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west nile virus

RESEARCH CONFIRMS RUFFED GROUSE CAN SURVIVE WEST NILE VIRUS INFECTION

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Providing High-Quality Habitat may be our Best Option to Protect Ruffed Grouse by Ashley Peters Bird hunters in Minnesota provided scientists with hundreds of ruffed grouse samples throughout 2018 and 2019. These samples were then tested for active West Nile Virus (WNV) infection and antibodies indicating infection with WNV. The results of that study were published earlier this year in The Journal of Wildlife Diseases.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. Humans can catch WNV through mosquito bites, which can cause flu-like symptoms. However, WNV isn’t usually lethal...

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West Nile Virus in Ruffed Grouse and Test Kit How-To Video

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Photo By | Timothy Flanigan An update on West Nile Virus in Ruffed Grouse and a test kit how-to video. The second-year results for the Great Lake states’ collaborative West Nile Virus (WNV) study are in, and there’s good news, bad news and hope, for ruffed grouse in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.  The good In total, hunters provided 786 samples in all three states from the 2019 hunting season: 281 from Michigan, 188 from Wisconsin and 317 from Minnesota. The total number of samples was up a bit from the 721 submitted the year prior, though Wisconsin’s individual sample total went down. In 2018,...

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Ben Jones Addresses West Nile Virus Testing in Ruffed Grouse – RGS

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Grouse enthusiasts are abuzz this week with hunting seasons in full swing and recent press releases from key states. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan shared 2018 West Nile Virus testing results after an unexpected laboratory delay (details can be found here). I read the reports, completed phone interviews with reporters and braced myself. When West Nile Virus appears in the news, it can even eclipse dog breed and shotgun choice “discussions” in level of interest and disagreement. Justifiably so. The appearance of a new disease threatening our beloved ruffed grouse is reason for concern. [Read more…] about Ben Jones Addresses West Nile...

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Earliest Test Results of West Nile Virus Sampling in Upper Great Lakes Ruffed Grouse Now Available – RGS

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Photo Credit | Steve Oehlenschlager Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources recently announced results of the first year of coordinated West Nile Virus (WNV) sampling efforts for ruffed grouse in their stateRates of WNV antibodies in ruffed grouse varied from around 13 percent in Minnesota and Michigan, and 29 percent in WisconsinRuffed Grouse Society continues to emphasize habitat management as the “solution” for WNV, and aid in coordinating surveillance efforts in all 3 states October 22, 2019For Immediate Release Coraopolis, Pa. – The Departments of Natural Resources in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan recently announced results of West Nile...

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The Scientific Impact of West Nile on Ruffed Grouse

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Ruffed Grouse

Written by: Lisa Williams, PA Game Commission

Photo Credit: Steve Oehlenschlager

Conclusive Evidence that West Nile and Habitat Loss can Spell Disaster for Ruffed Grouse

Republication with permission, the below article was originally written for the Pennsylvania Game Commission News publication. Written by Lisa Williams, PA Game Commission ruffed grouse biologist, Lisa Williams, and originally titled, “Ruffed Tumble – Changing Times for Grouse.” The article explores the most current research, understanding and impacts of West Nile Virus and Habitat on Ruffed Grouse in Pennsylvania.

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