LOCAL
Wisconsin wells with fecal contamination
An independent study conducted by the United States Agricultural Research Service and the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History found 32 of 35 private wells in three counties in southwestern Wisconsin contaminated with fecal matter. The majority of the contaminated wells contained fecal matter from humans, followed by cattle, then swine. Additionally, human pathogens including salmonella, rotavirus, and cryptosporidium were detected.
There are more than 800,000 private wells in Wisconsin, supplying about one-quarter of the state’s population with drinking water. A combination of defective septic systems and agricultural practices are contributing to polluting the groundwater.
Previous studies performed in 2016 and 2017 in a northeast county have demonstrated similar results indicating a widespread problem. Continued evidence of groundwater pollution has led to the creation of a legislative water quality task force, and just recently, a proposal by Democratic Governor Tony Evers for new regulations for the use of manure and fertilizer in agriculture.
NATIONAL
United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases: Research on hold
The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) is currently on shutdown mode, halting research. USAMRIID, a military based research center in Maryland, conducts research on biological agents and toxins that could threaten the military or public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a “cease and desist order” in July citing multiple reasons failing to meet biosafety standards. One reason included insufficiently decontaminating waste water from high security laboratories.
In addition, concerns related to USAMRID’s Biological Select Agents and Toxins research program led to a formal suspension of the institute’s registration to the Federal Select Agent Program. At the time of shutdown, researchers were working with agents responsible for tularemia, plague, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, and Ebola - all diseases which are caused by pathogens considered “Select Agents.”
Despite failing to meet biosafety standards, no infectious pathogens were identified outside authorized areas. USAMRIID will become fully operational when the CDC and the Army determines safety standards can be reached consistently. The timeline in unknown, but predicted to be months. Despite the shutdown, research animals will be cared for and work outside laboratories is not expected to be affected.
Caree Vander Linden from USAMRIID, “USAMRIID is engaged in ongoing discussions with the CDC to address the way forward, and is committed to doing the serious work required to effect a meaningful and permanent change in its safety culture. While the Institute's research mission is critical, the safety of the workforce and community is paramount. USAMRIID is taking this opportunity to correct deficiencies, build upon strengths, and create a stronger and safer foundation for the future.”
INTERNATIONAL
Salmonella Outbreak from Raw Sheep Milk cheese
Unpasteurized, raw milk sheep’s cheese containing Salmonella Enteritidis sickened 50 people in France. The first cases were reported in June and the latest reported cases in early July. The affected patients, 45 adults and five children, lived in five different regions in the country. Only one individual required hospitalization.
The contaminated cheese,“Pur brebis du Lochois,” was sold at the farm level between May 20 and July 20 in Indre-et-Loire and sold and distributed nationally as well as to Austria, Germany, Spain, and possibly the Netherlands. Cheese distributed to Germany has use by dates in August and September.
Most people recover without treatment but symptoms can be serious in the young, elerly and immunocompromised populations. Symptoms may appear 12-72 hours after ingestion and may include fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
Questions, comments, feedback about today's Weekly Update? Please email Dr. Jan Mladonicky, [email protected].
Receive the Weekly Update right in your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Subscribe now at z.umn.edu/WeeklyUpdateSubscribe