Announcements and Disease Updates

Announcements

Current Job Openings
Brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) Map
Disease Updates
Antibiograms
WLSB Announces Changes to the Reimbursement Process for Brucellosis Regulatory Testing
- Starting September 1, 2023, WLSB initiated a new reimbursement procedure. WLSB now tracks all Wyoming State
  Veterinary Lab (WSVL) brucellosis test records for the purposes of reimbursement. For test records that meet
  requirements for reimbursement, WLSB will create a monthly reimbursement invoice and electronically send the
  invoice, test records, and current W-9 to the veterinarian or facility for verification. Your invoice will be sent from
  one of the following email addresses: joel.douglas@wyo.gov or darrick.jurden@wyo.gov. The veterinarian/facility
  will review the documents, note any required changes, and acknowledge approval to WLSB for processing. WLSB
  will finalize the documents and submit the packet for payment. Payment is issued in the form of a mailed check or
  direct deposit, per payee preferences.
Incomplete Paperwork Fee
- In July, we adopted a new fee schedule at WSVL.
  
  Hereby, we would like to remind you that per our fee schedule, there will be a fee for incomplete paperwork requiring phone calls to clients, as well as a handling fee for samples that are sent out to referral labs.
  
  Currently, we have not implemented these fees, however, we would like to inform you that starting October 1, 2023, we will add these charges to our invoices as applicable.
Bangoura Named Interim Director of the WSVL
- Berit Bangoura, an associate professor in the University of Wyoming Department of Veterinary Sciences, has been appointed interim director of the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) effective July 1.
BSL3 necropsy facility at WSVL sees its first use in disease investigation
- The biosafety level 3 necropsy facility at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory saw its first use last week as part of a disease investigation. According to Dr. Sondgeroth, a veterinary bacteriologist, “The unit was designed to necropsy animals suspected of having diseases with high zoonotic potential (like brucellosis, anthrax, plague or tularemia). There are very few veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the US that have this type of facility, and we are fortunate to be able to utilize this facility going forward”. The facility was used extensively during the pandemic for UW COVID-19 testing which delayed implementation for its intended purpose of animal disease diagnosis.
Changes to Trichomoniasis Testing
- We would like to let you know that we have implemented a new and more sensitive trichomoniasis test at our lab. The new test is based on Tritrichomonas RNA detection. Benefits of the new assay include the ability to accept different submission media (Lactated Ringer's solution (LRS), PBS, Diamond's media, and TF tubes) and a longer acceptable transport time of up to 5 days from sample collection to receipt of the samples at WSVL.
  
  Please see the new trichomoniasis sample submission requirements.
- The major points are:
  - please use SCREW-CAP tubes filled with 3 mL of one of the acceptable collection media
  - pre-filled screw-cap tubes with LRS and appropriate packaging material will be available from WSVL per request
  - if preferred, alternatively also empty screw-cap tubes with packaging material are available from WSVL per request
  - please consider appropriate sample quality and quantity (at least 1 mL sample volume needed at the WSVL)
  - please submit a fully completed WLSB trichomoniasis test form for official testing
  - please submit all samples FRESH (at room temperature or refrigerated, NOT frozen, NOT subjected to excessive heat - please see attached sample submission guideline)
- At the same time, the WLSB has adjusted the official trichomoniasis test sample submission form. This form is available for download on the either the WLSB website or on our WSVL website Please make sure to check "Pool samples at the lab" if you wish the samples to be pooled for analysis. If the box is not checked, we will test samples individually.
- Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Berit Bangoura (bbangour@uwyo.edu, phone (307) 766-9925) with any questions regarding trichomoniasis testing at our lab.
New Fee Schedule July 1
- WSVL will begin implementation of our new fee schedule on samples received on or after July 1, 2023. We appreciate your continued support and don’t hesitate to contact the laboratory if you have any questions.
Clinical Pathology Update
- Effective immediately, we will be sending out serum chemistries to a reference lab for testing. This is due to an error in our instrument used for chemistry panels, and we are currently troubleshooting how to fix the problem. Meanwhile, WSVL will honor our serum chemistry panel rate, and cover the difference in shipping and reference lab testing. Recently tested samples may have been affected by incorrect readings of creatinine, calcium, and total CO2 values. If you are concerned about these parameters, we offer complimentary testing by a referral lab for resubmissions of potentially affected serum samples. We appreciate your business, and will update you as soon as we have more information. If you have questions, please feel free to call Dr. Bangoura at 307-766-9925.
Cytology Update
- WSVL will no longer be offering blood film review cytology. Starting January 30th, 2023, any cytology sample received for blood film review will be forwarded to CSU for testing. Respective samples will be shipped to CSU via ground UPS. Referral lab results are usually reported within 4 days. Each case submitted will cost $48.00 plus shipping costs. We hope the overall impact of this change to you is minimal, as our goal is to continue to provide quality diagnostic services to our clients.

What is an antibiogram?

The antibiogram is a summary of antimicrobial susceptibilities of bacterial isolates submitted to WSVL. We will provide annual antibiograms to assist our clients in determining antibiotic therapy prior to knowing the susceptibility information.

Disease Updates

Plague and Tularemia in Wyoming - September 2023

This week, the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) has diagnosed Yersinia pestis, the bacteria responsible for Plague, in an Albany County cat. The cat is an indoor/outdoor pet who hunts rodents. It is responding well to treatment and no human illness has been reported with the case. So far in 2023, two cats and a prairie dog have tested positive for Plague in the State of Wyoming. Plague is a serious infection that is deadly for people and pets if not immediately treated with antibiotics. See the distribution map at the link in the title.

Tularemia is another bacterial infection that is a serious threat to humans and pets. In 2023, the WSVL has diagnosed four cases of Tularemia in pets and wildlife in Wyoming. Both Plague and Tularemia are transmitted to pets from ingesting infected animals or fleas bites coming from infected animals. Symptoms of infection include fever, lethargy, coughing, swollen lymph nodes, especially under the jaw, and decreased appetite. Vomiting and diarrhea are also possible. Recommendations for prevention are keeping fleas off of indoor and outdoor pets by applying flea control products. Animals that free roam outdoors are more likely to contact plague or tularemia infected animals. If pets appear sick, seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

West Nile Virus Cases Update - September 2023

During the month of August and the end of July, the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) has detected serologic and PCR evidence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in 24 equine submissions from 10 Wyoming counties. In the past 5 years and in comparison to this year, the laboratory has detected lower numbers of cases serologically. 2018 also had increased detection numbers with acute phase antibody detection in 14 equine submissions. From 2019 to 2022, there were a total of 11 cases with detected WNV acute phase antibodies (2019- 3 cases, 2020- 0 cases, 2021- 5 cases and 2022- 3 cases). In the past 5 years, WNV has not been detected with PCR in any equine submissions. See the distribution map at the title link.

West Nile Virus is transmitted by mosquitos. WNV affects humans and other animals, especially birds and horses. Affected animals can present with a variety of clinical signs varying from no clinical disease to potential lethal encephalitis, inflammation in the brain. Horses can recover from infection but can be left with long term side effects. Many of the recent WY cases have had a variety of neurologic signs, including generalized or hind-end weakness, lethargy, incoordination and stumbling as well as muscle twitching, drooping head and abnormal sensitivity to outside stimuli. Some of the horses have had a fever and most of the horses have either no or a poor vaccine history. Annual vaccination is the best form of protection as well as implementation of mosquito control and decreased exposure to mosquitos.

Strangles Cases Update - August 2023

The Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) has isolated Streptococcus equi ssp. equi in three separate cases from Southeastern Wyoming during the month of August. The related bacterial disease is also known as Strangles. Strangles is a reportable highly contagious upper respiratory disease in horses that can present with nasal discharge and abscessed lymph nodes. Transmission of the bacteria happens generally from nose-to-nose contact with infected horses but can also occur with shared tack and feed containers.

Since 2020, 38 cases of strangles have been detected at our lab, out of 11 different Wyoming counties (please see case map at the link in the title). While there is no clear seasonality, we already detected 9 cases in 2023.

Brucellosis Confirmed in Sweetwater County - June 2023

The Wyoming State Veterinarian received confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, Ames, IA, that seven cattle originating in a herd from Sweetwater County, WY, were positive for brucellosis. The brucellosis positive cattle, also known as reactors, were initially identified at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) in Laramie. The herd was identified on a routine slaughter sample submitted as part of Wyoming’s voluntary custom slaughter brucellosis surveillance program. The sample indicated a possible brucellosis reactor, prompting testing of the herd.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Infuenza in a Domestic Cat

WSVL diagnosed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in a barn cat near Thermopolis, WY. We know that wild birds, particularly water fowl, have been affected in large numbers by HPAI, but in recent months we have detected the virus in wild carnivorous mammals including mountain lions and a red fox. This is the first report of HPAI in a domestic cat in Wyoming, and it likely became infected from ingesting meat from wild waterfowl. Clinical signs for mammals include those that are associated with neurological signs including change in behavior, decrease in awareness of surroundings and loss of energy. These signs may be indistinguishable from an animal affected with rabies. For testing of domestic species, we recommend your veterinarian submitting the whole carcass. Please contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept (WGFD) for disposal recommendations for any dead waterfowl your pets can access, or to report dead or sick wild carnivores. As the HPAI outbreak continues, please make sure that you are using gloves and masks when handling sick or dead mammals and birds. Report any sick wildlife to the WGFD through the online reporting tool at the link in the title.

Mycoplasma bovis Outbreak in Pronghorn

The WSVL received three pronghorn carcasses from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) in early March, following reports of multiple pronghorn mortalities in the Pinedale area. All three pronghorn had severe pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma bovis. This bacterium has been associated with other high mortality outbreaks in pronghorn near Gillette in 2019 and 2020. The estimated number of pronghorn mortalities at this time is 300, and the WGFD is working to remove carcasses so that other healthy animals are not exposed. While Mycoplasma bovis causes fatal pneumonia in pronghorn and bison, it typically does not cause severe disease in cattle. The WGFD has an online reporting tool for the public to utilize, if they see any additional sick pronghorn in other areas of the state. Click the link in the title.

Contact Us

Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory

1174 Snowy Range Rd

Laramie, WY 82070

Phone: 307-766-9925

Toll Free: 1-800-442-8331

Fax: 307-721-2051

Email: vetrec@uwyo.edu