Vets checking horses at fair
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
Around the time of last year's Klickitat County Fair, many horse owners in the area became aware of a new horse disease, called pigeon fever. A number of horses at last year's fair were diagnosed with the bacterial infection shortly after the fair closed, and some have expressed concern that the disease may return with this year's fair to infect their horses.
Pigeon fever is caused by Cornybacterium pseudotuberculosis and is spread among horses by insects, primarily biting flies. And while the disease might have been new to area horsemen, the disease itself has been around a long time. Pigeon fever is a western disease found from Colorado to the west coast. It flares in arid conditions, most often in the autumn months, but can occur at any time of year. The disease gets its name from the typical swollen chest caused by abscesses.
Did last year's outbreak occur due to an infected horse at the county fair? It is possible, experts say, but the fact that the disease is spread by flies means it is also possible that flies, attracted by the assemblage of animals and manure, brought the bacteria with them. It might also be coincidental, because there is often a delay between infection and clinical symptoms. The bacteria are very hardy, living for years in the soil. The incubation period can be several months, so it is difficult to tell when infected horses were first exposed.
Horses entered for exhibition are inspected when they enter the fair. "We didn't have horses with open sores, or we would have sent them home," said Carl Conroy, Veterinarian with the Mid-Columbia Veterinary Clinic. Last year was not the first time Conroy has dealt with the disease, but it is not a yearly occurrence. "We had an outbreak in 1992," said Conroy. Asked about precautions that are being taken for this year's fair, Conroy said animals will be inspected and the Fair Board is going to work hard on fly control.
The disease is rarely fatal in horses. Most of the time it causes abscesses that become external and drain, either on their own or with treatment. Treatment is the preferred control because the wound drainage can contaminate soil with the bacteria, and treatment can lessen the injury to the horse. Some of the abscesses are internal and can be painful and even fatal, though death is infrequent. Internal abscesses are often associated with the kidneys.
Horse owners should examine their horses for any swelling, particularly in the breast and abdomen. Veterinarians can diagnose the disease by aspirating the abscess.
Sheep, goats, and cattle can also become infected, and humans can transport the disease on boots and clothing that comes in contact with open abscesses. There are vaccines for sheep and goats, but not for horses. The best prevention is to treat cuts and scratches, since most infections are thought to invade open wounds or sores. Control of manure and flies is also helpful.
Ballot box aims to make voting easier
Lou Marzeles
News Editor
The new ballot drop box is here, and voters now have the option to walk up or drive by and drop in their ballots.
"It makes it much more convenient," County Auditor Brenda Sorenson said Monday as she opened the box and removed 22 ballots dropped off just that day. Also with her to retrieve ballots were Voter Registration Specialist Mert Scheradella and Elections Administrator Brandie Sullivan.
"We're required at have at least two people at the box when we open it and pick up the ballots," Sorenson explained.
The drop box is on Columbus Avenue at Court Street, just opposite Hometown Pizza. Its location allows for drivers to pull up to the curb and go to the box to drop in ballots. (The box is not directly accessible from a vehicle; drivers can pull up adjacent to the box but must then get out of the car to reach the drop slot.) The box has two drop slots, one facing the curb and one on the opposite side, so pedestrian passersby can easily drop in ballots from the sidewalk. Installed Aug. 5, the box is just in time for the primary election this coming Tuesday.
To see a list of candidates who have filed with the Office of Secretary of State for the upcoming elections, visit the following web site: http://wei.secstate. wa.gov/osos/en/candidatefiling/Pages/Candidateswhohavefiled.aspx.
The following site has complete information on the timeline for the entire election process: http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/klickitat/Elections/CurrentElection/Pages/default.aspx.
For more information about the state's new voter registration deadlines, visit : http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/auditorsCTP/clearinghouse/2009/0902.pdf.
Federal stimulus dollars at work in Klickitat County
Travelers on highways 97 and 14 had to work their way through construction zones during the recent triple-digit heat, as the federal stimulus dollars made their way into the area. Delays will continue as 12 miles of highway 97 is being repaved between Centerville and Satus Pass. The work is expected to be completed by September.
The work on Highway 14 involves chip seal on six miles of roadway between Wishram Heights and Roosevelt. Pilot cars are guiding lines of cars and trucks through construction zones.
The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided $3.8 million for the Highway 97 project. The Highway 14 project was billed at $600,000. Granite Northwest, Inc., of Yakima was the winning bidder for both projects. According to the Department of Transportation, the two jobs support approximately 40 jobs in the local communities. |
