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.