Environmental Health

Where in the United States has West Nile Virus been detected in wildlife?

West Nile Virus has been detected in all conterminous states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam have no reported cases of West Nile virus in humans or animals. Distribution maps are available from the USGS and the Centers for Disease Control.

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Image shows a mule deer doe walking on grass, facing right

What causes chronic wasting disease?

Chronic wasting disease is caused by a misfolded protein called a prion. All mammals produce normal prions that are used by cells, then degraded and eliminated, or recycled, within the body. When disease-associated prions contact normal prions, they cause them to refold into their own abnormal shape. These disease-associated prions are not readily...

Dr. Diann J. Prosser examining a ruddy shelduck

How do I handle a sick or dead animal that might have West Nile Virus?

Under normal conditions, humans are unlikely to be infected with West Nile Virus by handling a sick or dead animal. However, there are a number of other infections that could potentially result from handling an animal. To protect yourself from exposure to any illness, you should wear gloves or put a plastic bag over your hand before touching the...

Dr. Prosser taking samples

How do I know if an animal is infected with West Nile Virus?

Signs of infection in wildlife, like in humans , can range from no symptoms to severe symptoms of neurologic illness. Commonly reported signs in animals include weakness, stumbling, trembling, head tremors, inability to fly/walk, and a lack of awareness that allows them to be easily approached and handled. These symptoms, however, can also have...

Mosquito takes a bloodmeal from an apapane

What is the threat from West Nile Virus (WNV) to endangered and threatened bird species?

This is an issue of great concern, as these populations are already struggling to survive in the current environment. If some of these species are more vulnerable to fatal WNV infection, WNV may ultimately lead to their extinction or significantly set back the progress of the recovery programs.

A Kaua‘i Amakihi on koli‘i

Are birds the only species that is susceptible to West Nile Virus infection?

West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in at least 48 species of mosquitoes, over 320 species of birds, at least 2 species of reptiles, and more than 25 mammalian species, including horses and humans. Birds are the natural host and reservoir of WNV. Although other animals are susceptible to WNV infection, only birds develop a high enough virus...

Image: Northern Pintail Duck

Can hunters get West Nile Virus from eating infected game birds?

Some game birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). However, there is no evidence of human infection by consumption of properly cooked infected game. Hunters are likely at higher risk of infection by mosquito exposure, particularly in wetland environments. Protective measures should be taken to prevent mosquito exposure while hunting...

Free-roaming cat and an orange-crowned warbler

Can my dog or cat get West Nile Virus by eating an infected animal?

Experimentally, it was found that this might be possible. However, there has been no evidence to indicate that West Nile Virus can be naturally transmitted to cats or dogs that carry or consume infected animals. Dogs and cats can be infected with West Nile Virus through the bite of a mosquito, so minimizing their exposure to mosquitoes is...

Whooping Crane, Grus americana, given the Eastern Equine Encephalitis vaccination

Is there a West Nile Virus vaccine available for birds?

At this time, there is not a West Nile Virus vaccine approved for use in birds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with several organizations and laboratories, is developing and testing vaccines for use in birds. Many zoos and wildlife centers have been using the Fort Dodge horse vaccine (West Nile-Innovator®) in...

Testing for Avian Influenza

What is Avian Influenza?

Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus that can infect poultry such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl. It is carried by wild waterfowl (ducks and geese) and shorebirds. Learn more at the USGS Avian Influenza website .

Little brown bat with white-nose syndrome

What is White-nose Syndrome?

White-nose syndrome is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern to the central United States at an alarming rate. Since the winter of 2007-2008, millions of insect-eating bats in at least 33 states and seven Canadian provinces have died from this devastating disease. The disease is named for the white fungus,...

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Year Published: 2015

Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases

Welcome to a new version of the “Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases.” Unlike the previous printed versions of this publication, this new version is being developed as a “living“ electronic publication. Content will periodically be added and (or) updated as warranted, and it will always be reviewed by scientific experts (...

Franson, J. Christian; Friend, Milton; Gibbs, Samantha E. J.; Wild, Margaret A.

Attribution: National Wildlife Health Center, Water Resources, Ecosystems

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Franson, J.C., Friend, M., Gibbs, S.E.J., and Wild, M.A., eds., 2015, Field manual of wildlife diseases: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 15, variously paginated, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/tm15.

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Year Published: 2014

Why bother about wildlife disease?

In most developed countries, the maintenance of the numbers of wildlife1 is vested in the natural resource agencies of those countries. During earlier times, game species were the primary focus of natural resource agencies2,3 however, current wildlife conservation continues to transition towards a more holistic focus on biodiversity4...

Friend, Milton

Attribution: National Wildlife Health Center, Ecosystems

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Friend, Milton, 2014, Why bother about wildlife disease?: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1401, 76 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/cir1401.

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Year Published: 2012

U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 2011 report of selected wildlife diseases

The National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) was founded in 1975 to provide technical assistance in identifying, controlling, and preventing wildlife losses from diseases, conduct research to understand the impact of diseases on wildlife populations, and devise methods to more effectively manage these disease threats. The impetus behind the creation...

Green, David E.; Hines, Megan K.; Russell, Robin E.; Sleeman, Jonathan M.

Attribution: National Wildlife Health Center, Ecosystems

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Year Published: 2010

Climate change and wildlife health: direct and indirect effects

Climate change will have significant effects on the health of wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, according to scientists. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects that unprecedented rates of climate change will result in increasing average global temperatures; rising sea levels; changing global precipitation patterns, including...

Hofmeister, Erik K.; Moede Rogall, Gail; Wesenberg, Katherine; Abbott, Rachel C.; Work, Thierry M.; Schuler, Krysten; Sleeman, Jonathan M.; Winton, James

Attribution: National Wildlife Health Center, Ecosystems

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Climate change and wildlife health: direct and indirect effects; 2010; FS; 2010-3017; Hofmeister, Erik; Rogall, Gail Moede; Wesenberg, Kathy; Abbott, Rachel; Work, Thierry; Schuler, Krysten; Sleeman, Jonathan; Winton, James

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Year Published: 2006

Disease emergence and resurgence—the wildlife-human connection

In 2000, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) was organized as a global disease watchdog group to coordinate disease outbreak information and health crisis response. The World Health Organization (WHO) is the headquarters for this network. Understandably, the primary focus for WHO is human health. However, diseases such as the...

Friend, Milton; Hurley, James W.; Nol, Pauline; Wesenberg, Katherine

Attribution: National Wildlife Health Center, Ecosystems

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Friend, Milton, 2006, Disease emergence and resurgence—the wildlife-human connection: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1285, 400 p., https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/cir1285.

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Year Published: 2003

Effects of West Nile Virus

USGS scientists are embarking on bold new research to better understand the consequences this disease may have on wildlife and human health.

Attribution: National Wildlife Health Center, Ecosystems

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U.S. Geological Survey, 2003, Effects of West Nile Virus (ver. 2.0, August 2003): U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2004–3002, 2 p., https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs20043002.

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Year Published: 2003

USGS West Nile Virus Research Strategy

This plan integrates science across multiple USGS disciplines, and provides national and international opportunities for USGS collaboration with state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations throughout the Americas.

Smith, Gregory; Brand, Christopher J.; Saito, Emi

Attribution: National Wildlife Health Center, Ecosystems

View Citation

USGS West Nile Virus Research Strategy; 2003; FS; 2004-3002; Smith, Gregory; Brand, Christopher; Saito, Emi

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Mosquito, carrier of the Encephalitis virus

December 19, 2016

Mosquito, carrier of the Encephalitis virus

Attribution: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Photograph of a person conducting mosquito sampling on a boardwalk

October 31, 2016

Mosquito sampling along the Alaka‘i Swamp Trail, Kaua‘i

Researchers dip sampling for mosquitoes along the Alaka‘i Swamp Trail, Kaua‘i

Attribution: Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

Photograph of female mosquito (Aedes japonicus)

October 31, 2016

Female mosquito (Aedes japonicus) reared from larvae

A female mosquito (Aedes japonicus) reared from larvae collected from the Kawaikoi Stream, Kauai.

Attribution: Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

Mosquito takes a bloodmeal from an apapane

May 27, 2016

Mosquito takes a bloodmeal from an apapane

Attribution: Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

May 16, 2016

Mosquito trap

Image: Biting Mosquito

March 14, 2016

Biting Mosquito

Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.

Attribution: Ecosystems

Image: USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

February 8, 2005

USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

USGS scientists capture and release wild birds while monitoring for West Nile.

Attribution: Ecosystems

Image: Curlews Caught by Mist Nets

Curlews Caught by Mist Nets

Curlews are very attentive parents and fly close to intruders and alarm call to distract them from their young broods. USGS scientists take advantage of this behavior by using a mist net to sweep birds out of the air when they approach. In June 2007, USGS scientists used this approach to tag 13 curlews with satellite transmitters at their southern breeding area in Alaska.

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Attribution: Ecosystems