Emerging Diseases

Emerging diseases are those diseases that either are newly described, are appearing in a species, population, or geographic area for the first time, or are rapidly increasing in incidence.  These diseases may be infectious or non-infectious in cause.  Emerging diseases of wildlife may be related to the discovery or spread of a novel pathogen, or appearance of a pathogen causing disease in a new animal host species.  They may also be related to changing environmental conditions or anthropogenic influences that cause disease in the absence of an infectious agent.  Our scientists work in both the aquatic environment and controlled laboratory settings using a combination of scientific disciplines and skills to identify and describe emerging diseases of aquatic animals and to determine their effects on the aquatic ecosystem. Our unique combination of expertise, facilities with enhanced biocontainment capability, and diagnostic/investigative tools and skills make the Leetown Science Center well poised to tackle emerging disease issues that impact our Nation’s aquatic animal resources.