Emerging Infectious Diseasesin Wildlife

Examples: Colony collapse disorder in honeybees Mycoplasmosis in birds Chytridiomycosis in amphibians White-Nose Syndrome in bats Morbilliviruses in seals

Emerging infections can lead to population extirpations or even species extinctions

Why are wildlife diseases increasing?

• Human population growth and encroachment on wildlife habitat

• “Spill-over” from domestic animals to wildlife populations

• Translocations for conservation, agriculture, hunting

• Introduction of new disease-causing pathogens

• Global warming altering host/parasite ranges

• Increasing stressors (toxic chemicals, pollutants) increase individual susceptibility

One Health

Few diseases affect exclusively any one group

Human EIDs increased significantly since 1940s

> 60% of human EIDs are zoonotic; 70% of zoonoses originate in wildlife

The Northeast: a “hotspot” for emerging infectious diseases

Source: Jones et al 2008. Nature 451:990-993

We Need a Regional System For Wildlife Disease Surveillance and Diagnostics

In the Northeast

Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS)

1957 to investigate white-tailed deer deaths Work closely with SE Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Successful Model of Regional Efforts

State – federal cooperative structure

• Funded by wildlife agencies and the U.S. Dept of Interior to conduct regional wildlife research and service projects

• Supported by USDA APHIS for consultation and surveillance where disease interact among wildlife, domestic livestock, poultry

SCWDSSubmission structure

• Diagnostic service is a direct result of funding by member state and federal agencies and is available only through their consent

• Submissions must be approved by state/federal agencies

Training and Informational Services

• Training workshops (with APHIS) for wildlife biologists and veterinary

medical officers - prepare them to respond to emerging disease

• Play an advisory role in regional wildlife health issues

If they can do it in the Southeast…..

?!!

Northeast Wildlife Disease Cooperative

Diagnostic Laboratories:

New Hampshire Diagnostic Services, University of New HampshireDepartment of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of ConnecticutAnimal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell UniversityCummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University

Expertise: Fresh and saltwater fishes Lobsters and other crustaceans Marine and terrestrial mammals Birds of all types Amphibians and reptiles Small carnivores Cervids Bivalves, cephalopods

3 - Year StrategyYear 1

(1) Provide training to biologists

Field investigations of wildlife mortality events: Part 1. Diseases, Procedures, PrecautionsPart 2. Necropsy and Sample Procurement

(2) Identify core group of advisors (state wildlife biologists, USDA, USGS)

(3) Establish a coordinated system: Centralized system for communications Centralized database Regional Disease list serv Create one-stop-shop website Case submission coordination Standardized reporting

3 - Year Strategy

Year 2 & 3

(1) Initiate limited diagnostic service using membership dues from states

(2) Beta test diagnostics system (coordination, database, reporting)

(3) Increase number of submissions (and membership dues)

(4) Ramp up the disease research component

(5) Develop proposals for federal funding on specific research projects

3 - Year Strategy

Case 1: Common Eider Mortality Events

Cape Cod Bay, 2006 - 2010

Fall and early Spring, ~400 – 4,000 birds

Multi-agency investigation (USDA,FWS, NWHC, NPS, Mass Audubon)

Possible cause: a novel virus?

• RNA virus isolated from birds (NWHC)

• Pathogenicity trials in eider ducklings, Summer 2010

• Novel orthomyxovirus, genus Quarjavirus “Wellfleet Bay Virus”

Spread by ticks at breeding colonies?

Issues:

Getting someone in the field to respondNo clear chain of commandDelayed reports and resultsResults not disseminated widely

Case 2: Newcastle in CormorantsIn New England (Fall 2010)

Rehabbers, SEANET

Carcasses, Samples

USDA USGS

?

??

(reporting)