DOVER — A Kent County horse has tested positive for West Nile Virus, the Department of Agriculture announced today.

The horse, which is recovering well, is Delaware’s first confirmed equine case of West Nile Virus since 2003, said Delaware State Veterinarian Dr. Heather Hirst.

“Prevention is key, and effective vaccines are available to help protect horses against these types of diseases,” said Hirst, who heads the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health Section. In addition to this case of West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, was recently detected in a sentinel chicken flock in Sussex County.

“Vaccination is a simple and cost-effective way of preventing these diseases, far cheaper than the cost of supportive care, as there is no treatment,” Hirst said. “Horse owners should take full precautions to keep their horses safe, and be on the alert for signs of infection.”

Unvaccinated horses are at greatest risk of developing clinical signs from both West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), which are spread by mosquitoes and can be fatal. Both horses and humans can contract WNV and EEE if bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, but it is important to note that the viruses are not transmitted between horses or from horses to people. The viruses normally exist in a cycle between mosquitoes and birds, but occasionally EEE can be transmitted from mosquitoes to mammals.

Hirst said horse owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if they suspect their horse may be showing signs of WNV or EEE. Symptoms of EEE in horses include fever (102.5-104.5°F), loss of appetite, head pressing, depression or personality change, wobbling or staggering, weakness, blindness, convulsions, muscle tremors in the head and neck, and hind-limb weakness. These signs are also consistent with WNV, although a fever may or may not be present with WNV.

Delaware’s last confirmed equine case of EEE was in 2005, and its last confirmed equine case of WNV was in 2003.

Owners should consult with their veterinarians about best WNV and EEE vaccination programs, Hirst said.

To reduce mosquito breeding, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control advises people to drain or remove items that collect water, such as discarded buckets or containers, uncovered trash cans, stagnant birdbaths, unprotected rain barrels or cisterns, old tires, upright wheelbarrows, flowerpot liners, depressions in tarps covering boats, clogged rain gutters, downspout extenders, and unused swimming pools.

For more information about:

• Mosquito biology/ecology and control – Contact the Mosquito Control Section’s Dover office at 302-739-9917.
• WNV in humans and related medical issues – Contact the Delaware Division of Public Health at 888-295-5156.
• WNV or EEE in horses and equine vaccines – Contact the Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health Section at 302-698-4500 or 800-282-8685 (Delaware only).
• West Nile virus – visit the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

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Contact:
Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520

Wilmington, DE – The Delaware Children’s Department is making $1.9 Million dollars in grant funding available to community and faith based organizations, schools, non-profit and for profit agencies and governmental agencies to implement after school and summer youth prevention programming. The Department (DSCYF) through its Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (PBHS) is accepting applications for the funding through September 19th. An informational bidder’s conference will be held September 3rd.

Programs must include evidence based practices or programs related to preventing youth violence and/or youth suicide. They must also include positive opportunities for youth by using curriculums that are academic, cultural, artistic, agricultural or recreational in nature, and include information on how children will access the program. Successful applicants must also agree to receive training in suicide and violence prevention strategies.

In his State of the State in January, Governor Jack Markell proposed providing more opportunities for “after-school and summer activities that get kids off the streets and give them exposure to the arts, nature, and physical activity.” The General Assembly supported his budget request with $2.2 million in funding.

“Children all across our state will benefit from enhanced educational and recreational activities as well as access to additional emotional supports,” said Markell. “These programs improve academic performance, reduce drop-out rates and depression, improve self-control and self-esteem, and prevent risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use. They are a vital part of our larger goal to give all of Delaware’s young people a quality education.”

This initiative is an outgrowth of the initial recommendations by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the 2012 Adolescent Suicides in Kent County which pointed to a lack of after-school activities for youth in Kent and Sussex Counties.

“These programs will help enhance the overall well-being of Delaware’s children,” said Lt. Governor Matt Denn, who has championed expanding access to children’s mental health services. “For instance, tutoring programs will keep children on track academically, and arts programs will engage them creatively, both of which we need to help build a stronger future for Delaware.”

This is the second announcement of funding allocated toward after school and summer prevention programming. In July, the Department announced the availability of $200,000.00 worth of prevention mini grants to put some of the funds to use immediately. Children’s Department Cabinet Secretary Jennifer Ranji said each initiative builds on the next.

“We are building on and expanding our network of community service providers to create a safety net of resources for children,” said Secretary Ranji. “Our goal is to build on their strengths in order to develop stronger, more resilient children who are empowered to envision a hopeful and successful future.

The RFP for “After School and Summer Youth Prevention Programming” can be found on the Children’s Department website at www.kids.delaware.gov and the state bid website at www.bids.delaware.gov under the title “Community Prevention Services”. Questions about the RFP should be directed to H. Ryan Bolles, DSCYF Procurement Administrator, at Herbert.Bolles@delaware.gov or (302) 633-2701.

The Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance problems, have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth.

DOVER – In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights statewide efforts to secure employment opportunities for Delaware veterans and military personnel. Earlier this week, the Governor signed a proclamation declaring September as “Hire a Vet Month,” which encourages employers to hire those who serve(d) Delaware and the country in the armed forces.

“We’re building support to encourage employers to tap into these hardworking men and women, and raising awareness of federal and state tax credits available for hiring veterans,” said Governor Markell. “The businesses that turned out at our signing of the Hire a Vet Month Proclamation can attest that veterans are technically savvy, disciplined, good communicators and fantastic teammates, all qualities employers tell us they’re looking for.”

Every Friday, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/jQDbs7Fe5-Q
Delaware.Gov:  http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of Governor Markell’s Weekly Message: Providing Employment Opportunities for Military Personnel

Dover  – The following DUI checkpoints are scheduled to take place tonight as part of the Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign:

Friday August 30th – Newport-  NCCo. DUI Task Force – checkpoint

Rehoboth Beach- DSP – checkpoint

The Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign is a crackdown on impaired driving.  Delaware will be conducting DUI checkpoints every weekend from now until New Years.  This campaign is aimed at removing impaired drivers from our roadways and deterring those who might otherwise choose to drive after drinking alcohol or using drugs.

The Office of Highway Safety reminds motorists that traffic deaths kill and injure Delawareans nearly twice as often as violent crimes.

For more information on Checkpoint Strikeforce visit www.ohs.delaware.gov and follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.

My administration has no higher priority than making a quality job available to every Delawarean who wants one. As we work toward that goal, we must acknowledge that the economic downturn was particularly hard on our past and present service members.

This spring, the unemployment rate for Delaware veterans and military personnel was above 12 percent, about five percent higher than the state average. That is unacceptable. Our state’s Workforce Investment Board has set the goal of closing that gap. As part of our efforts, we have declared this September Hire A Vet Month.

We’re building support to encourage employers to tap into these hardworking men and women, and raising awareness of federal and state tax credits available for hiring veterans. The businesses that turned out at our signing of the Hire a Vet Month Proclamation can attest that veterans are technically savvy, disciplined, good communicators and fantastic teammates, all qualities employers tell us they’re looking for.

Flightline Aircraft Services, which supports Frontier Airlines’ New Castle Airport service, hired one person through our National Guard just as Frontier was getting up and running this summer. Since then, they’ve already hired a couple more. They joined Delmarva Power, WSFS Bank, the Delaware State Police, TA Instruments and Horizon Services at the event. All have hired current or former military members.

If your company could benefit from the skills of this talented group, please contact Christine Kubik at the Delaware National Guard at 302-326-7582.

By ensuring that Delawareans who sacrifice for us have fair employment opportunities when they come home, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.