Exhibitions of Birds Cancelled for 2015 Season

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced its directive to cancel all bird exhibitions at county fairs, the State Fair, and other gatherings of birds. The Board’s directive is effective through the end of 2015 and also prohibits birds from being included in swap meets, exotic sales, and petting zoos.

What this means locally is that there will be no poultry or other birds at any county fair, including petting zoos, in  the State of Mn. Including the Counties of Norman, Polk. Mahnomen, Clay, Clearwater or Beltrami.

Health officials investigate E. coli O157 infections at pumpkin patch petting zoo

Three Minnesota residents have become ill with confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections after contact with animals at Dehn's Pumpkins in Dayton, MN, the Minnesota Department of Health reported today.

The three cases were all children, ranging in age from 15 months to 7 years and are residents of the Twin Cities metro area. One child is hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of an E. coli infection characterized by kidney failure. The others were not hospitalized and are recovering. Routine monitoring by the health department identified the E. coli O157:H7 cases, which all have bacterial isolates with the same DNA fingerprint. These cases visited the farm on October 12 or 13, and became ill on October 16 or 18.

The Minnesota Department of Health is in the process of following up with any groups that visited the farm in order to help determine if more people have become ill. At this time, two additional people have reported symptoms consistent with E. coli O157:H7 infection and are currently being tested. These people visited Dehn's on October 18, raising concern that exposures also could have occurred after the weekend of October 12-13.

All of the cases reported having contact with cattle and/or goats at Dehn's. The farm owners have been cooperating fully with the investigation and public access to the cattle and goat areas is being prohibited. The rest of the farm, including the pumpkin patch, remains open for business.

E. coli O157:H7 is commonly found in ruminant animals such as cattle and goats, and this type of exposure is not unique to Dehn's Pumpkins. Outbreaks associated with contact with farm animals are documented virtually every year in Minnesota. Therefore, people who contact ruminants at any venue, public or private, are at risk for infection with E. coli O157:H7, as well as a variety of other germs. People typically become ill from contact with farm animals or their environment by getting bits of feces on their hands after touching the animals or contaminated surfaces, then swallowing the germs while eating, drinking or during other hand-to-mouth activities. Contamination can be present on the fur or in the saliva of animals, on the ground where the animals are kept, or on surfaces such as fence railings of animal pens.

Symptoms of illness caused by E. coli O157:H7 typically include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, often with bloody stools, but only a low-grade or no fever. People typically become ill two to five days after exposure, but this time period can range from one to at least eight days. Most people recover in five to 10 days; however, E. coli O157:H7 infections sometimes lead to HUS, most commonly in children and the elderly.

Health officials say anyone who visited Dehn's Pumpkins since October 12 and develops symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection should contact their health care provider immediately and inform them of their possible involvement in this outbreak. Diarrhea associated with E. coli O157:H7 infection should NOT be treated with antibiotics, as this practice might promote the development of HUS. More information on E. coli O157:H7 can be found at http://www.health.state.mn.us/.

The best way to prevent infections from contact with animals is to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately afterwards. Hand sanitizers might afford some protection until hands can be washed with soap and water but do not work well against some germs or when hands are visibly soiled. Food, drinks, and items that promote hand-to-mouth contact (for example, pacifiers) should never be brought into animal areas.

Twenty-five Salmonella illnesses now linked to homemade unpasteurized fresh cheese

At least 25 Minnesotans have been sickened with salmonellosis linked to eating a raw Mexican-style cheese, queso fresco, state health officials said. The outbreak illustrates the dangers of consuming unpasteurized dairy products.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the City of Minneapolis have been investigating the outbreak and the source of the raw milk used to make the cheese since the first cases were detected in late April.

MDH confirmed 18 cases of infection with the same strain of Salmonella. An additional seven cases of illness occurred among family members or other contacts of confirmed cases, but no laboratory specimens were available. The individuals became ill between March 28 and April 24. Of the 25 cases, 15 were hospitalized. All have recovered. Many cases reported eating unpasteurized queso fresco purchased or received from an individual who made the product in a private home. Investigators have determined that the individual made home deliveries and also may have sold the product on a street corner near the East Lake Street area of Minneapolis.

Anyone who may have purchased or received this product recently should not eat it but should throw it away.

Samples of unpasteurized queso fresco collected from the cheese maker were found to contain the same strain of Salmonella as the illnesses. Investigators determined that the milk used to make the cheese was purchased by the cheese maker from a Dakota County farm. Unpasteurized milk samples collected at the farm were also found to match the outbreak strain.

Dr. Heidi Kassenborg, director of MDA's Dairy and Food Inspection Division, said the outbreak underscores the dangers of consuming unpasteurized dairy products. "It only takes a few bacteria to cause illness. Milking a cow is not a sterile process and even the cleanest dairy farms can have milk that is contaminated. That's why pasteurization - or the heat treatment of milk to kill the harmful pathogens - is so important," said Kassenborg.

Minnesota law allows consumers to purchase raw milk directly from the farm for their own consumption, but it may not be further distributed or sold. Additionally, cheese production facilities need to follow proper food safety laws and regulations, including licensure.

Dr. Carlota Medus said the outbreak may be over, as there are no suspect cases pending. However, it may still be possible to see additional cases that have not been reported yet from people who consumed cheese prior to health officials' interventions, which occurred April 23-26.

While this particular outbreak may be over, MDA and MDH officials are concerned that this may not be an isolated incident: that there may be other instances of people buying foods like unpasteurized queso fresco prepared by neighbors, friends or family. "It's important for people to be aware of the inherent risk of consuming any raw dairy product from any source," Medus said. "We encourage people to think carefully about those risks and know that the risks are especially high for young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems."

Salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in high risk groups. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Symptoms often begin 12-72 hours after consumption of contaminated food but can begin up to a week or more later. Anyone who believes they may have become ill with Salmonella should contact their health care provider.

Salmonella warning

(September 25, 2012) -- One person in Minnesota is part of an ongoing multistate outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections associated with Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt, state health officials said today.

The Minnesota resident reported eating Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter during the week prior to becoming ill in late July, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The case is an adult from the Twin Cities metro area who was hospitalized for this illness and recovered. MDH is collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), other state health departments and federal agencies in the continuing investigation.

To date, a total of 29 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been reported in 18 states. Four people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is coordinating the ongoing multistate investigation with affected states and the Food and Drug Administration, including determining if additional products may be contaminated, and if the problem is limited to a single or multiple production dates. CDC’s website will be updated as information becomes available: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bredeney-09-12/index.html.

Trader Joe’s has issued a voluntary recall of the implicated product. That notice can be found at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm320579.htm. The peanut butter manufacturer has also issued a recall. More information is at http://www.sunlandinc.com/788/html/pdfs/SunlandRecall.pdf. MDH and MDA officials urged consumers to not eat Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt that they may have in their homes or any of the products recalled by Sunland, Inc.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Anyone who believes they may have become ill with Salmonella should contact their health care provider.

Approximately 575 to 700 cases of salmonellosis are reported each year in Minnesota. More information on Salmonella and how to prevent it can be found on the MDH website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/salmonellosis/index.html.

MDA unleashing the hounds to find emerald ash borer

St. Paul, Minn – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is partnering with Working Dogs for Conservation to train dogs to sniff out EAB larvae and ash tree material. The goal is to deploy the dogs to help regulatory crews find infested wood and other materials that may be harboring the destructive tree pest.

Four detection dogs began training in Minnesota on April 16, and are moving quickly through the phases of training. The dogs can consistently detect EAB infested material and ash tree material in isolated containers. They are now are in the middle of phase two – recognizing the scents while camouflaged with other scents in controlled settings and the introduction of scent in natural settings. The third and final stage will be comprehensive searching for EAB infested and ash tree material in the natural settings.  The dogs may be ready to start sniffing mulch piles, yard waste sites, and commercial vehicles as early as July.

“These dogs will increase our efficiency as a regulatory agency,” said MDA Plant Protection Director Geir Friisoe. “The dogs can go to one of the yard waste sites we inspect, sniff around, and signal if there is ash material or EAB infested material in a waste pile within minutes. Once trained, they are extremely proficient.”

This partnership is the first time anyone in the nation has tested the ability of a dog to detect EAB. Working Dogs for Conservation plans to make EAB detection dogs available for any state to hire once the dogs have finished all phases of training. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service is also using dogs to detect Asian longhorned beetle, another invasive beetle that has infested trees in some Eastern states.

Working Dogs for Conservation is a non-profit organization that specializes in helping eradicate damaging invasive species while ensuring rich and rewarding lives of canines.

EAB is one of America’s most destructive tree pests. Its larvae kill ash trees by tunneling into the wood and feeding on the tree’s nutrients. The metallic-green adult beetles are a half-inch long, and are active from May to September. The biggest risk of spreading EAB comes from people unknowingly moving firewood or other ash products harboring larvae.

An interactive map of confirmed EAB infestations and stingless wasp release sites in Minnesota is available on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s website at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.

MDA confirms two new emerald ash borer infestations in southeastern Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) today confirmed new emerald ash borer (EAB) infestations in Winona County and Houston County. In each case, the infestation was discovered after field staff found a single adult beetle on a purple monitoring trap.

The Winona County infestation is in Great River Bluffs State Park, 17 miles southeast of the city of Winona. It is the first EAB infestation found in Winona County. The Houston County detection is in Veterans Park in La Crescent, and is the second detection in Houston County. The two new infestations are about 8 miles apart.

These discoveries are the latest in a series of EAB infestations discovered in Minnesota since May 2009, joining sites in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Falcon Heights, Shoreview, and extreme southeastern Houston County.

MDA scientists do not know how EAB arrived at the new sites, but they will survey the areas and work with federal, state and local partners to determine the scope of the infestations. Meanwhile, MDA has added Winona County to the list of Minnesota counties under EAB quarantine. This quarantine, which already covers Hennepin, Ramsey and Houston counties, bars people from moving out of the affected county any items potentially infested with EAB. Items subject to the quarantine include firewood, live ash trees, ash limbs and branches, and untreated ash lumber. A full description can be found online at www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab/eabquarantine.aspx.
EAB is one of America’s most destructive tree pests. Its larvae kill ash trees by tunneling into the wood and feeding on the tree’s nutrients. Since its accidental introduction into North America, EAB has killed tens of millions of ash trees in 15 states. The metallic-green adult beetles are a half-inch long, and are active from May to September. Infestation signs include one-eighth inch, D-shaped exit holes in ash tree bark and winding tunnels under the bark. The biggest risk of spreading EAB comes from people unknowingly moving firewood or other ash products harboring larvae. There are three easy steps Minnesotans can take to keep EAB from spreading:
1. Don’t transport firewood. Buy firewood locally from approved vendors, and burn it where you buy it;
2. Be aware of the quarantine restrictions. If you live in a quarantined county, be aware of the restrictions on movement of products such as ash trees, wood chips, and firewood. Details can be found online at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab/quarantinefaq.aspx; and,
3. Watch your ash trees for infestation. If you think your ash tree is infested, go to www.mda.state.mn.us and use the “Do I Have Emerald Ash Borer?” checklist or call MDA’s Arrest the Pest Hotline (888-545-6684) to report concerns.

MDA planning gypsy moth suppression treatments for North Shore locations in 2011

ST. PAUL, Minn. – With the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partner organizations planning to tackle gypsy moth infestations in northeastern Minnesota this summer, the department is inviting people to learn about the effort at open houses to be held March 22-24 in St. Louis, Lake and Cook Counties.

Ranked among America’s most destructive tree pests, gypsy moth has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests as it has spread from New England to Wisconsin in recent decades. Gypsy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest, with oak, poplar, birch and willow among their preferred hosts. The pests are common in Wisconsin and are now threatening eastern Minnesota. More information about gypsy moths and MDA’s battle against these forest pests can be found on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth.

MDA maintains a monitoring program to watch for start-up infestations, and when an infestation is found, the department conducts suppression treatments to slow their spread. In 2010, MDA found infestations covering nearly 114,000 acres in St. Louis, Carlton, Cook and Lake Counties. The department is now developing treatment plans for the affected areas, including sites near Tofte, Fourmile Lake, Finland, Beaver Bay, Gooseberry Falls, Carrol Trail, Thompson Lake, Barrs Lake, Duluth and Proctor.

Over the years, MDA has successfully treated dozens of gypsy moth infestations across eastern Minnesota from Grand Portage to Winona County. These treatments slow the spread of gypsy moth, saving communities and homeowners money and protecting the health of the state’s forests. Unfortunately, the number and intensity of localized infestations continues to rise as the main population of gypsy moths moves closer to the state.

MDA and local officials are working together to develop plans for treating the northeastern Minnesota infestations this summer. The department will host seven open houses to share information with citizens about the threat gypsy moths pose to the environment, and how officials plan to protect forests.

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE
Date Location Time
March 22 Proctor Community Center, 100 Pionk Drive, Proctor 4-6 pm
March 22 Portman Community Center, 4601 McCulloch St., Duluth 6-8 pm
March 23 Central Hillside Community Center, 12 E. 4th St., Duluth 11am-1pm
March 23 Boulder Lake Learning Center, 7328 Boulder Dam Rd., Duluth 5-7 pm
March 24 Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor Center, 3206 Hwy 61, Two Harbors 11am-1pm
March 24 Central Hillside Community Center, 12 E. 4th St., Duluth 4-6pm
March 24 Morgan Park Community Center, 1302 88th Ave. W., Duluth 5-7pm

MDA implements exterior quarantine to protect state’s walnut trees from deadly disease

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson this week moved to protect the state’s 6 million eastern black walnut trees and the state’s walnut timber producers by issuing a temporary exterior quarantine restricting the import of walnut trees and certain related products into Minnesota from areas known to be infested with Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD).

TCD is caused by a fungus carried by a tree pest called the walnut twig beetle. The beetle attacks the walnut tree, introducing the fungus while it tunnels under the bark. This results in small cankers, or dead areas, under the bark. As more beetles attack the tree, these cankers grow together and cut off the tree’s circulation. This ultimately kills the tree. To date, TCD has been found in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Utah. The MDA quarantine restricts movement of products potentially harboring TCD from those states and from other potentially infested areas into Minnesota.

The list of walnut products covered by the quarantine includes live walnut trees, walnut logs, walnut lumber, walnut firewood, walnut nursery stock, wood chips and mulch made from walnut wood, walnut branches and roots, and packaging materials made from walnut wood. The quarantine does not apply to walnut nuts, nutmeat, walnut hulls, finished products made from walnut wood without bark, or processed lumber that is 100 percent bark-free, and kiln-dried with square edges.

“By taking this action, we will help protect a valuable part of our economy and our environment from needless damage,” Commissioner Frederickson said. “This targeted quarantine will help prevent the loss of millions of trees and avoid damage to a valuable segment of our state’s forestry industry.”

The black walnut tree is an important tree for Minnesota’s environment and economy. The tree is a natural part of the southeastern Minnesota landscape, and it is highly valued for its wood. Every year, Minnesota harvests up to 2 million board feet of black walnut for use in products such as furniture and musical instruments.

MDA has the statutory authority to issue quarantines excluding harmful plant pests. The TCD quarantine was implemented with input from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service. MDA will seek public comment prior to replacing this temporary quarantine with a formal quarantine. That formal quarantine may contain additional or different conditions based on information offered by the public. More information about TCD and the quarantine can be found on MDA’s website at www.mda.state.mn.us.