DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Title

Wildlife Disease Surveillance and Emergency Response

Authors

Date of this Version

August 2005

Abstract

The goal of the National Wildlife Disease Surveillance and Emergency Response Program is the proper development and implementation of a nationwide system to survey for wildlife diseases and respond to a variety of emergencies including natural disasters and disease outbreaks. The system, which is managed by the Wildlife Services (WS) unit in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is designed to provide assistance to Federal, Tribal, and State agencies with wildlife disease threats. Partnerships have been developed with other APHIS programs (including Veterinary Services and International Services), with other Federal entities (including the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), and with Canadian and Mexican agriculture, health, and natural resources agencies. The nationally coordinated wildlife disease surveillance system will support existing programs with the collection of samples, facilitate information exchange among the programs, ensure that samples are adequately collected, and provide additional laboratory infrastructure.

The program is implemented through a national coordinator and wildlife disease biologists assigned to APHIS field offices. These biologists conduct monitoring and surveillance activities and collect biological samples through a variety of techniques (e.g., trapping, mist netting, lethal means, etc.). To maximize efficiency, efforts are made to obtain samples in coordination with existing WS operational (e.g., protection of livestock, airports, and aquaculture, urban wildlife management, etc.) and research activities. Wildlife disease biologists are available to respond quickly to assist with disease outbreaks and other such emergencies requiring program participation. In the event of an emergency, biologists are required to immediately mobilize and arrive at the emergency site within 48 hours of notification.