Vol. 29, No. 2 #6 (April 2006). Wyoming State Fair Monitors Animal Disease.

• Author: By Barney L. Cosner

Wyoming Bar Journal

2006.

Vol. 29, No. 2 #6 (April 2006).

Wyoming State Fair Monitors Animal Disease

WYOMING LAWYERApril 2006/Vol. 29, No. 2Wyoming State Fair Monitors Animal DiseaseBy Barney L. Cosner

What do vesicular stomatitis, West Nile Virus, and Avian Influenza have in common with E.coli 0157:117? Each has had and will continue to have an impact on fairs and shows in Wyoming which serve as a venue for animal exhibits and competitive events featuring animals.

Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease that primarily affects cattle, horses, llamas, and swine. Leading into and during the 2005 Wyoming State Fair, vesicular stomatitis was identified both in Wyoming and in several surrounding states, which in turn created an animal health concern during State Fair. From this concern, multiple horse exhibitors and llama exhibitors either chose not to enter or chose to withdraw their entries from the 2005 State Fair. The impacts of this disease can reach large proportions when the economic factors are calculated.

The Wyoming State Fair is bordered by the North Platte River on the west side of the grounds and the Wyoming State Fair is held the second full week of August. These two factors provided an excellent base for West Nile Virus' (WNV) main vector, the mosquito, during the past two fair seasons. Due to the potential of concentrations of people and animals, in a nearly ideal setting for mosquitoes carrying WNV, this had a negative impact on the past two state fairs.

Due to the proximity of State Fair Park to the North Platte River and the fact that migratory waterfowl are a natural host for avian influenza, this disease is of concern to the upcoming State Fair just as it was in 2004 for the Junior Poultry Show. The multiple strains of the avian influenza virus, which causes the influenza in domestic fowl, create an atmosphere of uncertainty for the State Fair poultry show on an annual basis.

So how does Escherichia coli (E.coli) fit as a concern with animal disease? E.coli are bacteria that are normally occurring in the intestinal systems of animals and humans. Most strains of E.coli are generally harmless, but there are several strains which produce toxins that may cause human discomfort in a manner such as diarrhea and vomiting. One strain of E.coli, called 0157:117, can cause severe diarrhea, cramps and kidney...