Minnesota identifies CWD in Washington County deer for first time

News brief
Topics
Chronic Wasting Disease
White-tailed doe in woods
Shane Kemp / Flickr cc

A deer found near Stillwater, in Washington County, Minnesota, has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), marking the first case for that county, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced yesterday.

A landowner reported the sick doe to the DNR, who retrieved it and had it tested after it died on July 16. The positive result was confirmed this week.

“This discovery near Stillwater is unfortunate and highlights the importance of the public’s awareness of and ability to report sick deer, as well as our protocol to have these deer tested for CWD,” Michelle Carstensen, PhD, DNR Wildlife Health Program supervisor, said in the news release.

CWD, a neurodegenerative disease that affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose, is always fatal. More than two-thirds of US states have reported cases since the disease was first identified in Colorado in 1967.

DNR moves to 4-year rotational surveillance 

Deer permit area (DPA) 236, where the deer was found, is about 30 miles from the closest confirmed CWD cases in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The discovery will trigger the DNR’s CWD response plan for the area.

This discovery near Stillwater is unfortunate and highlights the importance of the public’s awareness of and ability to report sick deer, as well as our protocol to have these deer tested for CWD.

Michelle Carstensen, PhD

“Multiple management actions are designed to help mitigate disease spread, including a deer feeding and attractants ban and, where appropriate, increased hunting opportunities with increased bag limits,” the release said. “The Minnesota DNR is working on what the surveillance response will be to the new detection near Stillwater.”

The DNR said it is shifting to four-year rotational surveillance, dividing the state into quadrants. Each year, the DNR will require hunters in one quadrant to test all deer aged 1 year and older harvested during firearms opening weekend. This year, that will occur in the southwest quadrant.

The department moved to this model to better identify areas affected by CWD. While previous sampling near endemic areas has successfully monitored transmission, nearly two-thirds of the state hasn’t been surveilled in more than 20 years, the DNR said.

Chipotle restaurants pull jalapeños linked to Salmonella outbreak in Minnesota

News brief
Topics
Salmonella
Foodborne Disease

salmo
TopMicrobialStock / iStock

Jalapeños served at Chipotle restaurants in Minnesota have been linked to at least 110 infections of Salmonella Javiana, according to both the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and a statement from the fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain. 

“We immediately initiated our ingredient traceability system and were able to identify jalapeños as a potential common ingredient from a common lot, and the restaurants where it was distributed,” Chipotle said in a statement issued yesterday. “Out of an abundance of caution, we proactively removed the jalapeños from our restaurants and replaced them with product from different growers.”

Among the 84 patients interviewed by Minnesota investigators, 75 reported eating at Chipotle before getting sick, with symptom onset between June 14 and July 14.

MDH senior epidemiologist supervisor Carlota Medus, PhD, MPH, told The Wall Street Journal that jalapeños are the suspected vehicle for the bacteria. Medus also said it’s likely the jalapeños were served at other Mexican-style quick-service restaurants.

Medus told other media outlets it was too soon to tell if the outbreak was ongoing but was encouraged by Chipotle’s cooperation. 

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