KFF HEALTH NEWS – The funds will be used to increase surveillance and testing for the fatal prion disease that affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose. There has not been a documented human infection of chronic wasting disease. Plus: More cases of avian flu in mammals and wild birds.
CIDRAP: USDA Announces Funding For CWD Control, Prevention
The US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) late last week announced it will provide $12 million to state and tribal governments, research institutions, and universities to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD).
The money will boost surveillance, testing, management, and response activities for the fatal prion disease, which affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose. (Dall, 6/24)
In case you missed it: How CWD could affect humans —
The contagious, fatal illness in deer, elk and moose must be taken seriously, say experts as it takes hold in the US and reaches other countries. While it has not infected humans yet, the risk is growing. (Wilkinson, 3/20)
On bird flu and West Nile virus —
CIDRAP: USDA Reports More H5N1 Detections In Mammals, Wild Birds
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed more H5N1 avian flu detections in mammals and wild birds, as confirmations remain low in poultry and dairy cattle.Of four new H5 detections in mammals, two had recent collections dates, including a desert cottontail rabbit from Arizona’s Maricopa County, where the virus in May spurred large outbreaks at commercial egg-laying farms in mid-May through early June. The other is a red fox from Costilla County, Colorado, that was sampled on May 29. (Schnirring, 6/24)
Chicago Tribune: Public Health Confirms State’s First Human West Nile Case Of The Year
The first human case of West Nile virus in Illinois has been confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The state agency announced Tuesday evening that a southern Illinois resident tested positive for the virus after being hospitalized. This is the earliest in the year that a human case of West Nile has been observed in Illinois since 2016, officials said. (Weaver, 6/24)
More on climate and health —
ABC News: How Extreme Heat Impacts People With Mental Illness
As triple-digit temperatures hit the East Coast, individuals with a mental illness — specifically those who take prescribed medication — are at risk for heat intolerance, with psychiatric hospitalizations peaking in the summer months, according to experts.During heat waves or especially warm days, there is often an uptick in the frequency of psychiatric hospitalizations, with one study finding that “higher temperatures may trigger bipolar disorder relapses that require hospital admission, and higher expositions to sunlight may increase the risk of manic episodes.” (Forrester, 6/24)
AP: How To Manage Climate Anxiety And Build Resilience
Anxiety, grief, anger, fear, helplessness. The emotional toll of climate change is broad-ranging, especially for young people. Many worry about what the future holds, and a daily grind of climate anxiety and distress can lead to sleeplessness, an inability to focus and worse.Some young people wonder whether it’s moral to bring children into the world. Many people grieve for the natural world. Activists, climate psychologists and others in the fight against climate change have a range of ways to build resilience and help manage emotions. (Italie, 6/25)
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