to West Nile virus, is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick and cannot be spread directly from person to person.
Symptoms: People get sick from one week to a month after infection, but many do not develop any symptoms. Common signs include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures. POW virus is a serious disease and can cause inflammation of the brain or meningitis, which can lead to serious complications. There is currently no specific medicine designed to treat POW virus disease.
How common it is: Powassan virus is rare in the U.S. Only one case was reported each year between 2004 and 2006. However, that number jumped to 22 cases in 2016, the highest it has been in 13 years. Most cases have popped up in the Northeast or Great Lakes regions of the U.S.
Additionally, there is a potential bacterial disease that can be spread from a dog's saliva( and presumably other fluids) that can pass to humans, generally through open wounds.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, capnocytophaga is a bacteria that lives in the mouths of dogs and cats. It is spread to people through bites and open scratches. This bacteria is known to cause SERIOUS Gangrene in a human's extremities. There are two cases, one in an Ohio Female, and one in a Wisconsin Male, that have hit the news in the past eighteen months, BOTH of which have resulted in amputations of feet and hands in the victims.
What It Is:
Many Capnocytophaga germs are normal bacteria commonly found in the mouths of people, dogs, and cats. These germs sometimes cause opportunistic infections, which means under the right conditions they can cause an infection, such as in a person with a weakened immune system.
People with weakened immune systems include those who:
People with these conditions should speak with their doctors about how to safely interact with cats and dogs.
The Capnocytophaga germs that are common in dogs and cats can be spread to people through a bite or after close contact with dogs or cats. Infections are more often linked to dog bites or dog contact.
See the Preventing Dog Bites page for information on how to prevent dog bites and what to do if you are bitten, regardless of your health status.
Other Capnocytophaga germs can also be found in human mouths and can cause illness in some people who have the bacteria in their own mouth. People who have weak immune systems get this type of infection more often than healthy people.
Most reported infections occur in tissues connected to the mouth and throat, including:
For the Horse owners and lovers among us, there's bad news for you as well. Eight states east of the River have reported cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a mosquito-vectored disease, and in Delaware, it has been discovered to be reservoired in CHICKENS. This means that anyone in rural areas with a mosquito problem is at risk, even without horses around.
What it is: What is eastern equine encephalitis?
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection that causes encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. It is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected with EEE virus (EEEV). EEEV can also infect a wide range of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The spread of EEEV to mammals (including humans and horses) occurs through the bite of infected mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals.
Who gets eastern equine encephalitis?
Anyone can be infected with EEEV, especially if they live, work, or visit areas where EEEV is present. However, people over the age of 50 and younger than the age of 15 are at greatest risk for developing severe disease when infected with EEEV.
How is eastern equine encephalitis virus spread?
EEEV is maintained through a natural cycle between the Culiseta melanura mosquitoes and birds. The spread of EEEV to mammals (including humans and horses) occurs through the bite of certain infected mosquito species (i.e. Aedes, Coquillettidia, and Culex) that feed on both birds and mammals. EEE is only spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. EEE is not spread person-to-person, people to animals, or animals to people.
What are the symptoms of eastern equine encephalitis and when do they appear?
It is possible that some people who are infected with EEEV will not develop any symptoms. Symptoms of EEEV infection typically appear 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The type of symptoms usually depend on the age of the person. People over age 50 and younger than age 15 are at greatest risk for developing severe disease. Severe cases of EEE infection begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting that may progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and coma. Approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die, and many of those who survive have mild to severe brain damage.
Back in my junior high days,in Ct., a classmate contracted EEE, and spent six months in the hospital. Another kid in a neighboring school district was not so lucky.
Again, Protect yourselves with repellents and stay out of known mosquito hatcheries....get rid of standing water around your homes and barns. Change water in troughs daily. Horses can die from this as well, so keep that in mind and take appropriate measures.
This is not a matter of Alarmisim, but an effort to make Knowledge Power.
As of October, 2019, there have been more than Ten deaths from EEV and more than fifty reported cases...the first HARD FROST will pretty well stop that, but Til it does in YOUR area of the upper US and Canada, please continue to take precautions for you and your critters both
Updating The Relevant: For those of you with canine partners East of the Mississippi, there has been a rise in the numbers of Lyme ticks( Ixodes species, known as Hard or seed Ticks), and a lesser known malady is spreading with them. Known as Powassan Virus, this is a dangerous-to-human disease. IF you live in an area where ticks are prevalent, use repellents(never more than 25% DEET) and protect your dog with an appropriate flea and tick system.
Powassan virus
What it is: Powassan (POW) virus, which is related to West Nile virus, is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick and cannot be spread directly from person to person.
Symptoms: People get sick from one week to a month after infection, but many do not develop any symptoms. Common signs include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures. POW virus is a serious disease and can cause inflammation of the brain or meningitis, which can lead to serious complications. There is currently no specific medicine designed to treat POW virus disease.
How common it is: Powassan virus is rare in the U.S. Only one case was reported each year between 2004 and 2006. However, that number jumped to 22 cases in 2016, the highest it has been in 13 years. Most cases have popped up in the Northeast or Great Lakes regions of the U.S.
Additionally, there is a potential bacterial disease that can be spread from a dog's saliva( and presumably other fluids) that can pass to humans, generally through open wounds.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, capnocytophaga is a bacteria that lives in the mouths of dogs and cats. It is spread to people through bites and open scratches. This bacteria is known to cause SERIOUS Gangrene in a human's extremities. There are two cases, one in an Ohio Female, and one in a Wisconsin Male, that have hit the news in the past eighteen months, BOTH of which have resulted in amputations of feet and hands in the victims.
What It Is:
Many Capnocytophaga germs are normal bacteria commonly found in the mouths of people, dogs, and cats. These germs sometimes cause opportunistic infections, which means under the right conditions they can cause an infection, such as in a person with a weakened immune system.
People with weakened immune systems include those who:
- Drink alcohol excessively
- Have had their spleens removed
- Have HIV infection or cancer
People with these conditions should speak with their doctors about how to safely interact with cats and dogs.
The Capnocytophaga germs that are common in dogs and cats can be spread to people through a bite or after close contact with dogs or cats. Infections are more often linked to dog bites or dog contact.
See the Preventing Dog Bites page for information on how to prevent dog bites and what to do if you are bitten, regardless of your health status.
Other Capnocytophaga germs can also be found in human mouths and can cause illness in some people who have the bacteria in their own mouth. People who have weak immune systems get this type of infection more often than healthy people.
Most reported infections occur in tissues connected to the mouth and throat, including:
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Respiratory tract infections (infections of the mouth, nose, throat, and lungs)
- Eye infections
- Septicemia (blood infection)
- Endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart)
- Abscesses (collections of pus in the tissue that cause redness and swelling) in various body tissues
- Inflammation of the eyes, face, lymph nodes, or brain membranes
For the Horse owners and lovers among us, there's bad news for you as well. Eight states east of the River have reported cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a mosquito-vectored disease, and in Delaware, it has been discovered to be reservoired in CHICKENS. This means that anyone in rural areas with a mosquito problem is at risk, even without horses around.
What it is: What is eastern equine encephalitis?
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection that causes encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. It is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected with EEE virus (EEEV). EEEV can also infect a wide range of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The spread of EEEV to mammals (including humans and horses) occurs through the bite of infected mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals.
Who gets eastern equine encephalitis?
Anyone can be infected with EEEV, especially if they live, work, or visit areas where EEEV is present. However, people over the age of 50 and younger than the age of 15 are at greatest risk for developing severe disease when infected with EEEV.
How is eastern equine encephalitis virus spread?
EEEV is maintained through a natural cycle between the Culiseta melanura mosquitoes and birds. The spread of EEEV to mammals (including humans and horses) occurs through the bite of certain infected mosquito species (i.e. Aedes, Coquillettidia, and Culex) that feed on both birds and mammals. EEE is only spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. EEE is not spread person-to-person, people to animals, or animals to people.
What are the symptoms of eastern equine encephalitis and when do they appear?
It is possible that some people who are infected with EEEV will not develop any symptoms. Symptoms of EEEV infection typically appear 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The type of symptoms usually depend on the age of the person. People over age 50 and younger than age 15 are at greatest risk for developing severe disease. Severe cases of EEE infection begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting that may progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and coma. Approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die, and many of those who survive have mild to severe brain damage.
Back in my junior high days,in Ct., a classmate contracted EEE, and spent six months in the hospital. Another kid in a neighboring school district was not so lucky.
Again, Protect yourselves with repellents and stay out of known mosquito hatcheries....get rid of standing water around your homes and barns. Change water in troughs daily. Horses can die from this as well, so keep that in mind and take appropriate measures.
This is not a matter of Alarmisim, but an effort to make Knowledge Power.
As of October, 2019, there have been more than Ten deaths from EEV and more than fifty reported cases...the first HARD FROST will pretty well stop that, but Til it does in YOUR area of the upper US and Canada, please continue to take precautions for you and your critters both