IN THIS ISSUE:

Foreign Members
Calendar of Events
Senegal Meeting
MCOP Meets
RMCP Meets
WDA Meets
SSP Meets
Ectoparasites of Pets
Fish Parasites web site
Color Atlas CD
False Claims
The Job Mart
The Book Nook
Research Link 2000
Teaming with wildlife
Master Course
Disease Exhibit
USDA Eyes Rodents
Trichinosis

FOREIGN MEMBERS OF ASP INVITED TO SUBMIT ARTICLES AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PARASITOLOGISTS NEWSLETTER
 The American Society of Parasitologists extends an invitation to all foreign members of ASP to actively participate in your Society through the submission of articles for the ASP Newsletter.  This is an attempt to help make foreign members of the Society feel more a part of the organization and provide them with an opportunity to communicate their concerns and thoughts with fellow parasitologists in North America.  Articles can deal with a wide range of subjects related to parasitology.  For example, an article might address the status of parasitology research at your institution or in your country;  you might discuss a particular problem in human or veterinary parasitology in your geographic area; you could talk about specific parasitological materials or information you would like to share with others, or require from others for your research; and so on.  Articles should be no longer than 400 words and written in English.  Please send any submissions to: Dr. George Stewart, ASP Newsletter Editor, Center for Parasitology, Box 19498, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA.  You may e-mail your article to: <bell@uta.edu>   or fax your submission to (817) 272-2855.

FOURTH INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES TO BE HELD IN DAKAR, SENEGAL

    The Fourth International Meeting on Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary genetics of Infectious Diseases, WILL BE HELD AT Dakar, Senegal, June 21-24, 1999.  The meeting is being cosponsored by the National French Institute of Research for Development, the national French center for Scientific Research and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The meeting is designed to integrate epidemiologic, molecular biologic and evolutionary genetics approaches in areas of diagnosis, strain typing, species identification, pathogenesis, antigenic variation, drug and vaccine resistance, and host and vector specificity.  In addition, the gathering focuses on fostering interactions between epidemiologists and laboratory scientists working on parasites, yeast and fungi, bacteria and viruses.  Finally, the meeting will provide health care providers, public health professionals, policy makers, epidemiologists and laboratory scientists, and program managers an opportunity to discuss the use of the genetic tools and methodologies that are needed to meet the challenges of diagnosis and management of emerging, re-emerging and endemic diseases.
 
    In relation to submission and acceptance of abstracts: the potential significance of the observations, as well as the rigor with which the scientific methods in the study have been applied, will influence which abstracts will be accepted.  Persons who submit abstracts should consider them official communications of the meeting.  If an abstract is accepted, the author or authors are expected to attend the conference and present their paper in person as scheduled.  Assignment to an oral or poster session is determined solely by the subject matter and suitability to the mode of presentation selected.  Abstracts should be about 250 words.  Abstracts must be received by march 31, 1999 and should be accompanied by the registration fee.  Abstracts can be sent as an e-mail attachment or on diskette.  See the meeting web site for a model format.  The proceedings of the meeting will be published in the Journal of Microbiological methods.
 Registration fee: Efforts are being made to raise sponsorship in order to keep registration costs as low as possible. $150.00 for payment by March 31, $250.00 for payment after March 31.  A 50% discount will be applied to registration fees for full-time students.  Letters of invitation are available for those requiring them for a visa or in the pursuit of travel money from domestic sources.  Abstracts and registration fees should be sent to: Michel Tibayrenc, Centre d'Etudes sur le Polymorphisme des Microorganismes, IRD, BP 5045, 34032 Montpellier Cedex 1, France. Tele: 33 4 67 41 61 97. Fax: 33 4 67 41 62 99. E-mail: MichelTibayrenc@cepm.mpl.orstom.fr> or <mailto:Michel.Tibayrenc@cepm.mpl.orstom.fr>.  Meeting web site: <http://cepm.mpl.orstom.fr>

MIDWESTERN CONFERENCE OF PARASITOLOGISTS HOLDS MEETING
    The 51st Annual Midwestern Conference of Parasitologists is scheduled for June 3-5, 1999, at Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio.  Specific information about the conference can be found at: <http://www.wilmington.edu/amcop.htm>.  Abstracts for papers or posters are due to Dr. Darwin Wittrock, Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI 54701 on May 1.   A newsletter with more information about the conference and an abstract form is available.  Any interested person needing additional information may contact Dr. Wittrock at his e-mail: <wittrod@uwec.edu>
 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE OF PARASITOLOGISTS TO HOLD MEETING
    The Rocky Mountain Conference of Parasitologists will hold its 30th annual meeting at Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, May 6-8, 1999.  Details regarding the meeting site, costs, registration, and abstract submission may be obtained form Dick Spall at: <spalrich@isu.edu or by telephone at (208) 236-2164.

48TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE WILDLIFE DISEASE ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED FOR AUGUST 1999
    The 48th Annual Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association will be held August 8-12, 1999, at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia, USA.  The meeting will be sponsored by the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study and College of Veterinary Medicine.  General sessions will begin on Monday, August 9, 1999 highlighted by a symposium on International Issues in Rabies Re-Emergence hosted in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.  Requests to contribute a paper should be received no later than May 17, 1999.  Abstracts can be submitted at the program e-mail address: <abstract@calc.vet.uga.edu>.  For other questions please contact: Charlotte Quist or Susan Little (e-mail: WDAmail@CALC.VET.UGA.EDU), Local Arrangements Co-Chairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA.  Tele: (706) 542-5349.  Fax: (706) 542-5977.  For additional information on the Conference, including a registration form, meeting outline, area accommodations, and other items of interest, visit the WDA web page at <http://www.vpp.vet.uga.edu/wda>
 
 

SOUTHEASTERN SOCIETY OF PARASITOLOGISTS TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETING
    The Southeastern Society of Parasitologists will hold its annual meeting at the Auburn University Field Station in Columbiana, Alabama, April 7-9, 1999. Members and interested persons with questions about the annual meeting can contact Dr. Sharon Patton, Secretary-Treasurer of the Society, c/o <parasitology@utk.edu> or call Dr. Patton at (423) 974-5645.  Fax: (423) 974-5564.
 

5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ECTOPARASITES OF PETS
    The 5th International Symposium on Ectoparasites of Pets will be held in Fort Collins, Colorado on April 11-13, 1999.  This is a biennial event bringing together some of the world's foremost researchers on pests affecting companion animals (dogs, cats, horses).  Paper submissions are solicited on appropriate topics.
 Fort Collins is located on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.  Spring skiing before and after the meeting is only a 2-3 hr drive away at the major ski resorts. The Old Town district of Fort Collins is beautifully restored, with many shops, restaurants and lovely walks.  Colorado State University is right next door.  There are eight microbreweries in town, live music, a dinner theater, and the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts.

    Deadlines for submission of abstracts and pre-registration are passed, but prospective attendees may late register by sending a check or international money order made out to Ann Donoghue-5th ISEP. (Students: $75.00, Full $150.00) and sent to Dr. Ann Donoghue, Heska Corp., 1825 Sharp Point Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525.

    The symposium will begin at 1:00pm on Sunday, April11.  The welcoming mixeer will run from 6-8 pm.  Monday's sessions will be on digs and cats. The banquet will be held Monday evening, and Tuesday's session will meet from 8-noon and focus on pests of horses.  This tentative schedule is subject to change depending on the quantity and type of abstracts received.
 

ICHTHYOPARASITOLOGICAL NEWSLETTER WEB SITE DIVULGED
 http://DSPACE.DIAL.PIPEX.COM/TOWN/PLAZA/AAN18/NEWSL5.HTM
 

COLOR ATLAS OF PARASITOLOGY NOW AVAILABLE ON CD
    John T. Sullivan's Color Atlas of Parasitology is now available on CD.  Compared with the printed version, the resolution of the photographs is much greater, more photographs have been added, errors have been corrected, and the price is lower ($18 + $1 S&H).  Also, numerous hyperlinks facilitate navigation between different specimens, table of contents, and the index.  Two self quizzes are included, one on protozoa and one on helminths.  The CD is in Microsoft PowerPoint 97 format, and can be viewed with Microsoft PowerPoint or Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer, which can be installed form the CD or downloaded from microsoft.com.  A higher resolution and a lower resolution version (for slower desktops and non-XGA laptops) are included.  Recommended minimum system requirements are: Windows 95, 200 MHz desktop. 16X CD ROM drive, and 16 MB RAM.  For complete information of the new CD logon to:  http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Venue/2851/parasitology.html
 
 

BEWARE OF FALSE CLAIMS
    This is a message to all of my colleagues in parasitology.  Please be on your guard for any person: (A) claiming any affiliation, past or present with the Institute of Parasitic Diseases (IPD), Phoenix, AZ; (B) implying any endorsement or support from IPD or myself for any purpose; (C) claiming any research or work experience (past or present ) related to IPD or myself.  If you encounter anyone claiming any of the above, please verify their claims with me personally at (602) 955-5211.  Fax: (602) 955-4102.  My sincere thanks, Dr. Omar M. Amin, Director, IPD, P.O. Box 28372, Tempe, AZ 85285.
 
THE JOB MART

Post-doctoral Fellowship in Fish Parasitology - A post-doctoral fellowship is available at the University of Victoria, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, to take part in a large collaborative program investigating the molecular parasitology of eukaryotic fish parasites of significance to the aquaculture industry.  Emphasis will be placed on myxosporean parasites with the goal of developing vaccines and diagnostic reagents.  This research will involve isolation and structural characterization of protein and carbohydrate antigens, development and field testing of peptide, DNA and recombinant vaccines along with immunological reagents.  Applicants should have a Ph.D. in biochemistry or a chemistry or biology degree with experience in biochemical and/or immunological techniques.
 Address inquiries and applications to: Dr. R.W. Olafson, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C.  V8W 3P6.  Telephone: (250) 721-7072. Fax: (250) 721-8855. E-mail: <olafson@uvic.ca>
 

Post-doctoral/Senior Research Scientist Position - Biological Mimetics, Inc., in Frederick, MD has an immediate opening for a post-doctoral or more senior research scientist position to conduct research on Avian coccidiosis with the goal of developing an effective vaccine for chickens and turkeys.  The researcher will work as part of a team and will require a working knowledge in the areas of immunology, in vitro biology and molecular biology of Avian Eimeria.  The successful candidate will join a progressive vaccine start-up company which is developing a wide array of vaccines against parasitic, viral and bacterial pathogens of man and animals.  Salary is commensurate with experience.  A complete benefits package is provided.  Interested individuals should contact: Dr. Peter Nara, Executive Director for Research and Development, Biological Mimetics, Inc., 431 Aviation Way, Frederick, MD 21701-4756.  Telephone: (301) 620-7691.  Fax: (301) 694-7223.  E-mail: <nara@sri.org>
 

Post-doctoral Research position - A position is available for signaling pathways in pregnancy-induced reactivation and transmission of arrested hookworm larvae. A Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry or related field is required.  Preference will be given to candidates with experience in C. elegans field/protein expression/receptor biology.  Please send curriculum vitae and the names of three references to: Prema Arasu, Ph.D., DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606.  Telephone: (919) 821-9530.  Fax: (919) 829-4455. E-mail: <Prema_Arasu@ncsu.edu>.
 

Full-time, tenure -track Assistant Professor in Food Parasitology- The Center for Food Safety and Quality Enhancement (CFSQE) at the University of Georgia invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor, 100% research position.  The successful candidate will develop a research program in the area of food parasitology and assist in the outreach programs of CFSQE and Department of Food Science and Technology.  Securing extramural funding for research and recruitment, and advising graduate students will be expected.  In addition to developing a research program in the areas of detection and control of parasites in foods, the successful candidate will be expected to work cooperatively with other faculty, staff and industry personnel.  A Ph.D. in Parasitology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or closely related field is required, and research experience with waterborne and foodborne parasites (including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Toxoplasma, or Isospora) is highly desired. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.  The CFSQE web page address is <http://www.griffin.peachnet.edu/cfsqe>. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae detailing background and capability to conduct research and outreach programs , a transcript of academic records, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of five references to: Dr. Larry R. Beuchat, Chair, Search Committee, Center for Food Safety and Quality Enhancement, University of Georgia, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30223-1797.  Telephone: (770) 412-4740.  Fax: (770) 229-3216.  Applications received by March 31, 1999 are assured of consideration.
 

Assistant Professor in Parasitology - The Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, is seeking qualified candidates for a full-time, tenure-track position.  The position is 60% research and 40% service and teaching.  The candidate should have a strong background in biochemistry, cell biology or molecular biology, and be committed to develop an active, funded research program in parasitic diseases of international or national economic importance.  Teaching assignments will include team teaching one professional and one graduate course in parasitology.  Mentoring graduate students is expected.  Participation in parasitologic diagnostic service is optional.  The DVM and PhD are required; research experience in helminthology is desirable.  Salary is negotiable depending on the experience, training and accomplishments of the candidate.  Application deadline is April 15, 1999.  Send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, names of three references and summary of current research to: Dr. Norman F. Cheville, Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. Iowa State University is an EO/AAE.

Foundation Professor of Marine Studies and Director pf the Centre for Marine Studies - Applicants with a sense of adventure who are eager to direct research and teaching and the success of three research stations, a School of marine Science and an Aquaculture Unit associated with the Great Barrier Reef and coastal Queensland would be suited for the position.  The incumbent will seek to integrate all activities concerning the marine environment across the University of Queensland in Anthropology, Botany, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Economics and Management, Engineering, Health and Veterinary Services, Law and Tourism.  The successful candidate will develop existing and establish new postgraduate courses and research for fee-paying international students, and consolidate income from external sources to maintain three marine research stations and a fleet of small seacraft. Application forms and particulars can be obtained from Ms Sue Lowrey, Personnel Officer, Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Personnel Division, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 Australia.  Tele: 61-7-3365 7946.  E-mail: <s.lowrey@mailbox.uq.edu.au>.
 

Graduate Studies: Snail Biology and Parasitism - Projects are available for graduate studies (M.Sc. or Ph.D.).  The St. Lawrence Centre, Environment Canada, Montreal, is about to undertake a major initiative encompassing multidisciplinary studies to determine the consequences of water level control and variation on the St. Lawrence River ecosystem.  Themes include wetlands, food webs, users and erosion.  Within the food web theme, one project is aimed at investigating the abundance, productivity, species composition, and trematode parasite fauna of gastropods in the St. Lawrence River in relation to water levels.  This project will be run concurrently and in close association with others studying macrophytes and periphyton, and the benthos.  The program will be underway beginning in the spring/summer of 1999.  Funding is expected to be approved for 5 years.  Students will be supervised by David Marcogliese (Environment Canada) and J.D. McLaughlin (Concordia University).  For further information on the project, contact: David J. Marcogliese, St. Lawrence Centre, Environment Canada, 105 McGill, 7th Floor, Montreal, Quebec, canada H2Y 2E7. Tele: (514) 283-6499.  Fax: (514) 496-7398.  E-mail: <david.marcogliese@ec.gc.ca>.  For additional information on graduate programs, entrance requirements, applications, and other information for Concordia University, contact: Dr. J.D. McLaughlin, Biology Department, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1M8
 

THE BOOK NOOK
 Listed below are some recent publications of possible interest to ASP members.

1. Human Parasitology, 2nd Edition, B. Bogitsh and T.C. Cheng, Academic Press, 1998, 484 pages, $55.00, ISBN 0-12-110870-8.

2. The Biology of Mosquitoes, Volume 2: Sensory Reception and Behavior, A.N. Clements, CABI Publishing, 1999, 752 pages, $175.00, ISBN 0-85199-313-3.

3. Thin-Layer Chromatography, 4th Edition, Revised and Expanded, B. Fried and J. Sherma, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1999, 499 pages, $199.00, ISBN 0-8247-0222-0

RESEARCH LINK 2000
 Funded by a grant to the Council on Undergraduate Research from NSF, Research Link
2000 is a project to bring together faculty from colleges and universities to select, develop and disseminate a group of field-tested experimental systems for introductory biology laboratories.  The project is divided into LABCORE and LABLINK.
 One of the ten systems selected for this project was, "Cercariae larvae of digenetic trematodes: Use in field and laboratory investigations (Ron Rosen, Department of Biology, Berea College, Berea, KY 40404).  A workshop was conducted with all systems at Carleton College, Minnesota, during August, 1998; a similar workshop for potential adopters of these systems will be offered at Ferris State University, Michigan, this coming summer.  Both student and faculty reaction (extremely positive) at the initial workshop have convinced us that trematodes have a place in introductory biology curriculum where experimental/open-ended laboratories are desired.  The trematode system is different from most of the others selected in that it is not a one-species system; thus there are possibilities for many different types of experiments depending on the trematode species that is being utilized.  Research Link 2000 has the potential to provide ASP with an excellent opportunity for exposing significant numbers of undergraduate students to parasitic systems early in their careers.  Snail/cercarial systems are fascinating (most first-year students have little if any knowledge of trematodes), and lend themselves particularly well to interesting/challenging experiments at minimal cost.
 Several ASP members (Bernard Fried, Dennis Minchella, Al Shostak and Timothy Yoshino) have already agreed to provide limited e-mail technical assistance (LABCORE) to individuals adopting the cercarial system.  We are also in need of Research Link participants (i.e., e-mail addresses of post docs, graduate students, faculty of graduate research labs) that utilize similar systems in their research.  The purpose of the latter is to open up an opportunity for undergraduates who are doing research with this system to communicate with full-time research labs about what they are doing.  It is perceived that this will open up opportunities for collaboration.  For example, research labs may want undergraduate labs to explore areas they do not have the time to pursue.
 To be placed on the LABCORE technical assistance list and/or the LABLINK research link, please e-mail: <ron_rosen@Berea.Edu>.  For additional information concerning this project, contact: Ron Rosen at the aforementioned e-mail address or phone at (606) 986-9341, ext. 6318.  You may also wish to access the "developing" Research Link Homepage at: <http:///www.ResearchLink.ferris.edu>
 
 

"TEAMING WITH WILDLIFE" STATUS UPDATED
 At the Nashville meetings, ASP Council endorsed a bill to be submitted to Congress that would have provided dedicated funding for non-game wildlife conservation and research.  The bill was sponsored by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) and would have been funded by small user fees imposed on sales of equipment connected with outdoor activities.  If passed the bill could have provided funds for research on non-game wildlife.  Although many scientific and conservation associations endorsed the bill, IAFWA was never able to get it introduced because the user fees appeared too much like taxes.  IAFWA tells us that similar bills have now been introduced that count on different funding sources: a portion of federal income from offshore oil and natural gas leases.  These are known in the House as the Conservation and Restoration Act (CARA, H.R. 4717) and in the Senate as the Reinvestment and Environmental Restoration Act (RERA, S. 2566).  Another proposal is being developed by the Department of Interior.  As currently written, these bills still need work, but they enjoy bipartisan support.  One of them may well pass this year.  For more information, write the IAFWA at 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 544, Washington, DC 20001, or visit their web site at <www.teaming.com>. By the time this article appears in the Newsletter, we may be asking members of ASP to write letters and make phone calls supporting CARA or RERA.  Submitted by Larry Roberts, President of ASP.

INTERNATIONAL MASTER COURSE ON TROPICAL PARASITIC DISEASES TO BE OFFERED IN SPAIN - OCTOBER 1999
 The XIII Edition of the "International Master Course on Tropical Parasitic Diseases" will be held in Valencia, Spain, between October 13 and December 22, 1999.  This course is organized within several programs of the European Union and in collaboration with WHO and many European scientific associations.  Specialists conducting the course are from numerous universities, centers and institutions from within Europe, the USA, Latin America and Africa, along with scientists from over 20 international commercial firms.  The course is designed to appeal to graduates in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary sciences, biological sciences and chemistry.  The objective of the course is to provide preparation in practical and theoretical issues for health professionals to "undertake works, functions and positions of all types and levels in the large field of the fight, control, diffusion and study of the parasitic diseases throughout the world."  The course will cover all aspects of human parasitology (including protozoa, helminths, parasitic and vector arthropods, and medical malacology) world-wide, including the latest advances in immunodiagnosis of parasitic disease, applied molecular parasitology, and the application of Geographical Information Systems in the epidemiology and control of parasitic diseases.  The course will encompass 450 school hours, including 225 hours of laboratory work.  All particpants will receive an attendance diploma, and those completing examinations will receive a Master's diploma.  The official course language is Spanish.  The deadline for registration is October 10, 1999 (early registration is recommended due to limited space).  The course fee is $1,300 U.S. or $1,100 U.S. for students from developing countries.  For additional information contact: Prof. Dr. S. Mas-Coma, Departmento de Parasitologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Vicent Andres Estelles s/n. 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain, European Union.  Telephone: 34-96-386-42-98.  Fax: 34-96-386-47-69.  E-mail: <Master.I.E.P.T.@uv.es>.  Web site: <http://www.uv.es/~menfpar>.

EPIDEMIC! THE WORLD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES - AN EXHIBIT AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NY
 An exhibit entitled "Epidemic! The World of Infectious Diseases" is being held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City between February 27 - September 6, 1999.  The exhibit examines the natural history of infectious disease from biological and cultural vantage points.  Exhibition themes include ecological balances and how their disruption can lead to infectious disease; the natural history and basic biology of microorganisms; the human immune system; the epidemiology of infectious disease; and the social, cultural, economic and political factors that contribute to the worldwide spread of infectious disease.  Specific diseases, including AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, are used as examples to illustrate larger issues regarding infectious disease. Contact: David DeMallie, Media Assistant, Exhibitions Department, 2nd Floor, American Museum of Natural History, 79th St. @ Central Park West, New York, NY 10024.  Tele: (212) 769-5074.  Fax: (212) 769-5426. E-mail: <david@amnh.org>
 

USDA PROPOSAL TO REGULATE RATS, MICE , AND BIRDS EXPECTED
 The USDA published a notice in January asking for public comments on whether the agency should regulate rats, mice, and birds under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).  When Congress revised the language of the AWA in 1970, it expanded the definition of animal to include "any live or dead dog, cat, monkey (nonhuman primate mammal), guinea pig, hamster, rabbit or other such warm-blooded animal, as the Secretary may determine" when used for research, testing or experimentation.  The USDA made an administrative decision to exclude rats, mice, and birds.

 Rats and mice are the most commonly used research animals.  They are not excluded from the purview of the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.  This policy applies to all vertebrate animals used in research funded by NIH and other PHS agencies.  The PHS Policy requires that animal care be provided according to the standards set forth in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.  Animal facilities that seek accreditation through the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) must also provide care for laboratory rodents that meets the standards of the Guide.

 Despite the inclusion of rats, mice, and birds under these important parallel sets of standards, animal activists have made much of these species' exclusion from the AWA, which is the primary U.S. law governing the welfare of animals used in research, teaching, and testing.  Activists have tried several times in recent years to compel the USDA to extend its enforcement umbrella to include rats, mice, and birds.
 One reason why USDA has not done so is a shortage of resources.  The Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) enforcement budget has been flat for a number of years, and it is estimated that this change would cause a 40% increase in the agency's workload.  Researchers have also expressed concerns about the increased regulatory burden AWA record keeping and reporting requirements for these species would impose.

 The American Physiological Society is formulating a response on this issue and would appreciate any input from researchers.  For additional information about the proposal and how to provide comments as an individual researcher, please contact: Public Affairs Officer Alice Ra'anan at <araanan@aps.faseb.org>.  I wonder if ASP is looking into this issue as well?  Lets hope so!

TRICHINOSIS IN FRANCE
 ProMED-mail reported that in December the French authorities asked Brussels to outlaw imports of horse meat from eastern Europe after more than 400 people contracted trichinosis. The scare is likely to hit the already declining horse-meat industry in France.  Sales first plummeted in 1994 when the former film star Brigitte Bardot called for the French to boycott horse meat.  A spokesman for the French Federation of Hippophagic Butchers said: "We're at the mercy of such outbreaks becuase each case leads to another drop in business."  It was the second major incident in the south of France in 1998.  The parasite is endemic in eastern European countries and North America, and has been responsible for some 2000 human infections in Europe in recent years.  The source of this most recent outbreak in France was traced to an infected horse carcass from Serbia.  The horse was probably infected from being fed animal protein in the form of pig flesh.  Professor Jean Dupouy-Calmet, a French expert on Trichinella, said that horses used in agricultural work in eastern Europe are often sold to abbatoirs when they are around 10 years old, and are first fattened up, usually on a diet enriched with animal protein, to obtain the highest price.  Horses from eastern Europe are transported live to France, while those from North America are frozen before transport.  From ProMed-mail, 16, Dec 1998.
 
 

Contact Mark Sidall (msiddall@umich.edu) or Scott Gardner (slg@unl.edu) for information on posting materials to the newsletter or to the ASP home page.