[mou] West Nile Virus and raptors, espcially captive ones

[Jim Williams]

forward by Jim Williams, Wayzata, Minnesota

From: stan moore <hawkman11@HOTMAIL.COM>
<ORNITH-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU>
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2003 14:13:09 +0000

Subject: forwarded message on West Nile Virus and raptors, espcially captive
ones
 
Dear NAFA (North American Falconers Association) Member:

You may  freely distribute this post to any concerned individuals,
 organizations or list services, as it affects the health and welfare of all
raptors.
 
 (From Dr. Pat Redig of the Raptor Center / University of Minnesota):

>> Since the middle of July, we have been experiencing an outbreak of West
>> Nile virus in Minnesota and surrounding regions.  Among wild birds, it has
>> affected primarily coopers hawks with an occasional great horned owl and
>> red-tailed hawk -- a pattern markedly different from last year when great
>> horned owls were hardest hit.  Of more importance to falconers and
>> breeders, we've experienced very significant occurrence of West Nile
>> infection in gyrfalcons and goshawks.  This outbreak has involved both
>> adults and eyasses.  All of the adult birds had been vaccinated last fall
>> and boostered again this spring with 0.5cc of the Fort Dodge Equine
>> vaccine. Two out of approximately 30 affected gyrfalcons have died; the
>> remainder quit eating for a few days, passed green mutes and exhibited mild
>> depression.  Three have gone on to develop aspergillosis
>> secondarily.  Among those without secondary complications, approximately 10
>> - 14 days of intensive supportive care (fluids, tube feeding,
>> anti-inflammatory drugs) has been effective in recovering them.  Among the
>> goshawks, mortality has been 100% despite efforts to provide supportive
>> care -- about half a dozen birds have been lost.
 
>> Work on the DNA vaccine is progressing slowly.  We've accumulated 20
>> healthy but permanently disabled red-tailed hawks that are negative for
>> West Nile for the study.  Just today, I received a batch of experimental
>> vaccine and we plan to begin testing it next week.  It will be the end of
>> September to know how well it works -- clearly nothing new will be
>> forthcoming in the meantime to provide immunizations for birds at risk this
>> year.
 
>> Despite the outbreak reported above, there has been little West Nile
>> activity elsewhere in the country.  Except for the one report of wild
>> peregrines in Virginia that were confirmed with West Nile, there have been
>> no other reports.  In one facility in which a number of birds died from
>> West Nile, peregrines housed on that site were not affected (nor had they
>> been vaccinated).  I believe that peregrines, for reasons unknown, are
>> largely unaffected by WNV.

>> Falconers with gyrs, goshawks, cooper's hawks and based on last year's
>> experience, Redtails and Harris hawks (I guess that just about covers most
>> of them) must be vigilant and take every precaution to protect their birds
>> from mosquitoes as we get into late summer, the peak of West Nile
>> activity.  Vaccination with the Fort Dodge inactivated equine vaccine is
>> still recommended.  Use a full 1 cc dose (except in smaller birds), give
>> two shots 3 weeks apart.  Despite the apparent failure of the vaccine cited
>> above, there are many more vaccinated birds in the risk area that have not,
>> to date, developed West Nile.
> 
>> As always, feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail if you have further
>> questions or concerns about your particular situation.
 
>> Patrick T. Redig DVM, Ph.D.,
>> Professor and Director
>> The Raptor Center - SACS
>> College of Veterinary Medicine
>> 1920 Fitch Avenue
>> St. Paul, MN  55108
 
>> Phone:  612-624-4969
>> Fax:  612-624-8740