Infected Elk May Pose Serious Health Risk to Humans

[jongosch]

Here's the intro to my newest article.  Full version with videos and pics at the following link:

http://jongosch.com/infected-elk-may-pose-serious-health-risk-to-humans/

On February 12th, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officials concluded their most recent Hoof Disease Public Working Group Meeting with a sadly familiar message – they still did not know what was causing the crippling hoof disease that some have estimated is now responsible for half of all elk deaths in southwest Washington.

I was at the meeting as a hunter, a conservationist and a writer, and I was still bitter about my family’s bleak, unsuccessful hunting season that past fall. I was searching for answers and so far there weren’t any.

Before the meeting was adjourned, however, members of the public were allowed a chance to speak for three minutes each. First up was Boone Mora, a Doctor of Public Health from Skamokawa, Washington. Articulate and spry for his age, Dr. Mora stood and addressed the group.

"Since I have so little time I’ll tell you I think I know what causes the disease. I think I know how to cure the disease, and I think I know how to prevent the disease. I spent ten years studying this disease. I was a guest researcher at the Center of Disease Control in Atlanta and I did a dissertation in this. I can tell you leptospirosis fits it better than anything else I can imagine. And leptospirosis hasn’t been investigated, certainly not exhausted. And I would like to do that. It won’t cost you anything. I’ll do it for nothing. The symptoms of this disease are as broad as symptoms go. This is why they are not diagnosed. People die from it."

And so began my plunge down the rabbit hole.

[Curly]

Good article.  Thanks for writing it.  Scary stuff.

[RadSav]

How can we believe anything the WDFW tells us in regards to this.  Heck I remember only a few years ago when they started issuing all the hundreds of cow tags their reason was, "We need to reduce the number of winter kill elk in the St. Helens mud flow wintering area"  blaming the large number of winter kill on population.  I guess if there are no more elk in the mud flow wintering area the WDFW will consider their effort a success since they had reached their goal of fewer than X number of winter kill in the area.  And I bet they will have the limited focus scientific numbers to back it up.  Makes me sick

[Curly]

Makes you wonder if wdfw wants to keep it quiet just to be able to sell elk tags and permits.   Think how many hunters would avoid sw Washington elk hunting if there is a chance of getting the disease.

WDFW continues to have an image problem.  This issue is yet another that frustrates the hell out of me.

WDFW very well could be simply inept and not trying to cover anything up, but they do continue to lose my trust.

I do realize that the elk population in sw Washington exploded after the eruption of Mount Saint Helens in 1980 when grasses started growing where trees once stood.  Now that forests have replaced much of the grass areas then it does make sense that the numbers of elk that can be supported will decline too. 


What is really unfortunate for the elk is when  they are losing much of the feed that was created by the eruption,  they are also losing some feed in clearcuts due to increased herbicide spraying. 

[pianoman9701]

The crap they dished out to us at the meetings was horrendous. I bet they'll ignore this guy with all his credentials and experience because it'll point to leptospirosis-infected animals because of exposure to immunotoxins.

[Curly]

Are they afraid of big timber industry or getting paid off by them?   Doesn't make much sense why wdfw has been so slow to get some solutions. .....

[pianoman9701]

Very well written article. Thanks.

[buckfvr]

They arent afraid of Timber companies.....timber companies make governors who make commissioners who make wdfw leadership.......................its all relevant.

[Curly]

They arent afraid of Timber companies.....timber companies make governors who make commissioners who make wdfw leadership.......................its all relevant.

So it's just politics as usual. .......I guess I should not be surprised.

[EyeTooth]

Thanks for your article.

[RadSav]

The crap they dished out to us at the meetings was horrendous. I bet they'll ignore this guy with all his credentials and experience because it'll point to leptospirosis-infected animals because of exposure to immunotoxins.

Professionals with credentials have nothing on the narcissistic genius of a Washington politician.

[ELKBURGER]

This issue is definetly building momentum. WFDW has their hands full now....

[TheHunt]

I look over the elk that I kill down there.  I look over the liver and other organs to make a determination.  I have not killed an elk with hoof rot or any other issues. 

[pianoman9701]

Unfortunately, there are no visible parasites associated with animals infected with leptosira. Here's an article about the transmission of the infection and the different symptoms and effects. Checking an animal's organs will not normally alert you to the presence of the bacteria.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246829.php

What are the causes of leptospirosis?Leptospira, a bacterium, may exist in raccoons, bats, sheep, dogs, mice, rats, horses, cattle, buffaloes, and pigs. They inhabit the animals' kidneys and are expelled when they urinate, and infect the soil or water supplies. Contamination can persist in soil or water for months.

People can become infected by:
Drinking contaminated water

Coming into contact with contaminated water or soil if they have unhealed cuts in their skin

Their eyes, nose or mouth come into contact with contaminated water or soil

Coming into contact with the blood of an infected animal (less common)

[pianoman9701]

I've contacted Sen. Don Benton about this and let him know that Dr. Mora's offer was refused by the DFW and what leptosporosis is all about. I sent the link to this article and links to CDC articles about the disease. If this turns out to be the problem and the DFW doesn't investigate it, their negligence will cause people to be infected, especially after telling people the meat is OK to eat.

I would encourage everyone to get on the phone to their state senators.

[ELKBURGER]

I've contacted Sen. Don Benton about this and let him know that Dr. Mora's offer was refused by the DFW and what leptosporosis is all about. I sent the link to this article and links to CDC articles about the disease. If this turns out to be the problem and the DFW doesn't investigate it, their negligence will cause people to be infected, especially after telling people the meat is OK to eat.

I would encourage everyone to get on the phone to their state senators.

In Jon Goschs' article, I thought he said Dr. Mora had finally been contacted by WDFW?

[pianoman9701]

I've contacted Sen. Don Benton about this and let him know that Dr. Mora's offer was refused by the DFW and what leptosporosis is all about. I sent the link to this article and links to CDC articles about the disease. If this turns out to be the problem and the DFW doesn't investigate it, their negligence will cause people to be infected, especially after telling people the meat is OK to eat.

I would encourage everyone to get on the phone to their state senators.

In Jon Goschs' article, I thought he said Dr. Mora had finally been contacted by WDFW?

We'll see what "contact" means. It's now almost three month later and the DFW is still telling us that affected elk are safe to eat. I wrote an email to Nate Pamplin and Sandra Jonker yesterday inquiring as to whether they've taken the Dr. up on his offer and if not, why. I haven't received a response yet. The heat should be turned way up on the DFW. As I told Sen. Benton's office, if this is indeed Leptosporosis, telling hunters that the meat is safe to eat and in addition, not warning them to take care with hand washing and to isolate open wounds on their bodies during the processing of any elk in that area could lead to major public health problems due to the spread of that disease. After reading about the disease and hearing the comments of Dr. Mora, I amazed that he wasn't hired on the spot on February 12th.

[buckfvr]

If they knew they'd be held accountable for their actions, things would be different.  That includes  everything they do..........civil, criminal, you name it..........when you cant even get state level dfw managers in trouble for their actions, its no wonder there's no consequences at the federal level. 

[pianoman9701]

If they knew they'd be held accountable for their actions, things would be different.  That includes  everything they do..........civil, criminal, you name it..........when you cant even get state level dfw managers in trouble for their actions, its no wonder there's no consequences at the federal level.

I talked with Sen. Benton's office about just that point. I made the comment that this eminent, former CDC scientist says he knows what's causing it (not he "thinks" he knows), and how to cure it. If they've ignored his warning and this turns out to be the disease that's responsible, and it results in even one human illness, I believe they'll be criminally negligent.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

If they knew they'd be held accountable for their actions, things would be different.  That includes  everything they do..........civil, criminal, you name it..........when you cant even get state level dfw managers in trouble for their actions, its no wonder there's no consequences at the federal level.

I talked with Sen. Benton's office about just that point. I made the comment that this eminent, former CDC scientist says he knows what's causing it (not he "thinks" he knows), and how to cure it. If they've ignored his warning and this turns out to be the disease that's responsible, and it results in even one human illness, I believe they'll be criminally negligent.

 

[headshot5]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8627923

Looks like they have known about similar since 1996.

[ELKBURGER]

If they knew they'd be held accountable for their actions, things would be different.  That includes  everything they do..........civil, criminal, you name it..........when you cant even get state level dfw managers in trouble for their actions, its no wonder there's no consequences at the federal level.

I talked with Sen. Benton's office about just that point. I made the comment that this eminent, former CDC scientist says he knows what's causing it (not he "thinks" he knows), and how to cure it. If they've ignored his warning and this turns out to be the disease that's responsible, and it results in even one human illness, I believe they'll be criminally negligent.

Thanks Pman for putting the pressure where it belongs. You are speaking for most of us. I am so glad that this forum has driven and educated folks on here. BBarnes, Jongosch, UCwarden, and yourself to name a few. I apologize to the many others I have not named, but thank you ALL for your passion and involvement! These issues will not be addressed by themselves. It is from folks who go the extra mile to research and expose the wrongdoings to the right people....that takes guts and persistance. Thanks again to all of you!

[Curly]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8627923

Looks like they have known about similar since 1996.

That link showed 5 of 6 elk sampled in 1993 had it and 9 of 11 in 1994.

[headshot5]

That link showed 5 of 6 elk sampled in 1993 had it and 9 of 11 in 1994.

Believe it or not I picked up on that.  The Journal of Wildlife Dieseases published this in 1996...,  Generally study results are known after they are published.   So, the information has been out since '96.

The most interesting part, was it was dismissed because

Local productivity of elk was high, however, and the surrounding topography was not conducive for transmission to other elk populations.

[Curly]

Well, some knew about it in 1993 and even more knew it after they read the report in 1996.  Never the less, the point is that wdfw has known about it for around 20 years while getting practically zero accomplished.  It just shows how incredibly inept they are. 

[Curly]

Dr. Mora's theory really does make sense especially when you note when leptospirosis was found in SW WA elk and when herbicide spraying became more common.........and when hoof problems started to show up.  That all started in the early 90's I believe.

[bbarnes]

I  would encourage any one with concerns,to contact Kara with your concerns,she needs to hear from all off us.
Kara Whittaker, PhD
Senior Scientist & Policy Analyst
Washington Forest Law Center
615 Second Ave., Suite 360
Seattle, WA 98104-2245
phone: (206) 223-4088 x5
fax: (206) 223-4280
kwhittaker@wflc.org
www.wflc.org
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