RAVEN ALERT LEVEL-LOCAL/RGN Biological Hazard in USA on Friday, 01 August, 2014 at 20:06 (08:06 PM) UTC. Description Anthrax has been confirmed in South Dakota livestock for the 1st time this year [2014]. State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven has confirmed that a herd of unvaccinated bison in Dewey County was found to be infected on 31 Jul 2014. Anthrax is a very serious disease of livestock because it may cause the rapid loss of a large number of animals with in a very short time. Affected animals are often found dead with no prior illness detected. Strict enforcement of quarantines and proper burning and burying of carcasses from livestock suspected to have died from anthrax is important to prevent further soil contamination with the bacterial spores. Dr Oedekoven reports that anthrax spores survive indefinitely in contaminated soil and that much of South Dakota has the potential of experiencing an outbreak. Significant climate change, such as drought, floods and winds, can expose anthrax spores to grazing livestock. Alkaline soils, high humidity and high temperatures present conditions for anthrax spores to vegetate and become infectious to grazing livestock. Producers across the state should consult their veterinarians and vaccinate livestock, if deemed appropriate. Dr. Oedekoven advises livestock producers in the Dewey County area to continue to annually vaccinate cattle and other livestock for the next several years. Biohazard name: Anthrax (bison) Biohazard level: 4/4 Hazardous Biohazard desc.: Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release. Symptoms: Status: confirmed
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 05:38:55 +0000
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