New Issue of Healthy Animals Now Online

The Agricultural Research Service today posted a new issue of Healthy Animals at:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/ha/han19.htm

This quarterly online newsletter compiles ARS news and expert resources on the health and well-being of agricultural animals and fish.

Each quarter, one article in Healthy Animals focuses on a particular element of ARS animal research. The current issue looks at avian and swine influenza viruses. Scientists are now learning more about the behavior of flu viruses in poultry and pigs, and how animals can be hosts for the viruses that affect humans.

Other research highlighted in this issue includes:

• Development of a year-round supply of sunshine bass fingerlings.
• A new facility to study stress indicators in livestock.
• The sequencing of a gene that helps regulate feed intake and energy expenditure in turkeys.
• Two new methods to detect feed additives used to produce leaner cuts of pork and beef.
• Proteins from harmless microorganisms used to reduce Campylobacter and other pathogens by 99.999 percent in poultry intestines.

Professionals interested in animal health issues may want to bookmark the site as a resource for locating animal health experts. An index lists ARS research locations covering approximately 70 animal health topics. These range from specific diseases, such as Lyme disease, to broad subjects like nutrition or parasites. The site also provides complete contact information for the more than 25 ARS research groups that conduct studies aimed at protecting and improving farm animal health.

To receive an e-mail alert about each future issue's posting online, contact Jim Core, ARS Information Staff, or sign up online.

ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.