Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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

The USGS One Health Approach to Infectious Diseases of Wildlife and Environmental Change

The USGS One Health Approach to Infectious Diseases of Wildlife and Environmental Change

Pathology Case of the Month - Gulls

Pathology Case of the Month - Gulls

Pathology Case of the Month - Little Brown Bat

Pathology Case of the Month - Little Brown Bat

Publications

Electrocution (avian) case definition for wildlife

Diagnostic laboratories receive carcasses and samples for diagnostic evaluation and pathogen/toxin detection. Case definitions bring clarity and consistency to the evaluation process. Their use within and between organizations allows more uniform reporting of diseases and etiologic agents.The intent of a case definition is to provide scientifically based criteria for determining (a) if an individu
Authors
Julia S. Lankton, Laura Bourque, Bridget B. Baker, Jane Parmley

Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) case definition for wildlife

Diagnostic laboratories receive carcasses and samples for diagnostic evaluation and pathogen/toxin detection. Case definitions bring clarity and consistency to the evaluation process. Their use within and between organizations allows more uniform reporting of diseases and etiologic agents.The intent of a case definition is to provide scientifically based criteria for determining (a) if an individu
Authors
Julia S. Lankton, Brian Stevens, Lenny Shirose, Christina Davy

Avian botulism case definition for wildlife

Diagnostic laboratories receive carcasses and samples for diagnostic evaluation and pathogen/toxin detection. Case definitions bring clarity and consistency to the evaluation process. Their use within and between organizations allows more uniform reporting of diseases and etiologic agents.The intent of a case definition is to provide scientifically based criteria for determining (a) if an individu
Authors
Julia S. Lankton, Brian Stevens

Science

Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in 32 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 32 states and four provinces and in captive cervid facilities in 19 states and three provinces.
link

Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in 32 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 32 states and four provinces and in captive cervid facilities in 19 states and three provinces.
Learn More

Application of a systems approach for management of chronic wasting disease

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Ventana Systems, Inc. , and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) are applying a systems approach to map and model the complex relationships among ecological, epidemiological, social, and political processes affecting CWD. Through a participatory modeling process, we gathered subject matter...
link

Application of a systems approach for management of chronic wasting disease

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Ventana Systems, Inc. , and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) are applying a systems approach to map and model the complex relationships among ecological, epidemiological, social, and political processes affecting CWD. Through a participatory modeling process, we gathered subject matter...
Learn More

Investigating coronaviruses and white-nose syndrome fungus in free-ranging North American bats

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, using samples collected by state, federal, and tribal partners as part of the white-nose syndrome/Pd fungus surveillance, assessed the genetic diversity of bat coronaviruses in North America.
link

Investigating coronaviruses and white-nose syndrome fungus in free-ranging North American bats

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, using samples collected by state, federal, and tribal partners as part of the white-nose syndrome/Pd fungus surveillance, assessed the genetic diversity of bat coronaviruses in North America.
Learn More