Awareness of rabies and response to dog bites in Bangladesh

Photo Credit: CDC/Barbara Andrews

Veterinary Medicine and Science recently published an  interesting article about rabies and treatments for both humans and animals in Bangladesh. 

It is interesting to compare the differences of rabies cases and treatments between the United States and Bangladesh. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 90% of all animal cases reported annually to CDC [in the United States] now occur in wildlife; before 1960 the majority were in domestic animals. The principal rabies hosts today are wild carnivores and bats. In Bangladesh, the source is domestic and feral dogs. The number of rabies-related human deaths in the United States has declined from more than 100 annually at the turn of the century to one or two per year in the 1990’s [CDC, 2018].

Below is an excerpt from the article.

Rabies is an invariably fatal viral zoonotic disease that can infect all mammals, but domestic dogs are the source of over 99% of human infections (WHO, 2013). Worldwide, an estimated 29 million people receive post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies each year and more than 59 000 people die of rabies (Hampson et al. 2015), primarily due to poor rabies control measures. Human rabies can be prevented through immediate administration of PEP following exposure to rabid animals (Hemachudha et al. 2002). However, people in low‐income countries, especially the poor portion of society, may not receive these life‐saving treatments because either the PEP treatment is expensive and not readily available or people may not visit the hospital to receive treatment due to lack of knowledge about rabies (Kayali et al. 2003; Knobel et al. 2005; Hampson et al. 2008) [Gosh, et a;., 2016]

Follow this link for the entire article.

References:

CDC [Center for Disease Control]. Rabies in the U.S., online. [Accessed on 7/10/2018]. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/location/usa/index.html

Sumon Ghosh  Sukanta Chowdhury  Najmul Haider  Rajub K. Bhowmik  Md. S. Rana Aung S. Prue Marma  Muhammad B. Hossain  Nitish C. Debnath  Be‐Nazir Ahmed, 2016. Veterinary Medicine and Science. 2:3. Pp.161-169 https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.30 

  

Photo Credit: Content Providers: CDC/Barbara Andrews - This media comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #2614. Note: Not all PHIL images are public domain; be sure to check copyright status and credit authors and content providers., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3838566

Blue Green algae is dangerous for animals and humans

                                                                                   [image credit FWC, 2018]

Living in South Florida, we are all too familiar with the blue green algae that can be found today in all of Florida's freshwater and brackish habitats – lakes, rivers and estuaries. This blue green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria can cause health issues for both humans and animals.

Nutrient pollution from agricultural and urban runoff causes the majority of freshwater cyanobacteria blooms. Other conditions that contribute to blooms are stagnant water resulting from a lack of natural flushing and land clearing. Cyanobacteria blooms can destroy submerged vegetation like seagrass by blocking sunlight. Blooms can also reduce oxygen availability to other aquatic organisms and introduce toxins that pass through the food chain. Toxins produced by cyanobacteria can be harmful to humans, affecting the liver (hepatotoxins), the nervous system (neurotoxins) and skin (dermatotoxins) [FWC, 2018].

Veterinary toxicologist, Steve Ensley, stated that when animals are exposed to this toxin, they may experience vomiting or diarrhea. If the cyanobacteria exposure is severe, it can be lethal and cause liver failure in animals [Anderson, 2018]. Animals should be kept away from any waters thought to have this algae present and livestock ponds should be monitored on a regular basis.

For more information on Cyanobacteria and water pollutants, you can follow the links below: [accessed on 6/27/2018]

Cyanobacteria Blooms FAQs [CDC]

Introduction to the Cyanobacteria  [UC Berkley]

Cyanobacteria/Cyanotoxins   [EPA]

For Research on Cyanobacteria [Purdue]

Cyanobacterial (Blue-Green Algal) Blooms: Tastes, Odors, and Toxins [USGS]

water walk

wateraid.org

Dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is growing larger

What is a marine dead zone? Also known as hypoxia, it is an area in the ocean with such low oxygen concentration that animal life suffocates and dies, hence the name dead zone. “Hypoxic zones can occur naturally, but scientists are concerned about the areas created or enhanced by human activity (NOAA). 

There are many physical, chemical, and biological factors that combine to create dead zones, but nutrient pollution is the primary cause of those zones created by humans. Excess nutrients that run off land or are piped as wastewater into rivers and coasts can stimulate an overgrowth of algae, which then sinks and decomposes in the water. The decomposition process consumes oxygen and depletes the supply available to healthy marine life” [NOAA https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/deadzone.html ].

Scientists predict that the Gulf dead zone will cover about 6,620 square miles of the bottom of the continental shelf off Louisiana and Texas. The Gulf dead zone is the second largest HUMAN CAUSED one in the world. Science daily reported that “Efforts to reduce the nitrate loading have not yet demonstrated success at the watershed scale” 

[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180607120724.htm ]. The dead zone is present all year long, but is most prevalent during spring and summer, citing nutrients from the Mississippi River watershed contribute to the problem.

To read the full report go to Science Daily story here.

Map showing distribution of bottom-water dissolved oxygen from July 28 to August 3, west of the Mississippi River delta. Black lined areas — areas in red to deep red — have very little dissolved oxygen. (Data: Nancy Rabalais, LUMCON; R Eugene Turner, LSU. Credit: NOAA)

New emerging global coronavirus in pigs has the potential to transmit to humans.

Image: By Johan Spaedtke - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26954959

The Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), identified in 2012, is a common enteropathogen of swine with worldwide distribution. The evolutionary cycle/origin of this virus is still unknown.  The PDCoV has predominantly been associated with avian CoV. Analysis suggests that PDCoV has experienced a host-switching event between birds and mammals.

The porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) (species name coronavirus HKU15) was identified in Hong Kong in pigs in the late 2000s  and has since been detected in swine populations in various countries worldwide (Wentao, et al., 2018). The virus can cause acute diarrhea and vomiting, and can sometimes be fatal.

Due to the presumed origin in avian species and the known cross-species transmission of CoVs, researchers began to investigate the susceptibility of cell lines other than swine to this PDCoV infection. They began to test cell lines derived from human and galline tissues. They found both were susceptible to PDCoV infection

“Successful cross-species transmission depends foremost on the virus’ ability to bind and functionally use a receptor within an alternative host, causing the S protein to be the driver of CoV emergence” (Wentao, et. al, 2018). Due to the fact that pigs are the second largest global livestock species, and the potential for them to spread zoonotic diseases; this study sheds light on the importance of further study.

To read the FULL STUDY on this research please follow the link at PNAS here: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1802879115

Reference:

Wentao Li, Ruben J. G. Hulswit, Scott P. Kenney, Ivy Widjaja, Kwonil Jung, Moyasar A. Alhamo, Brenda van Dieren, Frank J. M. van Kuppeveld, Linda J. Saif, and Berend-Jan Bosch, 2018. Broad receptor engagement of an emerging global coronavirus may potentiate its diverse cross-species transmissibility

PNAS https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1802879115

Field trip to Pine Glades Natural Area

The Field biology class took a field trip to Pine Glades Natural Area for a swamp buggy tour and two field survey activities led by staff biologists.

The biologists let students participate in some of their management/monitoring activities . One group learned how to do line transect plant surveys, monitoring plant abundance. They spoke about the different methods of habitat restoration [mechanical, chemical and fire]. This location uses a combination of all three methods in order to restore and maintain natural habitats. Along with methods, students learned about community, agency and cooperative efforts that all play an important role in which method is used and when, along with overviews of all the permits and permissions required for maintaining natural habitats.

The second group of students learned how to use throw nets to survey and record what is living in the waters of the park. In this case, the "net" was netting on a square pvc cube that was placed to isolate sections of water. They then sieve out the water to see what species  are found. They record and continue this method until there are no more fish or arthropods in the net, then move on to another section. They found shrimp, crayfish and several fish species.

Along the swamp buggy tour students saw nesting  great white herons, swallowtail kites and even feral hogs. We have the pictures to prove it! Thanks to our hosts for another great field trip.

Conservation photography workshop at Riverwoods Field Lab

Join and learn about conservation photography at Riverwoods Field Lab.

Field Biology class visits Lion Country Safari

Tina Cloutier Barbour, Curator of Primates at Lion Country Safari, gave the class a tour of the drive through safari and then an in depth look at chimpanzees at the park. You can learn more about their chimps here and the ongoing research through the chimpanzoo program.

Tina talked about all the history and management efforts that are ongoing in each section of the safari, as we drove through. It was informative and interesting to get a behind the scene talk for each species we encountered. She spoke of all the regulations, breeding management, enrichment and enclosure efforts that are ongoing in the park. We learned about behavioral quirks for some of the species and how the staff handles them, efforts to improve the natural habitats of the animals and future plans and research that are in the works.

We then stopped at the research station for the chimpanzees, Tina’s specialty and main responsibility at Lion Country Safari.

Lion Country Safari is home to one of the largest displays of wild chimpanzees in North America. Their four island habitats are home to several generations of chimpanzees, which trace their roots back to east Africa. Though some of our chimpanzees are former house pets and actors, many have been born at Lion Country Safari and they are now all fully integrated into the complex social structure of each island troop and may be considered wild.

Field Trip Friday: Snook survey

Field biology class spent the afternoon with Fish and Wildlife biologists learning how to cast seine net and survey snook  in the Indian River Lagoon at the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. First, biologist Jim Whittington, gave students an overview of what and why they do snook surveys. The stock assessment report for common snook provides updated life histories, biology and fishery information, as well as commercial landings, recreational catch, and additional statistical information.

This class trip is always voted class favorite every year. Along with the FWC survey, students participated in a student thesis data collection project on e-Dna (environmental DNA). The student (Ryan Anderson) was collecting water samples to test out the practice of collecting e-Dna as a method for determining the presence of certain species in the water without having to catch or handle them directly.  Here are John, Will and Ryan braving the chilly water in the name of science!

The rest of the class went straight to the fish survey. They learned how to cast and haul in the net, separate and release fish, and how to measure are record data on the targeted snook species. Below is a short video and pictures of the class adventure. Along with Jim Whittington, Anderson Berry, Derek Cox and Joy Young all helped the students particpate in the snook surveys. 

Thanks to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institue for allowing us to participate and learn all about snook management and research. 

Dupuis Management Area field trip

Recently Wilkes Honors College Faculty went on a tour of The Dupuis Managent Area to investigate possible research opportunities for students.

The DuPuis Management Area is a 21,875-acre multi-use natural area located in northwestern Palm Beach and southwestern Martin counties. The property is interspersed with numerous ponds, wet prairies, cypress domes, pine flatwoods and remnant Everglades marsh. The area provides miles of hiking and horseback trails, an equestrian center, graded vehicle roads, backpack and group campsites and seasonal hunting. DuPuis is far from urban areas, and its dark night sky lends itself to excellent stargazing.

Kim Elliot, the Education and Training Coordinator for CES/FAU located at Dupuis, along with Loisa Kerwin, Assitant Director for CES/FAU gave a short presentation on the history, ecology and activities that are available at Dupuis. They highlighted the research done on the Red Cocaded Wooddpecker by The Florida Freshwater Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) scientist, Valerie Sparling. You can read about that here.

They treated us to a SWAMP BUGGY RIDE so we could get a close up view of the different habitats on the property. Here are a few shots of us preparing for the journey.

If you have never experienced a swamp buggy, don't worry I took video!

Dupuis is a great resource for so many acitivities. Here are a few more pics of the day. We got out and walked throught the cypress swamp. You can see the water line on the trunks of the trees. There is also a close up of the Florida Apple snail.

To end our tour we stopped at the public campground area. There are remnants of history there with the old hunting camp owned by John G. and Susan H. DuPuis, Jr. If you are up for an adventrue this is a great place to start. 

Field Trip Friday: Florida Oceanographic Society and CSA Ocean Sciences, Inc.

Field biology continues with a two for one field trip day! We visited the Florida Oceanographic Society and then CSA Ocean Sciences, Inc. in Stuart, FL.

Dr Vincent Encomio gave us an overview of his work with Oyster restoration and Dr. Katie Tiling [former Wilkes Honors College student and PhD alumnus from FAU] explained her work with seagrass restoration. Both explained the concept of living shorelines. Below is information about what we learned.

Florida Oceanographic Society     

The following information has been excerpted from their website.

The Florida Oceanographic Society is leading efforts in research, monitoring and restoring habitats in South Florida, particularly in the southern portion of the Indian River Lagoon. The Indian River Lagoon is North America’s most bio-diverse estuary, home to more than 4,300 species of plants and animals, including 36 rare and endangered species.

Oyster restoration

Vincent Encomio, PhD, Research Scientist, spearheads the effort to restore the oyster population devastated by fresh-water discharges into the estuary that began in 2005 and continues today! The oysters are critical to cleaning the water and providing habitat and food for up to 300 estuarine species.

The FL.O.O.R. (Florida Oceanographic Oyster Restoration) program actively engages the public in restoring oyster reef habitat. With the aid of thousands of volunteers, FL.O.O.R. restores oyster habitat by recycling shell, constructing reefs and growing oysters. 

Seagrass restoration

F.O.S.T.E.R.’s goal is to restore seagrass populations into our estuary impacted by fresh-water discharges and algal blooms. Seagrasses are vital to the health of Florida’s waterways as it provides habitat, nurseries, and food for a variety of estuarine species. In Florida, we have the highest seagrass biodiversity of the continental USA with seven species!

The F.O.S.T.E.R. program relies on community-based restoration efforts to restore seagrass habitat. With a growing volunteer base, F.O.S.T.E.R. restores seagrass by collecting and growing seagrass fragments in nurseries, constructing seagrass planting units, and transplanting living seagrass into the estuary.

Part two of our trip took us to CSA Ocean Sciences, Inc.  Mary Jo Barkaszi, who is the Marine Mammal Programs Manager gave us a company overview and then specifics of her work with marine mammal acoustics.

CSA Ocean Sciences, Inc [from their website]

CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA) specializes in multidisciplinary projects concerning potential environmental impacts of activities throughout the world and offers a wide variety of desktop and field survey services. CSA is headquartered in Stuart, Florida, with regional offices in Tampa, Florida; Houma, Louisiana; Salinas, California; Houston, Texas; Port-of-Spain, Trinidad; Doha, Qatar; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Perth, Australia.

          

OCEAN SOUND EXPERTISE

Ocean sound is a complex issue—CSA understands ocean sound. Whether it is detection and classification of marine species, noise measurement, sound propagation, predictive modeling, or soundscape characterization; we take the approach that one size does not fit all. CSA uses the best available science and technologies to develop risk-minimizing results with a suite of solutions from simple to complex. Ocean sound issues are large in scale both temporally and spatially, but also have many short-term, acute components, which is why CSA approaches this problem at a habitat or soundscape level. Ambient noise in the ocean will fluctuate greatly depending on both natural and man-made contributions within a region’s soundscape. Short-term measurements do not provide an accurate assessment of regional changes due to cumulative variations to sound levels, but can be useful in identifying specific contributors. To provide an accurate level of change detection, long-term monitoring is necessary in order to quantify the contributions of each source. At the same time, monitoring is required to ensure that the shorter-term, acute contributions are minimized. The timing of deployment is crucial in that the data collection occurring before, during, and after an influx of operations will provide the greatest return on the analysis. These acoustic data can be used to provide long-term information about the local soundscape and the activities that presently occur and, furthermore, can be used as a benchmark for comparison with a future soundscape.

Please follow the links to their website to learn about everything they are doing all over the world.

Field Trip Friday was again a huge success. It is interesting to find out what science is going on close to campus and the resources available to the students.