LOCAL
Moose population remains low but stable in Minnesota
Results from a 2018 moose population survey show that moose populations in Northeastern Minnesota remain low but stable as has been for the past 7 years.
The aerial survey estimated that there are about 3030 moose in Northeastern Minnesota, which remains statistically unchanged from last year’s moose population estimate of 3710. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) is 90% confident that the moose population is between 4140 and 2320 in the study area.
Moose population surveys each year are compared to 2006 population estimates because the highest moose population estimates occurred in Minnesota that year and moose populations have declined ever since.
"The stability of moose numbers in recent years provides a reason for some optimism – after all, we’re not facing a significant decline… While the trend of stability is encouraging, it does not allow us to forecast the future trajectory of the population,” said Glenn DelGiudice, MN DNR moose and deer project leader.
NATIONAL
Food safety concerns arise as cannabis production facilities grow
As the legalization of cannabis continues to expand throughout the United States and Canada and as more production facilities grow, concerns mount about food safety hazards such as Salmonella and E. coli.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides public alerts to food and drug manufacturers that have violated food safety procedures and controls; however, since marijuana is not legal under United States federal law, federal regulations do not apply.
Unless cannabis such as edibles are treated the same as other food products and have similar or more extensive food safety regulations as other food products, additional risks can be expected.
INTERNATIONAL
China reports first human case of H7N4 avian influenza
China has reported the first human case of H7N4 avian influenza in a 68-year-old woman from Jiangsu, an eastern coastal province of the country.
While there are many types of influenza, according to China’s health ministry, also known as the National Health and Family Planning Commission, this is the first case of human infection with the H7N4 avian influenza strain in the world.
The infected woman had previous contact with poultry and first developed symptoms on December 25. She was subsequently admitted to a hospital on January 1 and discharged on January 22. None of the woman’s close contacts developed symptoms during the surveillance period.
Jonathan Chapman
Jonathan was a VPHPM resident from 2016-2018. He is a licensed veterinarian with a career focus on veterinary public health, epidemiology, zoonotic disease, and One Health. He has been involved in a broad range of activities ranging from small animal general practice and emergency medicine to disease surveillance and outbreak investigation. Jonathan hopes to continue to promote medicine, public health, education, and local and international community collaboration around the world. Jonathan is originally from Chicago, Illinois and he has spent time living in St. Kitts, West Indies and San Juan, Puerto Rico. He has 2 Golden Retrievers named Bauer and Nikki and 3 cats named Sienna, Simon, and Conchita.