JBN West Nile in Gators

West Nile identified in gators for the first time

The Associated Press
Posted November 13, 2002, 10:36 AM EST

GAINESVILLE -- University of Florida researchers have identified the West Nile virus in three Florida alligators, the first time the disease has been observed in the North American species.

State public health veterinarian Lisa Conti confirmed Tuesday that the three farm-raised alligators tested positive for the illness last month.

Officials at Clabrook Farm Inc. in Orange County said hundreds of alligators being raised there have died suddenly in the last four years, and now they suspect West Nile was at least partially to blame.

"We thought maybe somebody was poisoning them," farm co-owner Kobi Kagen said. "But it was not affecting all of the pens. It's strange. It's strange and very sudden."

Kagen said he's aware of many other farms which have experienced similar sudden-death problems with its alligators.

It remains unclear what effect, if any, the findings will have on the state's alligator farming industry. Local, state and federal epidemiologists are continuing their investigation, Conti said.