Horse owners advise to vaccinate against West Nile | New

ALBANY (AP) – National agriculture officials are advising horse owners in New York to vaccinate their horses against West Nile virus.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Markets said that there had been four confirmed cases of mosquito infection in the state this year, in Steuben, Suffolk, Cattaraugus counties. and Livingston.

Infected mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus to humans, horses and other animals. The symptoms may resemble those of the flu, the horses seeming slightly anorexic and depressed. Other symptoms include muscular and cutaneous contractions, fever, hypersensitivity to touch and sound, drowsiness and unsteady gait.

Twelve cases of West Nile virus have been reported in humans this year. Most people have no signs of illness, but some people develop flu-like symptoms. Fewer than 1 in 150 people have severe symptoms.

There is no vaccine for humans.

Warm weather feeds toxic algal blooms in 90 New York waterways

ALBANY (AP) – According to state officials, recent warming has led to the expansion of toxic algal blooms in New York's waterways, bringing the number to 90 this week.

The Department of Environmental Conservation has added 21 new water plans to the list of harmful algal blooms that have been confirmed or are suspected. Some touch small localized areas and others are widespread.

Most algae are harmless, but some types produce toxins that can make people sick and kill dogs. The CED lists toxic blooms on an online notification page.

The bear season begins in northern New York

ALBANY (AP) – The bear hunting season begins in northern New York.

State environmental officials say the bear season begins Saturday in much of northern New York and continues until October 12.

The bear season began a week ago in parts of southeastern New York.

It is estimated that there are between 6,000 and 8,000 wild bears in the state of New York, most of them living in the Adirondacks and Catskills.

The regular big game hunting season for deer and bears starts on October 20 in northern New York and November 17 in the southern zone.

The victim of the shark attack hopes to be released from the hospital soon

BOSTON (AP) – The man bitten by a shark off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, hopes to be released soon from Boston Hospital where he is recovering last month.

William Lytton tells the Boston Globe that he has another operation before he can be sent home to Scarsdale, NY, but his arm shot has been removed and he can take off his leg once in a while. .

He hopes to be released at the end of the month at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

The 61-year-old neurologist was attacked on August 15 while he was swimming off a beach in Truro.

Lytton suffered deep lacerations in his leg and torso before he could break free by hitting the shark in the gills.

The shark attack was the first in Massachusetts waters since 2012.