Awareness in Agriculture Recognizing and Responding to Infectious Diseases

The Goal Responding to symptoms, not memorizing diseases.

Symptoms That May Spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E Blisters Neurological Disorders

Blisters Blisters mean: Blisters mean: –Vesicular disease Vesicle means: Vesicle means: –a small sac or cyst, especially one containing fluid

Vesicular diseases Foot and Mouth Disease Foot and Mouth Disease Swine Vesicular Disease Swine Vesicular Disease Hog Cholera Hog Cholera African Swine Fever African Swine Fever Vesicular Stomatitis Vesicular Stomatitis African Horse Sickness African Horse Sickness

Alternative Diagnosis Other sources of blisters Other sources of blisters –Bovine Viral Diarrhea –Blister Beetles Two unruptured vesicles on a bovine tongue.

What To Do?

Neurological Disorders Staggering Staggering Change in personality Change in personality Disorientation Disorientation Vocalization Vocalization

Encephalitis Victims Eastern Encephalitis Eastern Encephalitis –Horses, birds, humans Western Encephalitis Western Encephalitis –Horses, birds, humans Venezuelan Encephalitis Venezuelan Encephalitis –Horses, birds, humans West Nile Virus West Nile Virus –Horses, birds, humans Rabies Rabies –All mammals

A Really Serious Symptom Sudden Death

Anthrax Sheep Sheep Cattle Cattle Horses Horses Pigs Pigs Mink Mink Cats Cats Dogs Dogs

Anthrax Acts In Different Ways Ruminants Ruminants –Sudden death often the only sign –If other symptoms do occur, you might see:  fever and excitement  depression, stupor, disorientation, muscle tremors, dyspnea, abortion, congested mucous membranes  bloody discharges from the nose, mouth and anus –You might also see widespread swellings –In other cases, you may see staggering, trembling and dyspnea, followed by rapid collapse, terminal convulsions and death

Anthrax in Horses Live up to a week Live up to a week Symptoms include: Symptoms include: –Fever –Chills –Depression –Severe colic –Bloody diarrhea –Swellings

Pigs with Anthrax Sudden death may be the only symptom Sudden death may be the only symptom Many pigs have mild chronic infections characterized by swelling, fever and enlarged lymph nodes Many pigs have mild chronic infections characterized by swelling, fever and enlarged lymph nodes –These pigs generally recover Some pigs develop progressive swelling of the throat, with dyspnea and difficulty swallowing Some pigs develop progressive swelling of the throat, with dyspnea and difficulty swallowing – These animals may suffocate Intestinal involvement, with anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, is less common Intestinal involvement, with anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, is less common

Anthrax Symptoms In Other Animals Show symptoms similar to pigs Show symptoms similar to pigs –Dogs –Cats –Wild carnivores

Other Diagnosis In Sudden Death Cases Acute bloat Acute bloat Blackleg Blackleg Black Disease Black Disease Malignant Edema Malignant Edema Toxin Toxin Lightning strike Lightning strike

Don’t Rule Out Anthrax Non-historical anthrax premises should not be excluded Non-historical anthrax premises should not be excluded Down animals should not be slaughtered for human consumption unless the cause of illness can be clearly identified Down animals should not be slaughtered for human consumption unless the cause of illness can be clearly identified

Human Anthrax Three forms: Three forms: –Cutaneous  5 to 25 percent fatal if untreated –Intestinal  Almost always fatal if untreated, treatment may be too late –Pulmonary  Almost always fatal if untreated, treatment may be too late

Presentation Theme Call the State Veterinarian! Dr. Susan Keller

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