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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 10, 2017)
November 10, 2017 T he C olumbia P ress Deadly bacteria affecting local sea lions Oregon and California are seeing an increase in the number of stranded sea lions along the coast due to lep- tospirosis, bacteria that can sicken dogs, livestock, people and other wildlife. “Over the past few months, we have been getting calls for multiple sick or dead sea lions daily, which is higher than normal,” said Jim Rice, a researcher with the Ore- gon State University Marine Mammal Institute. At least eight cases of lepto- spirosis have been confirmed through OSU’s Oregon Vet- erinary Diagnostic Laborato- ry since the outbreak began in late September, mostly on beaches in Clatsop, Tilla- mook and Lincoln counties. While leptospirosis occurs worldwide, outbreaks occur sporadically in marine mam- mals, with the last Oregon outbreak in 2010. The disease can spread when an animal comes in contact with urine or other bodily fluids of an infected animal and can lead to kid- ney failure, fever, weakness, muscle pain and other symp- toms. In Oregon, young male sea lions are typically affect- ed and usually show signs of dehydration, depression and reluctance to use their hind flippers. While there is a small risk of transmission to people, dogs are most at risk of becom- ing infected by approaching stranded sea lions on the beach or coming in contact with body fluid from sick or dead sea lions. People walk- ing their dogs on the beach should keep their dogs on a leash and not allow them to get close to stranded sea li- ons. “Pets should be kept away from sea lions as leptospiro- sis can cause severe disease,” said Emilio DeBess, state public health veterinarian of Cindy Yingst/The Columbia Press A sea lion stakes its claim on a dock at the Skipanon Marina. the Oregon Health Author- ity. “If your dog becomes ill after being exposed to sick or dead sea lions, contact your veterinarian immediately.” There are vaccines available to protect dogs and horses against leptospirosis. People who observe sick sea lions or other marine mam- mals on the beach should stay at least 50 feet away and report them to the Oregon State Police at 800-452-7888. (OSP shares reports with the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network.) Even when sea lions are healthy, it’s never a good idea to approach them. It’s a viola- tion of federal and state laws to harass, disturb, touch or feed marine mammals. For more information, call ODFW’s wildlife health hot- line at 866-968-2600. 5 College Board member honored Rosemary Baker-Mon- tional Park Association and aghan, who has served on is a former president of the the Clatsop Commu- Astoria Rotary Club. nity College Board Currently serving since 2000, has been her fourth elected named Outstanding four-year term, Bak- Board Member by the er-Monaghan rep- Oregon Community resents Zone 3, which College Association. includes Warrenton, Baker-Monaghan Gearhart, Seaside, Baker-Monaghan Cannon Beach and was lauded by col- lege President Chris Arch Cape. Breitmeyer as an outstand- The award, named after ing leader, campus diversity the late Dr. Howard Cher- champion and passionate ry, a Portland orthopedic advocate for classroom se- surgeon and educational curity and campus safety. advocate, recognizes board In addition to the college members, employees and board, she has served on advocates of community Clatsop Economic Develop- colleges who make a differ- ment Resources, or CEDR, ence. the Lewis and Clark Na- She lives in Seaside.