Acessable from this web page: wcs.org/home/science/wildlifehealthscience/2592/2606/
Or directly here http://wcs.org/media/general/mime-9766395601.pdf
Full Title:
Pathology of Fatal West Nile Virus Infections in Native and Exotic Birds during the 1999 Outbreak in New York City, New York
Excerpt:
During the late summer and early fall of 1999, an outbreak of viral encephalitis occurred in the northeastern United States, with most cases occurring in and around New York City, New York. The outbreak resulted in fatal neurologic disease in humans and a variety of native and exotic birds, (3–5) as well as some horses.17 The incidence of disease was particularly high among crows. Initially, the human cases were attributed to St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus,3 a mosquito- borne flavivirus that is endemic to the United States. SLE virus typically does not cause clinical disease in birds.Warning: This is an extensive report - if you want details on the 'Bronz Zoo' aspect of WNV this is it ...Later, West Nile virus (WNV), a related flavivirus never before identified in the western hemisphere, was shown to be the cause of disease in several birds that died following neurologic illness. (5,12) WNV was subsequently identified as the cause of infection in both the human (5) and equine (17) cases as well. Phylogenetic analysis of the virus associated with the US outbreak, WN-New York 1999, demonstrated it is closely related to a strain of WNV isolated from a sick goose in Israel in 1998. (12) Confirmed human and equine cases of WNV infection have been limited to the state of New York; however, infected birds and mosquitoes were also identified in Connecticut and New Jersey during the height of the outbreak.1,5 The possible recurrence and spread of WNV in the United States represents a serious potential public health concern.
...
Case histories
Between 10 August 1999 and 23 September 1999, 27 wild or exotic birds (24 birds at the Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park, Bronx, NY, and 3 birds at the Queens Wildlife Center, Queens, NY) died or were humanely euthanatized because of severe illness. Eight orders and 14 species of birds were involved.
The SLE [Saint Louis Encephalitis] epidemic aroused the interest of the chief pathologist at the Bronx Zoo.From: http://www.hopkins-biodefense.org/pages/news/quarter1_3.htmlShe had been concerned - since late July - about a crow die-off near the zoo; over Labor Day weekend, several exhibit birds including flamingoes and a bald eagle had also died.
The prairie dog, which has been linked to the monkeypox outbreak in the United States, is a favourite pet among some Malaysians, according to China Press. It said the prairie dogs, available in pet shops in Kuala Lumpur, were imported from the United States. One pet shop owner said the prairie dog, priced at RM500 each, was a “fast moving” item.
Oh boy. Unless Malaysia gets their prairie dogs from Phil's Pocket Pets there is no danger of spreading the virus to prairie dogs exported to Malaysia.