EEE in Maryland Confirmed

The state’s first Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus positive sample of mosquitoes since 2004 has been confirmed. The mosquitoes were collected from the Pocomoke River swamp in northern Worcester County. The virus was detected in a pool of Culiseta melanura or “dark swamp mosquitoes,” a species rarely found outside of its swamp habitat. The dark swamp mosquito feeds primarily on birds. The Pocomoke swamp is the area of Maryland where EEE is most frequently found due to the high number of mosquitoes and a high population of breeding and migratory birds.

“We have known that EEE is active on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland for years and conduct active surveillance to detect its presence,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Mosquito Control Chief Cyrus Lesser. “The presence of EEE in mosquitoes increases the importance for people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. The Maryland Department of Agriculture will continue to monitor mosquito populations in the lower Eastern Shore region and increase mosquito control measures through September.”

The last reported human case of EEE in Maryland was in 1989. Two equine cases of EEE in Maryland were confirmed on July 28, 2003, for the first time since 1996. The human and equine cases occurred on the lower Eastern Shore. This is the second occurrence of mosquito-born virus in Worcester County in 2007. The first was a probable human case of WNV illness reported in August.

Iodine Continued

In the September issue, we published a letter from Henry Holloway, owner of The Mill, regarding a new ban on the sale of products containing greater than 2.2% iodine unless the retailer obtains a license and submits to strict regulation. This month, we provide Equiery readers with more information from the American Horse Council and some follow up from The Mill regarding iodine products still available without special licensing.

Dear Maryland Equestrians:

The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration is regulating the general sale of iodine that is stronger than 2.2 percent because iodine crystals and iodine tincture are used to make methamphetamines. As you are aware, iodine is used in the horse industry for various treatments such as cleaning wounds or dipping newborn foals’ umbilical cords. Although iodine that is stronger than 2.2 percent will not be available for purchase over the counter, it will still be available through veterinarians.

According to Dr. Thomas R. Lenz of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, this regulation should not cause problems for the horse industry. Iodine solutions that are appropriate for equine use and are purchased at various tack shops and equine stores are less than the 2.2 percent iodine and would not be regulated. Povidone-iodine solutions that are commonly used, such as Betadine, read 10 percent solution on the label, but are actually equal to just 1 percent available iodine. These most commonly used solutions would still be available for purchase without having to go through a veterinarian.

The strong 7 percent tincture of iodine is regulated now, but according to Dr. Lenz it is not the best thing for use on horses as it damages skin. Though regulated, it will still be available through veterinarians. If veterinarians are already registered to handle controlled substances, they will not need to register to use iodine products that are stronger than 2.2 percent. However under the new regulations, anyone who sells these products must maintain record of the transaction for two years.

Thank you, and if you have any further questions, please let me know.

Kerry Thompson

Director of Health & Regulatory Affairs American Horse Council

The Equiery wants to know: would it be possible for the Department of Agriculture to regulate this substance? MDA currently regulates the sale of pesticides, already requiring that a retailer (such as a farm store) be regulated and licensed in order to sell restricted-use pesticides. Would it be possible for regulation of iodine to somehow be folded into that oversight, eliminating the need for the retailer to register with two government agencies?

Maryland Needs Better Show Facilities!

Dear Editor:

This past weekend the Maryland State Quarter Horse Association held a very nice Black-Eyed Susan show at Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia. The facility was lovely, although it did have some problems that can be easily remedied (e.g., stalls need some work, inaudible PA). The biggest problem--It’s not in Maryland! It is an insult to Maryland horse people and the industry that the state does not have an adequate facility where state associations can hold a show.

Page Pratt Woodbine, MD

The Immigrant Labor Situation The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recently hosted a conference call for state Farm Bureaus and staff with senior administration offi cials to discuss the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation related to the use of Social Security “ no-match” letters in the enforcement of immigration laws.

In response to questions from call participants, administration offi cials acknowledged that there remain several gray areas not addressed in the no-match rule-making and that these would be appropriate subjects for a compliance guidance document that DHS is developing. At the same time, administration officials solicited suggestions for regulatory reform of the H-2a agricultural guest worker program to help alleviate labor shortages; President Bush has directed the Labor Department to review the H-2a regulations for ways to make the program easier to use while maintaining workers’ rights.

In response to administration requests, AFBF will be drafting a comment letter urging the administration to expedite the H-2a rule-making and streamline the program wherever possible, consistent with protecting workers’ rights. We are requesting information from state Farm Bureaus that will help draft our comments. AFBF intends to compile the information provided by the states. Once we have a working draft, we will share it and schedule a conference call for state Farm Bureaus to provide feedback.

AFBF is making every eff ort to achieve farm labor reform, including participating in the administration’s rule-making eff ort to reform the H- 2a program. AFBF does not regard participation in the regulatory reform eff ort as substitute for, nor an obstacle to, our efforts on Capitol Hill in seeking legislative reform.

©2007 The Equiery
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