USAHA News
United States Animal Health Association
Contact - Larry Mark - (703) 451-3954 - webmaster@usaha.org



For immediate release:

MYCOTOXINS NOT A PROBLEM IN 2004 HARVEST 

        GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 25, 2004 -- In general, mycotoxins, particularly 
aflotoxin, have not been an issue for the 2004 harvest.  Over most of the 
grain belt, weather conditions have been ideal and record yields were commonplace.  
However, DON (deooynivalenol or "vomitoxin") was a problem in some upper Midwest 
locales in wheat grain and straw.

	This information was presented to members of the USAHA Committee on 
the Environment at its meeting here this week.  A report on mycotoxin occurrence 
in crops is presented annually at this committee meeting.

	Committee members also heard a report on the use of infra-red spectroscopy 
and scanning electron microscopy in veterinary diagnostic laboratories.  Food 
contaminants can be often readily identified as insect parts, metal fragments, 
medications (tablets), crystals, etc.  Materials reflect unique infra-red spectra 
and measurement of these wavelengths can lead to their identification.  

        In one instance, the infra-red technology was useful in the identification 
of an insecticide that was intentionally disseminated in a city park where it 
killed a number of dogs.  Use of the infra-red technology resulted in rapid 
determination of the problem.  A subsequent premises search removed the public hazard.
        
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