New Issue of Healthy Animals Now Online

Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2007)--The Agricultural Research Service recently posted a new issue of Healthy Animals at: www.ars.usda.gov

This quarterly online newsletter compiles ARS news and expert resources on the health and well-being of agricultural livestock, poultry and fish.

Each quarter, one article in Healthy Animals focuses on a particular element of ARS animal research. The current issue examines the latest updates in veterinary immunology research.

Other research highlighted in this issue includes:

•New cattle lack BSE-related proteins.

•Mushroom extracts could be barnyard boosters.

•Sequencing research helps to diagnose scrapie with greater accuracy.

•Scientists decipher genetic codes of Marek's disease vaccine strains.

Professionals interested in animal health issues may want to bookmark the site as a resource for locating animal health experts. An index lists ARS research locations covering approximately 70 animal health topics. These range from specific diseases, such as Lyme disease, to broad subjects like nutrition or parasites. The site also provides complete contact information for the more than 25 ARS research groups that conduct studies aimed at protecting and improving farm animal health.

Starting with this issue, the newsletter will also be available in Spanish. It is online at: www.ars.usda.gov/is/espanol

To receive an e-mail alert about each future issue's posting online, contact Laura McGinnis, ARS Information Staff (301-504-1654, laura.mcginnis@ars.usda.gov), or sign up online at: www.ars.usda.gov/subscribe.

ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.