Speaking of the flu, as everyone is on the news

It takes more than a village to control animal influenza. Below is a list of agencies and participants in the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Animal influenza ecology and epidemiology and research program.

• Arkansas Natural Resources Commission
• Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center
• Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
• Emiquon Nature Conservatory
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources
• Indiana State Board of Animal Health
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• J. Craig Venter Institute
• Maryland DNR - Fish & Wildlife Health Program
• Maryland DNR - Wildlife and Heritage Service
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources
• Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Mississippi State University Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Missouri Department of Conservation
• Missouri Department of Agriculture
• NIAID Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS)
• NIH - NIAID Laboratory of Infectious Diseases
• Ohio Department of Agriculture
• Ohio Department of Health
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Ohio Sea Grant
• OSU Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology
• OSU Extension
• OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources
• Purdue Extension
• University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)
• University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
• USDA ARS Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory
• USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
• USDA APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratorie (NVSL)
• USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
• USFWS Division of Migratory Bird Management
• USFWS Waterfowl Survey
• USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System
• USGS National Wildlife Health Center
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Genetically Engineered Pig With Earth-Friendly Poop

Imagine the unintended consequences! Be sure to read the comments about Enviropig.

"The “Enviropig” has been genetically modified in such a manner that its urine and feces contain almost 65 percent less phosphorus than usual."

Meet the Genetically Engineered Pig With Earth-Friendly Poop | 80beats | Discover Magazine

This little piggy went to market with Salmonella

Pigs raised without antibiotics are more likely to carry bacteria and parasites, according to a new study done at Ohio State University's Vet school.

While consumers are increasing demand for pork produced without antibiotics, more of the pigs raised in such conditions carry bacteria and parasites associated with food-borne illnesses, according to a new study.

A comparison of swine raised in antibiotic-free and conventional pork production settings revealed that pigs raised outdoors without antibiotics had higher rates of three food-borne pathogens than did pigs on conventional farms, which remain indoors and receive preventive doses of antimicrobial drugs.

More than half of the pigs on antibiotic-free farms tested positive for Salmonella, compared to 39 percent of conventionally raised pigs infected with the bacterial pathogen. The presence of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite was detected in 6.8 percent of antibiotic-free pigs, compared to 1.1 percent of conventionally raised pigs. And two naturally raised pigs of the total 616 sampled tested positive for Trichinella spiralis, a parasite considered virtually eradicated from conventional U.S. pork operations. http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/porkfarms.htm

Let's not forget the Silent Spring fall out. More Africans have died from malaria since environmentalists took DDT off the market for mosquito control than ever died in the trans-atlantic slave trade. Lots of "natural" things can kill you. Mold, for instance. Nothing more resilient and natural than a bacteria strain or raging virus.