Tempted though I am to do some sort of April the Fool joke tomorrow I will resist..... and get down to the serious business of Alpacas and the recent spate of infections which appear to be going around.

Here is a very interesting piece from Sandy Wallace:

As a human Infectious Diseases MD specialist involved with Infection Control at several major hospitals, I have the following comments:

It is absolutely believable that this is an outbreak of Coronavirus. That's far more likely than the parasites mentioned. However, it is not uncommon, particularly in developing countries, for a viral or bacterial acute diarrheal illness to allow the shedding of parasites that were living in "peaceful co-existence" in the gut. I think that explains why Sandra's vet found various parasites on fecal exam. Maybe the outbreak is really due to some other virus or viruses, but the pattern and nature of the illness is consistent with viral disease.

I agree that we are probably utilizing antibiotic preparations way too frequently, and the wiser course would be to support with fluids and electrolytes. However, that's easy for me to say, as my animals are agisted and I know a whole lot more about taking care of sick people than taking care of sick alpacas! I am impressed by the lack of similarity between camelids and people--you have no way of knowing if a medication is going to be absorbed from one of the "stomachs", and how much damage it may do.

Most likely this was spread by fecal-oral contamination, and much less likely the water in Phoenix. Someone mentioned the beginning of diarrhea at an even earlier show in Texas. Having watched the vet check-in procedures and owner laxity at some shows, it's hard to believe that we don't have more such outbreaks (and I have been guilty of this, as well!). It really is imperative that we insist on certain hygeinic standards for AOBA shows--at the 2007 AlpacaFest West I think we stepped up to the proverbial plate, and only a few people complained about the check-in procedures. All animals were examined by the vets in their trailers before off-loading, so as not to contaminate other animals. It's safe to assume that all animals on one trailer have common exposures. The vets wore impermeable cover gowns, gloves, and booties, which were removed and disposed of after each trailer, and the ground on which the vet stood while removing the garments was disinfected. There was strict limitation of the number of people to have direct physical contact with the animals on each trailer, basically one vet and the driver. There was liberal use of alcohol-based hand gel. I think that in general, with the recent/ongoing snots outbreak, owners were more cautious about letting their animals have physical contact with animals from other farms. A facility was available for housing symptomatic animals, away from the show area.

It may well be a co-incidence, but I don't think there were any reports of illness related to AFW 2007, despite the sever outbreak of snots that led up to it.

Thanks,

By all means, share my comments with anyone you want to. My additional suggestion for hygiene at the shows would be for the alpaca judges to put on a fresh pair of gloves before examining each rear end of an animal. The steward could carry a box of gloves and bag for the used gloves. This would add only an additional 15 seconds to the examination of each animal. Only the handler should show the teeth. Of course, the judge would not glove for the rest of the examination, but I think the fleece is far less contaminated than the front and rear ends, and the judge must be able to do a thorough evaluation of the fleece.