EXPOSING the FDA and the USDA - Broad Casting here the things that they would prefer us NOT to know about our FOOD & DRUGS & Farming.

Monday, September 26, 2011

"American Meat," a New Documentary

"American Meat" Latest Film to Join Food Debateby Dan Flynn

Sep 07, 2011"American Meat" is the latest documentary film seeking to be part of the nation's food debate. Unlike some that have gone before -- "Food Inc." and "Fast Food Nation" come to mind --"American Meat" appears to be less polemic. So far it's only had a few screenings in Iowa, but its own website says "American Meat is a solutions-oriented macroscopic documentary surveying the current state of the U.S. meat industry." The producers say they "take an even-handed look at animal husbandry." From the trailer, also on the website, "American Meat" appears to offer some dialog among those in animal agriculture who operate large scale facilities and those like Joel Salatin, who advocates for the grass-based farms both in practice and on the lecture circuit. "We explain how America arrived at our current industrial system, and show you the feedlots and confinement houses, not through hidden cameras but through the eyes of the farmers who live and work there," say the producers. The film promises "many voices" but clearly sets out to explain what's going on in rural America, from the confinement house that raises 21,000 chickens in seven weeks to "egg mobiles" that follow grazing cattle with free range chickens. "American Meat" is getting its first screening outside of Iowa this Friday before the American Devon Cattle Association's Great Event at Double Brook Farm near Hopewell, NJ. Temple Grandin, the Colorado State University animal welfare expert, will speak prior to the screening. Jon McConaughy and Double Brook Farm are featured in the film. The new full-length documentary is only the latest to feature the food industry. Best known of these is "Food Inc.," that fired one shot after another at the meat industry in 2009, and "Fast Food Nation," which like the book of the same title took on McDonald's and its competitors when released in 2004. So called "outreach partners" for "American Meat," according to its website, include: Food Democracy Now!, Real Time Farms, Chef's Collaborative, Oklahoma Food Cooperative, Spin Farming, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Local Harvest and Acres USA. "American Meat" will be screened about 100 times locally before its scheduled general DVD release in February 2012. Reply ForwardNew Doc:

New Virus Plaguing Soy-Crop / USA

SOYBEAN VEIN NECROSIS VIRUS - USA: UPDATE


*****************************************

A ProMED-mail post



ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases





[1]

Date: Wed 21 Sep 2011

Source: Farms.com, Penn State University report [edited]







A new disease of soybeans

-------------------------

Across the state [of Pennsylvania] this year [2011] I have noticed

some symptoms that couldn't quite be explained by our known soybean

diseases. We believe that these are the symptoms of a relatively new

virus called Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus (SVNV).



This was discovered in 2008 in Tennessee and Arkansas and has since

been confirmed in New York and most recently in Delaware and

Maryland.



We do not yet know whether this is a yield impacting disease. The

level of leaf damage I have seen suggests that at least in 2011 we

will not see yield reduction from this virus. In some cases, plants

that are infected by multiple viruses may have a significantly reduced

yield. We have seen some outbreaks of bean pod mottle virus in 2011,

and if the 2 occur in the same plant, it may overwhelm the plant's

resources.



I will be sending samples to the University of Arkansas to confirm the

virus in Pennsylvania.



[Byline: Alyssa Collins]



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail





******

[2]

Date: Fri 16 Sep 2011

Source: University of Delaware, Weekly Crop Update [edited]







Soybean vein necrosis virus in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia

------------------------------------------------------------

Soybean vein necrosis virus was confirmed this week [week of 12 Sep

2011] by Yannis Tzanetakis, University of Arkansas. So the symptoms

that we have been seeing and sharing with concerned growers are due to

this new virus disease. Much work is being done in the Midwest to

identify the vectors and possible other hosts of the virus that may

harbor it and allow feeding vectors to move it to soybeans.



The question is: will it reduce yield or affect seed quality? So far I

have not seen enough leaf loss to imply yield effects, but we have

some time to go before maturity, so the jury is still out on the yield

effects here in the Mid-Atlantic.



The researchers have noted that multiple infections with other viruses

may increase yield loss potential. We have occasional outbreaks of

bean pod mottle virus and have seen soybean mosaic virus and peanut

stunt virus in the region, so the potential is here for multiple

infections. We do not have much information about the extent of other

virus diseases in soybeans.



Genetic resistance incorporated into good varieties will be the best

control strategy. That work is ongoing as well. It is too early for

recommendations but growers need to be aware of this disease and know

that work is being conducted to answer some of the pressing

questions.



[Byline: Bob Mulrooney]



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail





******

[3]

Date: Sat 10 Sep 2011

Source: Carroll County Times, Ag Today report [edited]







May be new virus on soybeans

----------------------------

There might be a new virus on soybeans showing up in our region [of

Maryland]. It has not yet been confirmed, however, the symptoms are

consistent with pictures from around Maryland. So far the presumptive

diagnosis based on symptoms alone is of soybean vein necrosis virus.



This is a relatively new problem and has been detected and confirmed

in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. New

York has also indicated that it has samples with similar symptoms. If

these all turn out to be soybean vein necrosis virus, then this new

disease has spread rather rapidly.



It is not yet known how serious this disease can be with regard to

affecting yield. However, the pictures and descriptions from Arkansas

and Illinois indicate that significant leaf necrosis and possible

early defoliation can occur.



[Byline: Michael R Bell]



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail





[A previously unknown virus was first identified in Tennessee in 2008

and in Illinois and Kentucky in 2009 (see ProMED-mal post

20100922.3430) as the cause of a new disease of soybeans. Symptoms

observed included vein clearing that becomes necrotic as leaves mature

leading to large necrotic regions on leaves and reduced plant vigour.



The name Soybean vein necrosis virus (SVNV) was suggested. Preliminary

classification based on protein comparisons coupled with phylogenetic

analyses has placed it in the genus _Tospovirus_ (family

_Bunyaviridae_), although it appears to have minimal similarity to

characterised members of the genus. Many tospoviruses are transmitted

by thrips, and these insects are also being investigated as possible

vectors of SVNV.



SVNV was found to affect a range of soybean cultivars and recent

surveys suggest that it may be widespread in the midwest and midsouth

of the US. No information is available yet on its presence in other

countries.



Disease management of crop viruses may include cultural techniques,

phytosanitary measures, vector control, and use of crop cultivars

resistant to the virus and/or the vectors. More information is needed

about the new virus before specific management strategies can be

designed.



Interactions between coinfecting viruses in plants are known to have

the potential to lead to severely increased effects on the host

(synergism; see link below). The mechanisms for this effect are as yet

unclear and it is therefore not possible to predict how SVNV may

interact in coinfections with the other soybean viruses mentioned

above.



Maps

USA:

and



Individual states via:





Pictures of SVNV symptoms:

,

,

, and

(disease

progression)



Links

Information and updates on SVNV:

,

,

,

, and via



Molecular characterisation of SVNV:



Genus _Tospovirus_ taxonomy:



Taxonomy and information on all other viruses via:



Management of soybean viruses:



Implications of synergism on plant virus epidemiology:

.

- Mod.DHA]



[see also:

2010

----

New viruses, soybean - South Korea, USA 20100922.3430]

.................................................dha/mj/lm

*##########################################################*

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ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that

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information, and of any statements or opinions based

thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in

using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID

and its associated service providers shall not be held

responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any

damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted

or archived material.

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

LISTERIOSIS, FATAL - USA (05): CANTALOUPE, MORE CASES AND DEATHS

****************************************************************

A ProMED-mail post



ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases





[1]

Date: Wed 21 Sep 2011

Source: CDC [edited]







CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states,

including Colorado, and the FDA to investigate a multistate outbreak

of listeriosis. Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by

eating food contaminated with the bacterium _Listeria monocytogenes_.

Investigators are using DNA analysis of Listeria isolated from

patients to identify cases of illness that may be part of this

outbreak. The _Listeria_ bacteria are obtained from diagnostic

testing; pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is used to determine

DNA fingerprint patterns. Investigators are using data from PulseNet,

the national subtyping network made up of state and local public

health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories that

perform molecular surveillance of foodborne infections.



As of 5pm EDT on 20 Sep 2011, a total of 55 persons infected with the

4 outbreak-associated strains of _Listeria monocytogenes_ have been

reported from 14 states. All illnesses started on or after 4 Aug 2011.

The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows:

California (1), Colorado (14), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Maryland

(1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (10), Oklahoma (8), Texas

(9), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (1).

Listeriosis illnesses in several other states are currently being

investigated by state and local health departments to determine

whether they are part of this outbreak.



Patient ages range from 35 to 96 years, with a median age of 78 years

old. Most ill persons are over 60 years old or have health conditions

that weaken the immune system. 59 percent of ill persons are female.

Among the 43 ill persons with available information on whether they

were hospitalized, all were hospitalized. Eight deaths have been

reported, 2 in Colorado, one in Maryland, 4 in New Mexico, and one in

Oklahoma.



About 800 cases of Listeria infection are diagnosed each year in the

USA, along with 3 or 4 outbreaks of Listeria-associated foodborne

illness. The foods that typically cause these outbreaks have been deli

meats, hot dogs, and Mexican-style soft cheeses made with

unpasteurized milk. Produce is not often identified as a source, but

sprouts caused an outbreak in 2009, and celery caused an outbreak in

2010.



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail





******

[2]

Date: Wed 21 Sep 2011

Source: Associated Press [edited]







The death toll has risen to 8 in an outbreak of listeria traced to

Colorado-grown cantaloupes, officials said Wednesday [21 Sep 2011].



The CDC said that a person in Maryland died from eating the tainted

produce. Four deaths have been reported in New Mexico and 2 in

Colorado, and one person has died in Oklahoma.



The CDC said 55 people in 14 states have now been confirmed as

sickened from eating the cantaloupes. On Mon 19 Sep 2011, the CDC

reported 4 deaths and 35 illnesses in 10 states.



The death count, the highest in a known food outbreak since tainted

peanuts were linked to 9 deaths almost 3 years ago, could go even

higher. The CDC said illnesses in several other states potentially

connected to the outbreak were under investigation.



Health officials have said they think the number of illnesses and

deaths could continue to grow because the incubation period for

listeria can be up to a month. Unlike many pathogens, listeria

bacteria can grow at room and refrigerator temperatures. The FDA and

CDC recommend anyone who may have one of the contaminated cantaloupes

throw it out immediately.



About 800 cases of listeria are found in the United States each year,

according to CDC, and there usually are 3 or 4 outbreaks. Most of

these are traced to deli meat and soft cheeses, where listeria is most

common. Produce has rarely been the culprit, but federal investigators

say they have seen more produce-related listeria illnesses in the past

2 years. It was found in sprouts in 2009 and celery in 2010.



While most healthy adults can consume listeria with no ill effects, it

can kill the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. It is

also dangerous to pregnant women because it easily passes through to

the fetus. In the current outbreak, the median age of those sickened

is 78, according to the CDC.



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail





[In the 2 days since the last update, the number of cases has

increased from 35 to 55, the deaths from 4 to 8, and the states

involved from 10 to 14. As noted in the AP report, this _Listeria_

outbreak is quickly approaching the number of deaths associated with a

_Salmonella enterica_ serotype Typhimurium outbreak linked to peanut

butter in 2009, although more than 600 cases were reported.



More cases are likely to be included in this growing outbreak in the

days to come. - Mod.LL]



[see also:

Listeriosis, fatal - USA (04): cantaloupe, alert 20110921.2866

Listeriosis, fatal - USA (03): cantaloupe susp. 20110914.2800

Listeriosis, fatal - USA (02): (CO) 20110909.2746

Listeriosis, fatal - USA: (CO) 20110605.1719

2010

----

Listeriosis, fatal - USA (03): (TX), recall 20101105.4005

Listeriosis, fatal - USA (02): (TX), recall 20101021.3813

Listeriosis, fatal - USA: (TX) 20100515.1592

Listeriosis, fatal, meat product - Canada: (ON) 20100314.0829

2009

----

Listeriosis - Australia (02): airline food, chicken wrap susp

20090820.2947

Listeriosis - Australia: airline food, chicken wrap susp

20090807.2793

Listeriosis, fatal - Chile: (Santiago) meat susp, RFI 20090411.1391

Listeriosis, Mexican-style cheeses - USA: risk, recall 20090401.1261

Listeriosis, fatal, meat product - Canada: unconf. 20090307.0957

2008

----

Listeriosis, fatal - Chile: (Santiago) cheese susp. RFI 20081128.3754

Listeriosis, fatal, meat product - Canada (04) 20081005.3147

Listeriosis, fatal, meat product - Canada: alert, recall

20080821.2605

Listeriosis - USA: (MA), update 20080118.0223

2007

----

Listeriosis - USA: (NC, MA), alert 20071230.4186

Listeriosis, nosocomial - Norway: (Oslo) 20071024.3452

Listeriosis, unpasteurized cheese - USA (IN) 20070425.1351

Listeriosis, sandwiches - UK (England): alert, recall 20070326.1049

2006

----

Listeriosis, seafood - USA 20060130.0295

2005

----

Listeriosis - USA (TX) 20050824.2491

Listeriosis - USA (NY) (05) 20050819.2431

Listeriosis - USA (NY) 20050707.1925

2004

----

Listeriosis, cluster - USA (VA) (02): background 20040723.2013]

.................................................ll/msp/ml

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are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the

information, and of any statements or opinions based

thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in

using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID

and its associated service providers shall not be held

responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any

damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted

or archived material.

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Reply Reply to all Forward



Send Save Now DiscardFrom:Mule Kist

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

RABIES VACCINE, SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENTS - INDIA: REQUEST FOR MORE INFO

***********************************************************************

A ProMED-mail post



ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases





Date: 21 Sep 2011

Source: Times of India [edited]







Two persons suffered severe respiratory problems and cardiac arrest

after they were injected with an anti-rabies vaccine at the New Delhi

Municipal (NDMC)-run Charak Palika hospital in Moti Bagh on Monday [19

Sep 2011]. [A 45-year-old male] and a [52-year-old female] are in

critical condition and have been shifted to Safdarjung hospital's ICU

ward at present. According to NDMC spokesperson Amit Prasad, all

vaccine vials have been sealed, and a 4-member committee has been

formed to inquire into the matter.



"Prima facie, it appears that an allergic reaction to the drug led to

sudden cardiac arrest and respiratory attack, said a hospital doctor,

who requested not to be named.



Sources said [the 45-year-old male] is an NDMC employee, and [the

52-year-old female] is a housewife living in Moti Bagh. Soon after

being administered the injections, they complained of severe chest

pain and were admitted to the emergency unit of the hospital. A team

of doctors, including cardiologists and anesthetists, tried to revive

them, but when their condition deteriorated further, they were shifted

to Safdarjung hospital.



"My mother had gone to NDMC hospital for the 3rd dose of anti-rabies

vaccine. The vaccine caused sudden cardiac arrest, and her condition

is critical. She is in coma and has been put on a life support

system," claimed Harish, Chandra Devi's son who works with the Delhi

Police. He said that they have filed an FIR against the hospital in

this case.



[The 45-year-old male's] condition is also serious, and he is on

ventilator support. His cousin said that [he] was perfectly fine when

he left the home. "We were informed about his condition almost an hour

later," he said.



According to Dr P K Sharma, the NDMC health officer, anti-rabies

vaccines were given to 12 patients on Monday [19 Sep 2011] including

[the above mentioned individuals]. "All the other patients are fine.

The 2 patients who suffered chest pain and cardiac arrest were given

injections from a new vial. As a preventive measure, we have sealed

all vaccines, and a committee has been formed to inquire into the

matter. Drug reaction from rabies vaccines is extremely rare," he

said.



Sharma added that the expiry date of the vaccines is the year 2013.

NDMC gives anti-rabies vaccines to more than 500 patients every month.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) gives over 10 000 anti-rabies

vaccines monthly. Said Dr V K Monga, Chairman of the MCD health

committee, "I have never come across a case where anti-rabies vaccine

causes such a fatal reaction. Let the committee report come, and if

any problem is found with the particular batch of vaccine, we will

also review our injections."



Another expert said, "The various minor side effects that may develop

during and after a course of anti-rabies treatment includes fever,

headache, insomnia and diarrhoea. Sensitization to proteins contained

in older vaccines can cause a sudden shock-like collapse, usually

towards the end of the course of treatment." He added that no comment

can be passed in this case without further examination.



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail



[According to the WHO 2010 position paper on rabies vaccines, there

are an estimated 20 000 deaths annual attributable to rabies in

India.



There are 2 types of rabies vaccines for humans, nerve tissue and cell

culture vaccines. WHO recommends all countries replace the use of

nerve tissue vaccines with the use of the more efficacious, safer

vaccines developed through cell culture as soon as possible. In the

past, India had been using the neural tissue vaccines but has changed

over to the use of the cell culture vaccines.



The concentrated and purified cell-culture (CCV) and embryonated

egg-based (EEV) rabies vaccines (jointly referred to as CCEEVs) have

proved to be safe and effective in preventing rabies. Nerve tissue

vaccines have been associated with more severe adverse reactions and

are generally more immunogenic than the CCEEVs and are no longer

recommended for use by WHO. CCEEVs contain rabies virus that has been

propagated in cell substrates such as human diploid cells (embryonic

fibroblast cells), fetal rhesus diploid cells, Vero cells (African

green monkey kidney cells), primary Syrian hamster kidney cells,

primary chick embryo cells or embryonated duck eggs. The more recently

developed vaccines that are based on chick embryo cells and Vero cells

have safety and efficacy records comparable to those of the human

diploid cell vaccines and are less expensive.



Following growth in the respective cell cultures (or embryonic egg),

the viral harvest is concentrated, purified, inactivated and

lyophilized. Some of the CCEEVs use human albumin or processed gelatin

as a stabilizer. WHO prequalified rabies vaccines do not use

preservatives such as thimerosal.



Recommendations for post-exposure depend on the type of contact with

the suspected rabid animal. For category I exposure (touching or

feeding animals, licks on intact skin), no prophylaxis is required;

for category II (nibbling of uncovered skin, minor scratches or

abrasions without bleeding), immediate vaccination; and for category

III (single or multiple transdermal bites or scratches, contamination

of mucous membrane with saliva from licks, licks on broken skin,

exposures to bats), immediate vaccination and administration of rabies

immunoglobulin are recommended.



According to WHO data on post rabies vaccines adverse events,

approximately 35-45 percent of recipients develop minor and transient

erythema (redness), pain and/or swelling at the vaccination site,

especially following intradermal booster administration. Mild systemic

events such as transient fever, headache, dizziness and

gastrointestinal symptoms have been observed in 5-15 percent of

vaccinees. More serious adverse events -- mainly allergic or

neurological -- have been noted to rarely occur

().



The above description of the serious adverse events in 2 individuals

vaccinated from the same newly opened vial of vaccine is suggestive of

the possibility of an additive substance used in that vial of vaccine

prior to administration that led to the apparently rapid onset of

chest pain and respiratory distress. As the rabies vaccines are

lyophilized, the possibility of a contaminant or incorrect solution

used in the reconstitution of the vaccine needs to be considered as

well. It is noteworthy that there were other individuals vaccinated

the same day in the same clinic, presumably using the same substance

for reconstitution of the lyophilized vaccine. The possibility of 2

consecutive rare serious allergic reactions is there, but the

probability of that occurring due to chance seems very low (this

moderator was not able to easily find data on the incidence of

post-vaccine allergic reactions; most documents just mention "very

rare").



More information on findings of the investigations into these events

from knowledgeable individuals would be greatly appreciated.



For the HealthMap/ProMED map of India highlighting New Delhi, the

capital city, see . - Mod.MPP]



[see also:

Rabies - India (15): (AP), human, vaccine failure 20110726.2256

Rabies - India (14): (KA), squirrel, human 20110713.2117

Rabies - India (13): (TN) canine, human 20110707.2059

Rabies - India (12): (MA) PEP failure 20110621.1892

Rabies - India (11): (MA) PEP failure 20110620.1884

Rabies - India (07): (AP) canine, human 20110523.1563

Rabies - India (06): (AP) canine, human 20110522.1558

Rabies - India (05): (AP) canine, human 20110518.1506

Rabies - India (04): (AP) canine, human 20110517.1500

Rabies - India (03): (TN), dog control, human 20110421.1249

Rabies - India (02): (MZ) canine control, human exposure

20110407.1088

Rabies - India: (AP) canine, human exposure 20110102.0018

2010

----

Rabies, canine, human - India (03): (MI) 20101018.3780

Rabies - USA: (VA) ex India, 2009 20101003.3585

Rabies, animal, human - India (02): (GA) 20100720.2431

Rabies, animal, human - India: (HR) 20100629.2164

Rabies, canine, human - India: (JD) susp, RFI 20100228.0666

2009

----

Rabies, human, animals - India: (HP), susp. RFI 20091119.3991

Rabies, human, control - India (TN) 20090422.1511

Rabies, human - UAE ex India 20090220.0723

1999

----

Rabies vaccine, reactions - Brazil (Sao Paulo) (02) 19991215.2165

Rabies vaccine, reactions - Brazil (Sao Paulo): RFI 19991203.2121

1997

----

Rabies, human, vaccine allergies (02) 19971129.2375

Rabies, human, vaccine allergies: RFI 19971120.2338]

.................................................sb/mpp/msp/dk

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ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that

are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the

information, and of any statements or opinions based

thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in

using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID

and its associated service providers shall not be held

responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any

damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted

or archived material.

************************************************************

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************************************************************

Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .

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