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National Wildlife Health Center

Welcome to the National Wildlife Health Center! Our mission is to advance wildlife health science for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment.

Explore SCIENCE to learn more about wildlife diseases, ongoing projects, the Honolulu Field Station, and our services.

Explore WEB TOOLS to access WHISPers, wildlife health bulletins, our field manual, and more.

News

Inaugural USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day - April 25, 2025

Inaugural USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day - April 25, 2025

USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day

USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day

Spring 2025 Highlights from EESC’s Disease Decision Analysis and Research Group

Spring 2025 Highlights from EESC’s Disease Decision Analysis and Research Group

Publications

Applying the resist-accept-direct (RAD) framework to wildlife health management Applying the resist-accept-direct (RAD) framework to wildlife health management

Wildlife diseases can have substantial impacts on wildlife populations as well as on human and domestic animal health and well-being. Although many agencies and stakeholders share a goal of supporting wildlife health, reducing wildlife disease burden is complicated by a scarcity of effective interventions for wildlife, competition for funds, and conflicting priorities. As a result...
Authors
Wynne Emily Moss, Gregor W. Schuurman, Emily S. Almberg, Danielle Buttke, Nathan L. Galloway, Samantha E.J. Gibbs, Anne Hubbs, Katherine Richgels, C. LeAnn White, Paul C. Cross

Diagnostic success—A quick guide to quality carcass submissions for diagnostic services Diagnostic success—A quick guide to quality carcass submissions for diagnostic services

The U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center provides diagnostic services to determine causes of wildlife morbidity and mortality events to State, Federal, and Tribal partners. To accomplish this, we rely on the timely collection and evaluation of submitted carcasses and the epidemiologic information relayed from personnel in the field. Our current submission criteria can...
Authors
Barbara L. Bodenstein, Shelby Jo Weidenkopf

Safety and immunogenicity of poultry vaccine for protecting critically endangered avian species against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, United States Safety and immunogenicity of poultry vaccine for protecting critically endangered avian species against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, United States

In 2023, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza occurred among critically endangered California condors (Gymnogyps californianus), and >21 died. We evaluated safety, immunogenicity, vaccination strategies, and correlates of antibody response of an influenza vaccine for poultry in black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and then California condors. We noted differences in antibody...
Authors
Todd E. Katzner, Ashleigh V. Blackford, Mary Donahue, Samantha E.J. Gibbs, Julianna B. Lenoch, Michael K. Martin, Tonie E. Rocke, J. Jeffrey Root, Darren Styles, Sunny Cooper, Kristin Dean, Zachary Dvornicky-Raymond, Dominique Keller, Carlos Sanchez, Brett Dunlap, Thomas Grier, Michael P. Jones, Gregory Nitzel, Erin Patrick, Maureen Purcell, Aaron J. Specht, David L. Suarez

Science

Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in 36 US states and five Canadian provinces in free-ranging cervids and/or commercial captive cervid facilities. CWD has been detected in free-ranging cervids in 36 states and four provinces and in captive cervid facilities in 22 states and three provinces.
Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease

Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in 36 US states and five Canadian provinces in free-ranging cervids and/or commercial captive cervid facilities. CWD has been detected in free-ranging cervids in 36 states and four provinces and in captive cervid facilities in 22 states and three provinces.
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Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern due to their potential effects on health, ecosystems, and economies. Algal toxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain species of cyanobacteria and algae, are commonly linked to these blooms. It's important to note that algal toxins can still be present even when a bloom is not visible, highlighting the need for ongoing...
Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery

Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern due to their potential effects on health, ecosystems, and economies. Algal toxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain species of cyanobacteria and algae, are commonly linked to these blooms. It's important to note that algal toxins can still be present even when a bloom is not visible, highlighting the need for ongoing...
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Avian Influenza Surveillance

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) conducts surveillance in wild birds to facilitate early detection and situational awareness for high consequence pathogens, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses.
Avian Influenza Surveillance

Avian Influenza Surveillance

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) conducts surveillance in wild birds to facilitate early detection and situational awareness for high consequence pathogens, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses.
Learn More
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