OAHN update – December 2023

Mike Deane, Tanya Rossi

Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON

This fall, the OAHN networks worked on research projects and held multiple species-specific network meetings.  We are also planning our 2024 Annual General Meeting for February of next year – this meeting allows our species networks to take stock of the previous year, share their successes and challenges with their peers, and plan for veterinary projects and resources in 2024.  To view any of our network reports and research projects, go to OAHN.ca and navigate to the species in which you are interested. 

                                              A message from the OAHN Bees Working Group: Varroa and Hive Health

As we head into the end of the beekeeping season, it is important to remember that colony health and winter survival depend on proper colony management.  Varroa mites are the primary cause of colony mortality in Ontario.  While beekeepers are treating for varroa mites, they must recognize that all treatments have limitations.  Beekeepers should not assume their varroa levels are under control simply because a treatment has been applied.  Beekeepers are strongly encouraged to take the extra steps to check their varroa levels, the efficacy of treatments and take further action if needed.

We are also reminding beekeepers to use the 2023 Ontario Varroa Monitoring Campaign questionnaire to share their data.  These data are important to capture the reality of what is occurring with varroa and support future projects addressing this very serious pest.

https://www.oahn.ca/resources/varroa-monitoring/

OAHN 2023 Public Health Update

The OAHN Companion Animal Network has created the 2023 Public Health Update.  This annual update was created especially for public health professionals in Ontario to highlight pertinent topics from the last 12 months from the OAHN companion animal and other species networks, and to help strengthen the link and communication between animal health and public health networks. This year’s update includes information about: HPAI in dogs and cats, H5N1 in feral cats, echinococcosis, Lyme disease, blastomycosis, Salmonella and raw food diets, piscine lactococcosis, wildfire smoke and equines, Chlamydia and pet birds, rabies titres in imported dogs, rabies updates, and more!  Find it here: https://www.oahn.ca/resources/2023-oahn-public-health-update/

New Reports

Most OAHN networks create reports once per quarter. To view any of the veterinary reports below, please click on the OAHN icon for each network, or go to OAHN.ca and navigate to the species in which you are interested.