QUARTERLY REPORTSRAPPORTS TRIMESTRIELES

QUARTER 4 - 2017 (OCT 1 - DEC 31)Trimestre 4 - 2017 (1 octobre – 31 décembre)

Numbers are correct as of Jan 15, 2018Ces nombres ont été mis à jour le 15 janvier 2018

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY REGIONAnimaux soumis par région

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY PROVINCEAnimaux soumis par province

NOTE: Not all provinces submit animals to the CWHC for testing.Seulement certaines provinces soumettent des animaux au RCSF pour des tests.

CAUSE OF DEATHCAUSE DE MORTALITÉ

NOTE: An additional 211 cases submitted to CWHC in this quarter are still pending cause of death determination; 151 birds, 53 mammals, and 7 other species. ‘Other’ diagnoses include neoplastic, metabolic, and degenerative diseases as well as those cases where no cause of death could be determined.Dans 211 autres cas soumis au RCSF pendant ce trimestre, la cause de mortalité n’a pas encore été déterminée, à savoir chez 151 oiseaux, 53 mammifères et 7 autres espèces. La catégorie de diagnostic « autre » inclut les maladies néoplasiques, métaboliques et dégénératives ainsi que les cas où la cause de mortalité n’a pu être déterminée.

SELECTED DISEASE COUNTSNOMBRE DE CAS DE CERTAINES MALADIES SÉLECTIONNÉES

NOTE: The cases reported above represent the data that are currently available in the CWHC database and should be considered preliminary. These data do not include all diagnostic testing for the selected pathogens carried out in Canada; additional testing is performed by other agencies and organisations. Examined refers to any candidate species for this disease. Testing is not always performed, unless the disease is suspected during necropsy or histological examination.Les cas rapportés ci-haut représentent les données actuellement disponibles dans la base de données du RCSF. Il s’agit de données préliminaires. Ces données ne couvrent pas l’ensemble des tests diagnostiques entourant les pathogènes sélectionnés puisque des tests sont aussi effectués par d’autres agences et organisations canadiennes. « Examiné » réfère à toute espèce candidate relativement à la maladie. On ne procède pas toujours à des tests ; on attend parfois que la présence d’une maladie soit présumée suite à une nécropsie ou à un examen histologique.

DIAGNOSTIC HIGHLIGHTSFAITS SAILLANTS EN MATIÈRE DE DIAGNOSTIC

WILDLIFE HEALTH TRACKERSUIVI DE LA SANTÉ DE LA FAUNE

FEATURED PROJECTPROJET VEDETTE

QUARTER 3 - 2017 (JUL 1 - SEP 30)Trimestre 3 - 2017 (1^er juillet – 30 septembre)

Numbers are correct as of Oct 16, 2017Ces nombres ont été mis à jour le 16 octobre 2017

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY REGIONAnimaux soumis par région

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY PROVINCEAnimaux soumis par province

NOTE : Not all provinces submit animals to the CWHC for testing.Seulement certaines provinces soumettent des animaux au RCSF pour des tests.

CAUSE OF DEATHCAUSE DE MORTALITÉ

NOTE: An additional 392 cases submitted to CWHC in this quarter are still pending cause of death determination; 313 birds, 68 mammals, and 11 other species. ‘Other’ diagnoses include neoplastic, metabolic, and degenerative diseases as well as those cases where no cause of death could be determined.Dans 392 autres cas soumis au RCSF pendant ce trimestre, la cause de mortalité n’a pas encore été déterminée, à savoir chez 313 oiseaux, 68 mammifères et 11 autres espèces. La catégorie de diagnostic « autre » inclut les maladies néoplasiques, métaboliques et dégénératives ainsi que les cas où la cause de mortalité n’a pu être déterminée.

SELECTED DISEASE COUNTSNOMBRE DE CAS DE CERTAINES MALADIES SÉLECTIONNÉES

NOTE: The cases reported above represent the data that are currently available in the CWHC database and should be considered preliminary. These data do not include all diagnostic testing for the selected pathogens carried out in Canada; additional testing is performed by other agencies and organisations. Examined refers to any candidate species for this disease. Testing is not always performed, unless the disease is suspected during necropsy or histological examination.Les cas rapportés ci-haut représentent les données actuellement disponibles dans la base de données du RCSF. Il s’agit de données préliminaires. Ces données ne couvrent pas l’ensemble des tests diagnostiques entourant les pathogènes sélectionnés puisque des tests sont aussi effectués par d’autres agences et organisations canadiennes. « Examiné » réfère à toute espèce candidate relativement à la maladie. On ne procède pas toujours à des tests ; on attend parfois que la présence d’une maladie soit présumée suite à une nécropsie ou à un examen histologique.

DIAGNOSTIC HIGHLIGHTSFAITS SAILLANTS EN MATIÈRE DE DIAGNOSTIC

WILDLIFE HEALTH TRACKERSUIVI DE LA SANTÉ DE LA FAUNE

FEATURED PROJECTPROJET VEDETTE

QUARTER 2 - 2017 (APR 1 - JUN 30)

Numbers are correct as of July 21, 2017

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY REGION

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY PROVINCE

NOTE: Not all provinces submit animals to the CWHC for testing.

CAUSE OF DEATH

NOTE: An additional 285 cases submitted to CWHC in this quarter are still pending cause of death determination; 169 birds, 111 mammals, and 5 other species. ‘Other’ diagnoses include neoplastic, metabolic, and degenerative diseases as well as those cases where no cause of death could be determined.

SELECTED DISEASE COUNTS

NOTE: The cases reported above represent the data that are currently available in the CWHC database and should be considered preliminary. These data do not include all diagnostic testing for the selected pathogens carried out in Canada; additional testing is performed by other agencies and organisations. Examined refers to any candidate species for this disease. Testing is not always performed, unless the disease is suspected during necropsy or histological examination.

DIAGNOSTIC HIGHLIGHTS

Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative’s 25 Year AGM and Workshop

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. In June, CWHC-National hosted the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the Annual Workshop at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, SK.

Representatives from each of the five CWHC-RCSF regional centres joined the staff of the National office at the AGM to discuss the development of the Wildlife Health Intelligence Platform and important cases from each of the regions.

In addition to the CWHC-RCSF members who had attended the AGM, the Annual Workshop was well attended by representatives from partner organizations, wildlife health and management practitioners, educators, and students. The workshop featured talks from current and retired members of the CWHC-RCSF, partners and associates from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, provincial government agencies, Parks Canada, and from the USGS’s National Wildlife Health Center.

Read more about some of the highlights from the CWHC’s past 25 years:
http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/co-operative-spirit-key-wildlife-health-groups-25-year-success/

WILDLIFE HEALTH TRACKER

White nose syndrome moves northwest

Identification of white nose syndrome in two northern long-eared bats from Red Lake Ontario marks the most northern case of white nose syndrome in North America and the most western case in Canada.

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/white-nose-syndrome-moves-northwest/

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Cysts observed along the outer surface of the digestive tract of lake whitefish caught from Primrose Lake Alberta were identified as having been caused by parasitic nematode, alleviating fears of potential mercury contamination.

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/a-case-of-mistaken-identity-fish-and-their-parasitic-friends/

Tularemia in Saskatoon

Tularemia was diagnosed in a white-tailed jack rabbit and a red squirrel found in urban Saskatoon parks.

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/tularemia-diagnoses-urban-parks-saskatoon-saskatchewan-canada/

Tumorous testes cause antler abnormalities

Deformed antlers of a deceased moose collected in Saskatchewan appear to have resulted from Sertoli cell tumors in the testes of the animal.

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/tumorous-testes-cause-antler-abnormalities/

FEATURED PROJECT

Massive efforts to understand giant losses

The spring of 2017 has been marred by an unprecedented number of whale deaths in Atlantic Canada and Québec. Staff of CWHC-Atlantic and CWHC-Québec have been integral to the efforts to determine the causes of death of these animals, in some cases traveling to remote areas and working in inclement conditions to complete important necropsies.

In May, staff from CWHC-Atlantic helped lead necropsies on a blue whale that washed ashore near Liverpool, Nova Scotia and on a Sowerby’s beaked whale on Sable Island, Nova Scotia; and CWHC-Québec conducted a necropsy on a stranded humpback whale in Godbout, Québec.

In the month of June, six right whales were found dead and floating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Collaborating with the Marine Animal Response Society, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Canadian Coast Guard, staff from CWHC-Atlantic traveled to the floating carcasses in order to procure initial samples. Later in the month three of the whale carcasses were dragged ashore on PEI by the Canadian Coast Guard. A collaborative effort among CWHC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Marine Animal Response Society, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Université de Montréal, Marine Mammal Commission, and the government of BC resulted in successful necropsies of the three animals in as many days.

Also in June, staff from CWHC-Québec collaborated with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Marine Animal Response Society, Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and the Vancouver Aquarium among many others in order to capture and relocate a young male beluga that had become trapped in a small portion of the Nepisiguit River, New Brunswick. The beluga was successfully relocated to the St. Lawrence Estuary proximal to a pod of other belugas. Prior to release, the young beluga was fitted with a transmitter that allowed for the movements of the animal to be monitored until contact was lost in early July.

Blog Articles:
http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/cwhc-quebec-performs-a-necropsy-on-a-humpback-whale-found-stranded-in-godbout-quebec/

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/cwhc-atlantic-introduces-wildlife-pathologist-dr-laura-bourque/

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/cwhc-atlantic-performs-blue-whale-necropsy/

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/sauvetage-dun-beluga-egare-lequipe-de-veterinaire-du-rcsf-quebec-se-mobilise/

QUARTER 1 - 2017 (JAN 1 - MAR 31)

Numbers are correct as of April 18, 2017

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY REGION

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY PROVINCE

NOTE: Not all provinces submit animals to the CWHC for testing.

CAUSE OF DEATH

NOTE: An additional 103 cases submitted to CWHC in this quarter are still pending cause of death determination; 67 birds, 30 mammals, and 6 other species. ‘Other’ diagnoses include neoplastic, metabolic, and degenerative diseases as well as those cases where no cause of death could be determined.

SELECTED DISEASE COUNTS

NOTE: The cases reported above represent the data that are currently available in the CWHC database and should be considered preliminary. These data do not include all diagnostic testing for the selected pathogens carried out in Canada; additional testing is performed by other agencies and organisations. Examined refers to any candidate species for this disease. Testing is not always performed, unless the disease is suspected during necropsy or histological examination.

DIAGNOSTIC HIGHLIGHTS

White nose syndrome surveillance

The CWHC’s national white nose syndrome surveillance continues to monitor for the presence of the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) in hibernating bats. Between January 1 and March 31st 2017 a total of 13 bats have been examined from across Canada. Of the specimens tested one bat in Saskatchewan has tested negative and two have tested positive in Ontario. These positive test results from Ontario have identified the presence of WNS in a county where it had not previously been observed. The remaining specimens from New Brunswick, PEI, and Saskatchewan are pending results. To be considered positive for white nose syndrome bats must exhibit histologic lesions and Pd must be identified through PCR techniques or through fungal culture.

Read more about our WNS program and the disease itself here: http://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/surveillance_data_wns.php

WILDLIFE HEALTH TRACKER

Crows in the snow

Since 2004 there have been observations of crows on their winter roosts in Ontario dying from necrotizing enteritis and splenitis caused by Reovirus.

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/crow-in-the-snow-a-wintery-tale-of-reoviruses/

Unknowns of the Arctic

A mass die-off of caribou observed in Nunavut in 2016 has sparked interest in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae as a pathogen of importance to animal health in the north. 

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/attempting-to-understand-an-unknown-of-the-arctic/

The Canadian Wild Pig project

In February 2017, a team from CWHC Western/Northern and Alberta Regional Centres collaborated with Dr. Ryan Brook on the Canadian Wild Pig Project, in order to examine the health of wild pigs in Saskatchewan.

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/come-together-right-now-over-pigs/
http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/researchers-boar-ecology-health-wild-pigs/

BC Bighorn Sheep

In February 2017 a female bighorn sheep in BC was euthanized after exhibiting unusual behavior and showing signs of infection. Post-mortem examination found the animal was suffering from an infection from ovine Parapoxvirus.

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/a-bighorn-sheep-in-baaaaaaa-d-condition/

FEATURED PROJECT

Dissecting animal health

In February 2017, the Western/Northern and Atlantic Regional Centres conducted necropsy courses at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, and at the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of PEI, respectively. These courses utilized specimens of opportunity in order to teach general anatomy, proper necropsy techniques, and indicators of animal health.

The course conducted by our Western/Northern centre was intended to teach government conservation officers and biologists from the Ministry of Environment and Parks Canada. Our Atlantic centre conducted a course focused on teaching students from the Wildlife Conservation Technology course at Holland College in PEI.

These hands on courses help train our partners operating in the field and educate students who may one day become wildlife health and conservation specialists. These courses help inform our existing and future partners about wildlife health issues and provide them with training in conducting important health assessments of wild animals found dead.

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/dissecting-animal-health-cwhc-westernnorthern-hosts-necropsy-course/
http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/5765-2/

QUARTER 4 - 2016 (OCT 1 - DEC 31)

Numbers are correct as of January 16, 2017

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY REGION

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY PROVINCE

NOTE: Not all provinces submit animals to the CWHC for testing.

CAUSE OF DEATH

NOTE: An additional 175 cases submitted to CWHC in this quarter are still pending cause of death determination; 87 birds, 72 mammals, and 16 other species. ‘Other’ diagnoses include neoplastic, metabolic, and degenerative diseases as well as those cases where no cause of death could be determined.

SELECTED DISEASE COUNTS

NOTE: The cases reported above represent the data that are currently available in the CWHC database and should be considered preliminary. These data do not include all diagnostic testing for the selected pathogens carried out in Canada; additional testing is performed by other agencies and organisations. Examined refers to any candidate species for this disease. Testing is not always performed, unless the disease is suspected during necropsy or histological examination.

DIAGNOSTIC HIGHLIGHTS

Chronic wasting disease in Saskatchewan

In association with Ministry of Environment, the CWHC Western/Northern region at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine has been conducting targeted and scanning surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) among cervid species for the past 20 years. With close to 46,000 cases examined the CWHC has tracked the geographic and species spread of this disease across Saskatchewan. In 2016 approximately 300 animals were examined, 32 of which were positive for CWD including animals from new geographic locations in Saskatchewan. In addition to surveillance the CWHC is also involved in research aimed at providing additional management options to promote healthy deer, elk and moose populations in this region.

Read more about our CWD program and the disease itself

http://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/cwd.php

WILDLIFE HEALTH TRACKER

On the Bighorns of a Dilemma: wild and domestic sheep in BC

Since early last century and maybe before, a correlation between the introduction of domestic sheep and declines in bighorn sheep populations were noted.  Pneumonia outbreaks resulting in 30-90% mortality in previously healthy bighorn sheep populations were often followed by years of poor lamb recruitment.  Despite decades of research into the causes of these die-offs, it is only recently that researchers were able to find convincing evidence of at least one trigger, a species of bacteria, Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae.

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/bighorns-dilemma-wild-domestic-sheep-bc/

Building Northern capacity to monitor wildlife health aims to protect seal, caribou and narwhal resources

The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) is partnering with the University of Calgary and the University of Prince Edward Island to launch two projects to build community capacity in wildlife health surveillance in the Canadian Arctic, combining indigenous and scientific knowledge to conserve wildlife and protect food security and safety in the Arctic.

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/building-northern-capacity-to-monitor-wildlife-health-aims-to-protect-seal-caribou-and-narwhal-resources/

Dolphin strandings in Québec & Atlantic Canada this fall

Several stranding events involving white-sided dolphins were documented in the Gulf of St. Lawrence during the two first weeks of October by the Réseau québécois d’urgences pour les mammiféres marins and the Marine Animal Response Society. Over that period, multiple white-sided dolphins stranded alive on Anticosti Island.

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/dolphin-strandings-in-quebec-atlantic-canada-this-fall/

Canada well represented at North American Symposium for Bat Research

From October 12 to 15, hundreds of North American bat researchers came together in San Antonio, Texas, to present their latest discoveries in the world of bats at the North American Symposium for Bat Research (NASBR). Canada was well represented at this symposium and multiple Canadian students even won prestigious awards for the presentation of their research.

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/canada-well-represented-at-north-american-symposium-for-bat-research/

FEATURED PROJECT

Wildlife Health Intelligence Platform

The CWHC is pleased to announce that the development of our next generation of wildlife health information software is under development.

In the last 25 years, approximately 500,000 animals have passed through the hands of CWHC staff for either a diagnostic assessment or testing for a specific disease. That information is stored in a centralized national database, which enables wildlife health professionals to store and access their own data and view similar data from across Canada.

The current system is designed with this data storage and access focus in mind. Our new system is designed to take the next step and help transform data into knowledge so that it is more useful to more people and more responsive to emerging questions and scenarios. In addition to diagnostic and testing data, the system will handle observational data (e.g. citizen science) and external sources of data in a bid to broaden our scope of knowledge and provide a better tool set for decisions makers in a wildlife health context.

CWHC recently received funding from Agriculture Canada and Agri-food Canada to speed up the development of this new platform and we anticipate that the new system will be ready for beta testing in January of 2018 with a full release scheduled for March 30 of 2018.

The new Wildlife Health Intelligence Platform (WHIP) will allow the CWHC to grow its reputation as the international standard for national wildlife health programs.

QUARTER 3 - 2016 (JUL 1 - SEP 30)

Numbers are correct as of Oct 17, 2016

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY REGION

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY PROVINCE

NOTE: Not all provinces submit animals to the CWHC for testing.

CAUSE OF DEATH

NOTE: An additional 190 cases submitted to CWHC in this quarter are still pending cause of death determination; 124 birds, 55 mammals, and 11 other species. ‘Other’ diagnoses include neoplastic, metabolic, and degenerative diseases as well as those cases where no cause of death could be determined.

SELECTED DISEASE COUNTS

NOTE: The cases reported above represent the data that are currently available in the CWHC database and should be considered preliminary. These data do not include all diagnostic testing for the selected pathogens carried out in Canada; additional testing is performed by other agencies and organisations. Examined refers to any candidate species for this disease. Testing is not always performed, unless the disease is suspected during necropsy or histological examination.

DIAGNOSTIC HIGHLIGHTS

Discovery of Whirling Disease in Canada

• In August 2016, Parks Canada noted some brook trout (Salvelinus fontainalis) with suspicious swimming behaviour at Johnson Lake in Banff National Park.
• The BC Animal Health Centre/CWHC BC diagnosed the fish with the first known Canadian case of whirling disease, a parasitic infection caused by Myxobolus cerebralis.
• The parasite infects the bony tissues of the head, vertebra and fins of salmonids causing the characteristic whirling swimming pattern.
• The disease can cause significant mortalities in fish populations.

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/discovery-of-whirling-disease-in-canada/

Trichomonosis now in Ontario as well as Atlantic Canada

• Further to the cases of trichomonosis diagnosed in PEI this spring, more purple finches, goldfinches and pine siskins with trichomonosis infections were seen in Newfoundland, New Brunswick and eastern Ontario, indicating the disease may be spreading in Canadian finches.
• Trichomonosis is an infectious disease caused by a parasite that causes lesions in the throat.  Affected birds may drool, regurgitate, have difficulty swallowing or breathing.  Emaciation is common.
• Bird feeders and baths can be sites of transmission for the parasite.  A new factsheet is available for download to raise awareness of this disease in feeder birds. http://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/fact_sheets.php

 Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/parasite-infects-atlantic-finches/

WILDLIFE HEALTH TRACKER

CWD detected near Edmonton

This is the furthest west the disease has been documented in Canada. The province of BC is asking hunters to be on alert and submit heads for testing, as early detection is key.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/local+news/discovery+chronic+wasting+disease+near+edmonton+real+concern/12171918/story.html

A batty summer in SK

An unusual number of bats were submitted to CWHC Western/Northern this summer.  Most were healthy juvenile bats. Education is required to help the public deal with bats on their property in a safe and bat-friendly way.

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/a-batty-summer-in-saskatchewan/

Hunters contribute to wildlife health

Hunters are best placed to make critical observations of unusual behaviours or mortality events in wildlife.  The CWHC encourages hunters to report what they see and submit samples.

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/hunters-contribute-to-wildlife-health-surveillance/

Alveolar hydatid disease in a chipmunk

CWHC Ontario discovered a chipmunk filled with hydatid cysts due to an Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm infection.  This parasite is only recently discovered in Southern Ontario.

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/alveolar-hydatid-disease-in-a-chipmunk/

FEATURED PROJECT

Assessing Beluga Health in the Beaufort Sea

In July 2016, a team including veterinarians from the CWHC Québec and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans partnered with Inuvialuit hunters from Tuktoyaktuk, NWT  to perform health assessments on belugas whales harvested in the Beaufort Sea.  

Complete necropsies were carried out, samples taken for histological examination, assessment for parasites, blood chemistry, contaminants, genetics, dietary studies and screening for other infectious agents.

The results will be shared directly with communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region providing information on the safety and security of the Beaufort beluga population as a food source.

This is part of a long-term monitoring project that involves many partners including the Fisheries Joint Management Committee & the University of Saskatchewan.

QUARTER 2 - 2016 (APR 1 - JUN 30)

Numbers are correct as of July 21, 2016

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY REGION

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY PROVINCE

NOTE: Not all provinces submit animals to the CWHC for testing.

CAUSE OF DEATH

NOTE: An additional 102 cases submitted to CWHC in this quarter are still pending cause of death determination; 48 birds, 47 mammals, and 7 other species. ‘Other’ diagnoses include neoplastic, metabolic, and degenerative diseases as well as those cases where no cause of death could be determined.

SELECTED DISEASE COUNTS

NOTE: The cases reported above represent the data that are currently available in the CWHC database and should be considered preliminary. These data do not include all diagnostic testing for the selected pathogens carried out in Canada; additional testing is performed by other agencies and organisations. Examined refers to any candidate species for this disease. Testing is not always performed, unless the disease is suspected during necropsy or histological examination.

DIAGNOSTIC HIGHLIGHTS

Death by dinner: Barred Owl vs. rough-skinned newt

• In April, a Barred Owl (Strix varia) was submitted to the BC Animal Health Centre, home of the BC node of the CWHC.  The owl was emaciated and had a mostly-intact rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) in its proventriculus (the avian equivalent of a stomach).
• Rough-skinned newts are extremely toxic, producing a type of tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin most famously occuring in pufferfish.  Most newts can produce enough toxin to kill 25,000 mice, earning them the title of the most toxic amphibian in the Pacific Northwest.
• Because they are so toxic, rough-skinned newts are highly unusual prey for most animals. In this case, the owl was severely emaciated, so perhaps starvation drove it to eat this highly unusual prey-item.

Read more

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/death-by-dinner/

Trichomonosis in PEI finches

• In June 2016, residents reported unusual mortalities of purple finches (Carpodacus purpureus) in several areas of PEI.  Carcasses were submitted to the Atlantic Region of the CWHC where a diagnosis of Trichomonosis was confirmed. 
• Trichomonosis is an infectious disease caused by the Trichomonas parasite.  Due to lesions in the throat, affected birds may drool, regurgitate, have difficulty swallowing or show laboured breathing.  Emaciation is common.
• Rarely diagnosed in the past, it is increasing common in finch populations in Atlantic Canada.  Trichomonosis in the United Kingdom is associated with significant population declines in some finch species.
• The disease is transmitted by feeding regurgitated food to young during the breeding season and by contaminated food and water.  Bird feeders are a common site of transmission.
• CWHC engaged with nature and birding organizations in PEI on social media to raise awareness of the disease and recommend temporary removal of bird feeders and feeder disinfection.  Reports of dead or sick finches is recommended to better understand the impacts of the disease.

 Read more

https://www.facebook.com/islandnaturetrust/posts/1149891988405372?comment_id=1152776871450217&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R2%22%7D

WILDLIFE HEALTH TRACKER

BC responds to threat of White-nose syndrome

Since white-nose syndrome was discovered in Washington State, BC has ramped up monitoring efforts.  A network of community bat projects have been submitting bat mortalities.  Recent tests of 24 bats were negative for P. destructans.  Surveillance will continue as it is critical to detect entry of the fungus into the province early so as to slow the spread of the disease.

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/british-columbia-responds-to-threat-of-white-nose-syndrome/

First European detections of Chronic Wasting Disease in reindeer and moose.

A wild reindeer was discovered with CWD in Norway in April 2016. This was the first documented case in a wild reindeer and in Europe.  In May and June, two moose almost 300km from the reindeer, were also confirmed to have the disease.  The spread of CWD in Europe is concerning as once the disease is established it has proven near impossible to eradicate.  What is of grave concern to Canadians, is the occurrence of CWD in a wild reindeer which indicates that CWD (currently well known in Saskatchewan deer) could spread to Canada's caribou populations many of which are already at risk

http://www.vetinst.no/sykdom-og-agens/chronic-wasting-disease/the-first-detection-of-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-in-europe
http://www.nature.com/news/deadly-animal-prion-disease-appears-in-europe-1.19759

CWHC engaging with trappers

Parasites can have an impact on wildlife health but also can reduce the quality and value of pelts. There is concern that dog louse is increasing, particularly in coyotes, leading to animals with "shoulder patches", where guard hairs are damaged by chronic scratching.  Lice are not a cause of mortality, but studies suggest that severely infested canids have a higher probability of contracting other diseases. The CWHC is building partnerships with trappers and the fur industry to monitor parasites and other diseases of interest.
http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/wildlife-diseases/documents/LiceCoyotes-Sep-2015.pdf
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/about/divisions/wildlifeconservation/pdfs/reports/fy14_14.25_control_infestation_of_dog_louse_in_gray_wolves.pdf

2015 a tough year for black bears

The BC Animal Health Centre noticed high numbers of cub abandonments and stunted growth in black bears in 2015.  Investigations suggest that a significant number were infected with an apicomplexan parasite, Sarcocystis spp. The parasite may have affected feeding and increased risk of trauma for the bears.  This combined with poor berry crops may have lead to malnutrition and an increased tendency to abandon cubs.

http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/why-was-2015-a-tough-year-for-bcs-young-black-bears/

FEATURED PROJECT

Health Intelligence for the modern age

CWHC Ontario/Nunavut in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University and the CWHC National Office are currently developing and piloting a web-based reporting tool that aims to enhance wildlife disease surveillance in Ontario. It is important to incorporate wildlife health and disease knowledge into domestic animal and public health planning and disease management. Web-based reporting of wildlife mortality and morbidity events in wildlife populations will enable us to fill important gaps in our disease surveillance activities.

There are 3 main components to this project: 1) development of the tool; 2) piloting the tool with select groups of hunters and biologists; and 3) assessment of the tool as a way to enhance ongoing wildlife disease surveillance activities in Ontario. Our long term goals are to adapt and distribute the tool for use by other groups with interest in wildlife health and disease and explore options to link this tool with other wildlife related citizen science initiatives.

This project was partially funded by the OMAFRA-University of Guelph Strategic Partnership, under the Disease Surveillance Plan, which is a joint federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 project.

QUARTER 1 - 2016 (JAN 1 - MAR 31)

Numbers are correct as of April 18, 2016

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY REGION

ANIMALS SUBMITTED BY PROVINCE

NOTE: Not all provinces submit animals to the CWHC for testing.

CAUSE OF DEATH

NOTE: An additional 34 cases submitted to CWHC in this quarter are still pending cause of death determination; 16 birds, 15 mammals, and 3 other species. ‘Other’ diagnoses include neoplastic, metabolic, and degenerative diseases as well as those cases where no cause of death could be determined.

SELECTED DISEASE COUNTS