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Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401. 222. 4700 | www. dem. ri. gov | @RhodeIslandDEM CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Wednesday, March 6, 2024 Dem. communications@ dem. ri. gov
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Impact",sans-serif;color:#00457A">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Wednesday, March 6, 2024<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">
</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM, RIDOH REMIND PUBLIC OF RABIES PREVENTION TIPS AS SPRING APPROACHES AND WILDLIFE BECOMES MORE ACTIVE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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Description automatically generated with medium confidence" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">PROVIDENCE,
RI –<span style="color:black"> The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) are reminding the public that as winter moves into spring and the warmer weather brings more people outdoors, they
can expect to see more wildlife activity and should avoid interacting with wildlife to help protect both themselves and Rhode Island’s wildlife. Throughout the spring, wildlife tends to move around more frequently with the onset of breeding behavior patterns.
During this increased period of wildlife activity, Rhode Islanders should remain vigilant and avoid approaching wildlife because all mammals statewide are susceptible to the rabies virus.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">The raccoon-adapted strain of the rabies virus is widely found in the wild animal population throughout Rhode Island. Credit: Dean Birch.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">First confirmed in Rhode Island in 1994, the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://health.ri.gov/diseases/rabies/?parm=82"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">rabies virus</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
is now endemic and can be expected to occur in </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">wild mammal populations throughout the state<span style="color:black">. Vector species for rabies in Rhode Island include
</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2022-07/bat.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">bats</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">,
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/raccoon.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">racoons</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">,
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/woodchuck.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">woodchucks</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">,
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/skunk.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">skunks</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">,
and </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/fox.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">foxes</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">,
but can be carried by any other mammal. Occasionally bats can find their way into human living spaces and
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://health.ri.gov/disease/carriers/bats/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">testing of the bat</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
or preventative vaccination is recommended when a bat has been found within these areas when humans or pets may have been sleeping, or if the bat was present around individuals who are not able to communicate that they may have had contact with the animal.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/disease-wildlife.pdf__;!!AQdq3sQhfUj4q8uUguY!lLXvSK4r5zEgVIwyhlbyCDkQ3S-RjmKmJT5jfGKZKPVNRIWXE4vlnlXR7dfQBcrO9OpE6EmYbgDF1WdGtBsNk8Uy3g$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Infected
animals</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> can exhibit a wide range of symptoms, from aggressiveness to aimless wandering, lethargy, weakness of the hind legs, and loss of awareness. Some animals
show no symptoms and the only way to confirm rabies is through laboratory testing. Rabies is a viral disease acquired from the bite or scratch of a rabid animal. Without a post-exposure vaccine series, virtually all cases are fatal. This post-exposure vaccination
should be administered as soon as possible to anyone with a known or likely exposure to rabies, including those who received prior pre-exposure prophylaxis. Rabies treatment must be started as soon as possible after exposure. Anyone who has had a potential
rabies exposure is urged to call RIDOH’s Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 401-222-2577 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM) or 401-276-8046 after hours for treatment guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">“DEM stresses that wildlife is beautiful but should always be enjoyed from afar,” said RI State Veterinarian Dr. Scott Marshall. “Never approach wild animals
and certainly never touch them. Handling mammals is always a potential rabies exposure. Once people handle or have contact with these animals, public health officials are compelled to test the animal for rabies, which requires that the animal be humanely dispatched
because testing requires brain tissue.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Although wildlife will be making more appearances in backyards, local parks, and sometimes unexpected areas in the springtime, simply observing a mammal in
the daytime is not a cause for a concern or indicative of illness or abandonment. Each spring, Environmental Police Officers from
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/law-enforcement"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
receive many calls from concerned members of the public about </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/press-releases/no-touchy-dem-urges-public-not-remove-fawns-and-other-baby-animals-wild"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">“abandoned”
baby wildlife</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">. This is
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.riwildliferehab.org/if-you-find-a-wild-animal__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!MZcBTv1_KUAaT5MBtsEDNCuTQkxr72BF9VhGvlNLvIO3tQz0OXtYSNrwylG1sVVyNJXO6S3Ox_b1Dm7Li9n9VRFGUUN7TpsahZdD$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">almost never the case</span> [riwildliferehab.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">.
Unless a baby animal is visibly injured or in immediate danger, it should not be approached, touched, picked up, or removed from the wild. If you observe an injured wild animal, please report it to the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.riwildliferehab.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!MZcBTv1_KUAaT5MBtsEDNCuTQkxr72BF9VhGvlNLvIO3tQz0OXtYSNrwylG1sVVyNJXO6S3Ox_b1Dm7Li9n9VRFGUUN7ThH-oAoU$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island</span> [riwildliferehab.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
at 401-294-6363 for assistance or to DEM’s 24/7 dispatch at 401-222-3070. In the uncommon instance where a wild animal is observed
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/disease-wildlife.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">exhibiting
symptoms of illness</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> such as acting strangely, the public should report it to their local animal control officer or DEM and keep their distance. Although rabies
can only be confirmed by laboratory testing, the costs associated with staff time to retrieve, ship, test, and dispose of each suspected wildlife rabies specimen are expensive.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">All dogs, cats, and ferrets are
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/250-40-05-2"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">required by state law</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
to have current vaccination against rabies and Rhode Island residents should vaccinate their pets for rabies if they are not already. Vaccination of pets prevents them from contracting rabies and prevents people from becoming exposed to rabies through their
pets. All pets should be kept indoors unless supervised. Any contact between a domestic animal and wild mammal should be reported to your veterinarian and local animal control officer.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">The Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association (RIVMA) and organizations throughout the state offer
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://rivma.org/page/rabies-clinics__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!MZcBTv1_KUAaT5MBtsEDNCuTQkxr72BF9VhGvlNLvIO3tQz0OXtYSNrwylG1sVVyNJXO6S3Ox_b1Dm7Li9n9VRFGUUN7TtSBRegF$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">rabies vaccination clinics</span> [rivma.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
for reduced cost vaccines. Although most livestock are not required to be vaccinated for rabies, DEM and RIDOH strongly recommend that livestock owners consult with their veterinarian to vaccinate their animals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">RIDOH and DEM make the following recommendations to prevent rabies:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Make sure all dogs, cats, and ferrets are up to date on rabies vaccination.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Avoid all contact with and do not feed stray or free-roaming domestic animals.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Avoid all contact with and do not feed wild animals. Feeding wildlife is illegal in Rhode Island not only because it increases
the risk of disease, but it can also lead to conflicts between humans and wildlife, and lead to unsustainable populations of wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Do not feed your pets outdoors, as this will attract other animals. This is especially dangerous when feeding large numbers
of free-roaming cats.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Protect your pets by always maintaining control. Walk dogs on a leash or let them play in a fenced yard, and do not let pets
wander unsupervised.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Report all animal bites to your city/town's animal control officer.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Securely cover all garbage cans so wild animals cannot scavenge for food.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/wildlifehuntered/animalproof.php"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Bat-proof
your house</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">For more information on how to prevent rabies, please visit
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://health.ri.gov/diseases/rabies/?parm=82"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">RIDOH’s website</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">.
For more information on rabies and ways to protect yourself and your pets, please see this
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://health.ri.gov/publications/factsheets/RabiesQuickFactsForThePublic.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">RIDOH fact sheet</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
Follow </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!MZcBTv1_KUAaT5MBtsEDNCuTQkxr72BF9VhGvlNLvIO3tQz0OXtYSNrwylG1sVVyNJXO6S3Ox_b1Dm7Li9n9VRFGUUN7Tlk_OFMP$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM on Facebook</span> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">,
Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.<span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><br>
Evan LaCross, MPA</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Programming Services Officer, Public Affairs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#004678;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">401-799-0100 (c)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="mailto:evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif">evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:gray;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
</span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">(E);
</span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
(W)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0096D2;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Follow DEM on
</span></i><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM/?fref=ts__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!MZcBTv1_KUAaT5MBtsEDNCuTQkxr72BF9VhGvlNLvIO3tQz0OXtYSNrwylG1sVVyNJXO6S3Ox_b1Dm7Li9n9VRFGUUN7Tvf33aQm$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#004678">Facebook</span></i> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">,<i><span style="color:#0096D2">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%"><img border="0" width="152" height="76" style="width:1.5833in;height:.7916in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image004.jpg@01DA6FA0.8B8DAFA0" alt="Logo
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