In most instances by contact with sheep. The virus is shed from the nasal passages. It is not clear precisely how the virus is transmitted from sheep to bison, but it is probably via the nose and/or mouth. There may be other avenues of transmission that have not yet been recognized.

Epidemiological studies of field outbreaks strongly suggest that sheep infected with OvHV-2 are the principal source of MCF outbreaks in bison and cattle. A strong association between outbreaks in cattle and recent exposure to sheep has been documented repeatedly since 1929. Recent data indicate that a similar pattern occurs in bison. In some outbreaks, however, no sheep were in the vicinity immediately prior to the first case being identified.

Our limited knowledge on this subject suggests that bison may be infected for extended periods, in some instances years, before developing MCF. More work is needed on this aspect of the disease.

Lambs are infected after birth. Infection occurs between birth and 4 months of age, with most Iambs infected by the age of 4 months or earlier. Placental transmission is possible but rare. Horizontal transmission through physical contact with flock mates is the major mode of transmission among sheep. High levels of OvHV-2 viral DNA are consistently found in nasal secretions of sheep, suggesting that the nose is an important portal for OvHV-2 shedding. The virus does not cause illness in sheep.

In most instances by contact with sheep. The virus is shed from the nasal passages. There may be other avenues of transmission that have not yet been recognized.

If treatment is recommended, consider your options and work with your doctor/clinician and local support system to prepare a treatment plan.

Our limited knowledge on this subject suggests that bison may be infected for extended periods, in some instances years, before developing MCF. More work is needed on this aspect of the disease. A recent study performed by a veterinary epidemiologist in Canada, Dr. John Berezowski at WCVM in Saskatoon, demonstrated that bison develop clinical signs as soon as 52 days and as late as 8 months after exposure to infected sheep.

Yes. There are reliable scientific reports of MCF in both European and American bison (Bison bonasus and B.bison, respectively). MCF occurs in the Plains subspecies (B. bison bison), which is the basis of the commercial bison industry in North America. We are not aware of confirmed cases of MCF in Woodland bison (B. bison athabascae) but we recently found that they are subclinically infected at about the same rate as are the Plains bison.

Most infections are characterized by depression, separation from the rest of the herd, loss of appetite, and in many bloody diarrhea. Unlike MCF in cattle, discharge from the eyes and nasal passages of affected bison is minimal. Animals develop a fever and may pass bloody urine. The clinical course is generally 1 -7 days. Most animals die within 3 days of developing clinical signs.

Animals older than 6 months, particularly if stressed by bad weather, transportation and handling. Large outbreaks occur in feedlots, where stress due to crowding is likely.

Following transmission, the MCF virus is presumed to infect lymphoid tissues (spleen and lymph nodes) and cells lining the gut, urogenital tract and nasal passages. The severe inflammation generally causes gastroenteritis, with widespread formation of ulcers particularly in the large bowel. This is the basis for bloody diarrhea, a common and useful diagnostic sign of MCF in bison.

The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70oC in all parts of the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked (no "pink" parts) and that eggs, too, are properly cooked (no "runny" yolks). Consumers should also be aware of the risk of cross-contamination. Juices from raw poultry and poultry products should never be allowed, during food preparation, to touch or mix with items eaten raw.

The main route of human infection is direct contact with infected poultry or surfaces and objects contaminated with their feces or blood. To date, most human cases have occurred in rural and periurban areas where households keep small poultry flocks that roam freely, often entering homes and sharing children's outdoor play areas. Large quantities of the virus are excreted in the feces of infected poultry.

Hepatitis A & B Vaccine: There are several different forms of viral hepatitis. Each is different and being "protected" from one, does not protect you from the others. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are vaccine preventable. Hepatitis C has no vaccine, so preventing the infection through safe(r) drug and sex behavior is necessary. If you are at-risk, get vaccinated for the other viruses, and get tested for C to find out if you've been infected so you can get the care and counseling you need.

Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their faeces, is presently considered the main route of human infection. To date, most human cases have occurred in rural or periurban areas where many households keep small poultry flocks, which often roam freely, sometimes entering homes or sharing outdoor areas where children play.

Ticks become infected with the Lyme disease spirochete by feeding on the blood of animals that have the disease.

MCF virus is transmitted by sheep in most instances. There is no documented evidence of person-to-bison transmission. Normal veterinary infection control precautions should be followed when caring for a bison suspected to have this viral infection.

A:No. The bison were introduced to Catalina. Fourteen head were brought to the Island in the 1920s for the making of film. The animals were left on the Island and proliferated, the herd growing as large as perhaps 600 individuals.

Over the last 85 plus years of residence on the Island, bison have become an expected feature, almost iconic, to the Island traveler. A number of tours, literature and attractions feature the bison, which have become rather famous. In 2003, the Conservancy commissioned a scientific study of the bison and their impact on the Island. According to the study, the bison suffer from a poor diet due to frequent drought conditions and a history of overgrazing by other non-native herbivores.

Natural infections occur in many species of deer such as elk, reindeer and moose, as well as a variety of exotic ruminants. The disease can be transmitted experimentally to laboratory species, but there is nothing to indicate these species are involved in natural transmission. MCF was recently reported in pigs for the first time.

Three tests are available: histopathology, serological testing for MCF and an OvHV-2 specific test using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

We are aware of cases in 11 states (Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, California, Oregon, Ohio, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota) and three Canadian provinces (Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta). The disease is widespread in the bison industry and is commonly misdiagnosed due to lack of specific clinical signs.

The BISON catalogue is a listing of all of the University of Manitoba Libraries' materials such as books and journals and their locations. To search BISON go to http://bison.umanitoba.ca/.

Bison are wild, fast, smart and unpredictable. They can be deadly if they feel threatened or provoked.

Research has shown that buffalo is a highly nutrient-dense food because of the proportion of protein, fat and minerals aid its caloric value. Comparisons to other meat sources have also shown that buffalo has a greater concentration of iron as well as some of the essential fatty acids necessary for human well-being.

Our bison are not subjected to growth hormones or stimulants. They receive no antibiotics. They are only grass-fed and do not receive grain, as that only adds fat to the animal.

We sell it by the side, or in any smaller form of any of the cuts. We realize that some people have never tasted bison and would want a small amount to try. Other people do not have extra freezer space for large quantities, so the portion you buy, is tailored strictly to your needs. A full inventory of all cuts are kept in our freezers, and with a phone call and instructions, we are happy to deliver free of charge to the local area - Cumberland to Campbell River.

Johnny (Charles Crafts) shares Dr. Alton's habit of referring to things that only we the audience can see. He says, "[My] marriage ended here." And we see printed on a wall, "SUPERIOR COURT Division 7." But he says this to Glen, who must assume that by "here," Johnny means the kitchen they're both sitting in.