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Robert Dusek

Robert Dusek is a Wildlife Biologist at the National Wildlife Health Center.

Professional Experience

  • Aug. 2001 - Present, Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin.

  • Feb. 1998 - Aug. 2001, Graduate Student/Biological Technician, Florida Game and Fish Commission and University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

  • Oct. 1995 - Jan. 1998, Biological Technician (Marine), Biscayne National Park, Homestead, Florida.

  • Nov. 1991 - Oct. 1995, Biological Technician (Wildlife), Pacific Islands Science Center (Wildlife Disease Lab), Volcano, Hawaii.

  • June 1991 - Nov. 1991, Wildlife Biologist, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge, Tulelake, California.

Education and Certifications

  • Master of Science, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. 2002.

  • Bachelor of Science, Wildlife Management. Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. 1989

Science and Products

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WARC scientist sits on a dock on the Red River with a syringe preparing to collect blood from a Grass Carp

Laboratory Investigations with Fish Species to Assist with Implementing Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program’s Ecological Management Action Plans

WARC scientists will obtain live fish specimens from the field to conduct and enhance on-going laboratory research on harmful algal blooms and the use of piscicides to control invasive fish.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Laboratory Investigations with Fish Species to Assist with Implementing Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program’s Ecological Management Action Plans

WARC scientists will obtain live fish specimens from the field to conduct and enhance on-going laboratory research on harmful algal blooms and the use of piscicides to control invasive fish.
Learn More
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Microcystin

Detecting Sublethal Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms in Mammalian and Avian Cells

USGS Researchers are collaborating to study avian and mammalian cells to detect sublethal toxin effects following exposure to harmful algal blooms.
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Kansas Water Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Detecting Sublethal Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms in Mammalian and Avian Cells

USGS Researchers are collaborating to study avian and mammalian cells to detect sublethal toxin effects following exposure to harmful algal blooms.
Learn More
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Common Murre on the water in Kachemak Bay, Alaska

Algal Toxins and Wildlife Health

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have the potential to harm fish and wildlife, domestic animals, livestock, and humans through toxin production or ecological disturbances such as oxygen depletion and blockage of sunlight.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Environmental Health Program, National Wildlife Health Center
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Algal Toxins and Wildlife Health

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have the potential to harm fish and wildlife, domestic animals, livestock, and humans through toxin production or ecological disturbances such as oxygen depletion and blockage of sunlight.
Learn More
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Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.

Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a viral disease caused by various strains of avian influenza viruses that can be classified as low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It remains a global disease with potential high consequence with the potential to threaten wildlife, agriculture, and human health.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
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Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a viral disease caused by various strains of avian influenza viruses that can be classified as low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It remains a global disease with potential high consequence with the potential to threaten wildlife, agriculture, and human health.
Learn More
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Mosquito, species not verified

Vector-Borne Diseases

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted from one animal to another by vectors, including insects, such as mosquitoes or fleas, and arachnids, such as ticks. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center investigates wildlife diseases, including vector-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus and sylvatic plague.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
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Vector-Borne Diseases

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted from one animal to another by vectors, including insects, such as mosquitoes or fleas, and arachnids, such as ticks. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center investigates wildlife diseases, including vector-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus and sylvatic plague.
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Dataset: Sero-surveillance for avian influenza exposure in wild birds in Iceland, 2012-2017

From 2010-2018 we investigated the occurrence of avian influenza antibody in wild birds in Iceland. A total of 2453 serum samples were collected from wild birds. We tested all samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for evidence of previous exposure to avian influenza virus with 1302 testing positive.
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National Wildlife Health Center

Avian morbidity and mortality data reported to the Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership - event reporting system (WHISPers) in the continental United States for events beginning on or between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023

Avian morbidity and mortality events reported in WHISPers that began in calendar year 2023. Events reported in WHISPers represent only those events that are reported to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center or the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Studies at the University of Georgia, or that State, Federal, and Tribal partners voluntarily report into WHISPers, not legal, and marked as
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National Wildlife Health Center

USGS National Wildlife Health Center necropsy results to determine cause of illness/death for seabirds collected in Alaska from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021

Summary of Bering and Chukchi Seas seabird necropsies, 2017-2021. More than 14,000 dead seabirds were reported and a total of 117 carcasses were examined. 92 cases had emaciation identified as the Cause Of Death (COD), seven cases where COD was undetermined, and 17 cases where COD was determined as "Other", which included predation, trauma, encephalitis, peritonitis, and bacterial infection. Low P
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National Wildlife Health Center

Results of algal toxin testing from wildlife mortality submissions to the National Wildlife Health Center

This data set is composed of all animals received as a diagnostic submission to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center for which algal toxin testing was performed from November 1998 to January 2018. Birds with a histologic diagnosis of avian vacuolar myelinopathy, a disease caused by the algal toxin aetokthonotoxin, are also included. Algal toxins tested for include brevetoxin, cylindrospermopsi
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Dataset: Surveillance for Avian Influenza Virus in Iceland, 2010 - 2018

From 2010-2018 we investigated the occurrence of avian influenza virus in wild birds in Iceland. A total of 6635 swabs samples were collected from wild birds or fecal material directly associated with wild birds. We screened all samples by a real time - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test with 381 testing positive. Further testing of all RT-PCR positive samples and all negative samples collect
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Dataset: Acute oral toxicity and tissue residues of saxitoxin in the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

This data set is composed of data collected from an experimental study inoculating mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) with Saxitoxin and associated control ducks. Data includes the specific of inoculation, observational behavioral data, daily weights, dosing, results of inoculation, testing of samples collected throughout the study, and necropsy results.
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

SUPERSEDED: Data Associated with Algal Toxin Testing of Seabirds from the Bering and Chukchi Seas, 2017

This data set is comprised of three tables with results of algal toxin screening for saxitoxin and domoic acid. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to screen seabirds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, 2017.
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Alaska Science Center

Occurrence of Chlamydia sp in apparently healthy birds associated with a mortality event caused by chlamydiosis: Data

hese data sets are is a compilation of bird and environmental samples obtained from 6 sites in Maricopa County, Arizona on the dates shown. Sites were only visited and sampled if they had Rosy-cheeked lovebirds coming to bird feeders at the location and with the permission of the property owner. Two swab samples were obtained from each captured bird and 3 swab samples were collected from the envir
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Image: Biting Mosquito
Biting Mosquito
Biting Mosquito
Image: Biting Mosquito

Biting Mosquito

Biting Mosquito

Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.

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Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Image: Biting Mosquito

Biting Mosquito

Biting Mosquito

Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.

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Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Sanderling on sand.
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Sanderling on sand.

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Sanderling (Calidris alba) walking on sand, seen during field work in Iceland in 2014.

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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center
Sanderling on sand.

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Sanderling (Calidris alba) walking on sand, seen during field work in Iceland in 2014.

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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.
Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)
Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2013.     

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Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2013.     

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.
Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)
Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2013.     

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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2013.     

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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Three lesser black-backed gulls flying.
Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)
Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)
Three lesser black-backed gulls flying.

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2012.

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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Three lesser black-backed gulls flying.

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2012.

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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Iceland gull flying over water.
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)
Iceland gull flying over water.

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Iceland gull (Larus glaucoides) photographed during field work in Iceland.

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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Iceland gull flying over water.

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Iceland gull (Larus glaucoides) photographed during field work in Iceland.

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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Image: Iceland Gull
Iceland Gull
Iceland Gull
Image: Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull

Gulls, such as this Iceland gull, play an important role in moving avian flu viruses across the North Atlantic between Europe and North America.

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Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Image: Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull

Gulls, such as this Iceland gull, play an important role in moving avian flu viruses across the North Atlantic between Europe and North America.

By
Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Image: Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Image: Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Gulls, such as this lesser black-backed gull, play an important role in moving avian flu viruses across the North Atlantic between Europe and North America.

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Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Image: Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Gulls, such as this lesser black-backed gull, play an important role in moving avian flu viruses across the North Atlantic between Europe and North America.

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Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Testing for Avian Influenza
Testing for Avian Influenza
Testing for Avian Influenza
Testing for Avian Influenza

Testing for Avian Influenza

Testing for Avian Influenza

A USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza. 

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Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Testing for Avian Influenza

Testing for Avian Influenza

Testing for Avian Influenza

A USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza. 

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Mallard duck being held by scientists with gloved hands while another scientist swabs duck's cloacal.
USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza
USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza
Mallard duck being held by scientists with gloved hands while another scientist swabs duck's cloacal.

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza in Rio Grande County, Colorado.

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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center, Bird Banding Laboratory
Mallard duck being held by scientists with gloved hands while another scientist swabs duck's cloacal.

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza in Rio Grande County, Colorado.

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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center, Bird Banding Laboratory
USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck
USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck
USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck
USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck

USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck

USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck

USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza. 

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Contaminant Biology, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program
USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck

USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck

USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck

USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza. 

By
Contaminant Biology, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program
Image: USGS Avian Flu Research
USGS Avian Flu Research
USGS Avian Flu Research
Image: USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS scientist Dede Goldberg swabs a pintail duck for avian influenza at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado.

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Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Image: USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS scientist Dede Goldberg swabs a pintail duck for avian influenza at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado.

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Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Image: USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring
USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring
USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring
Image: USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

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

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Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Image: USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

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

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Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Blue-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler. 

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National Wildlife Health Center
Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler. 

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National Wildlife Health Center
Filter Total Items: 69

Sero-epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses among wild birds in subarctic intercontinental transition zones

Background: The geographic expansion and evolution of A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996(H5N1) (Gs/GD) lineage H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses since 1996 have raised awareness of enzootic circulation among migratory birds and the potential for intercontinental transport and spread. Recent Pacific- and Atlantic-route introductions of HPAI to North America were facilitated by avian migra
Authors
Jonathon D. Gass Jr., Robert J. Dusek, Nichola J. Hill, Laura Borkenhagen, Jeffrey S. Hall, Gunnar Thor Hallgrimsson, Mary Anne Bishop, Andrew M. Ramey, Timothy J. Spivey, Solvi Runar Vignisson, Sunna Bjork Ragnarsdottir, Halldór Pálmar Halldórsson, Jón Einar Jónsson, Alexa D. Simulynas, Felicia B. Nutter, Wendy B. Puryear, Jonathan A. Runstadler
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Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Viral pathogen detection in U.S. game-farm mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) flags spillover risk to wild birds

The threat posed by emerging infectious diseases is a major concern for global public health, animal health and food security, and the role of birds in transmission is increasingly under scrutiny. Each year, millions of mass-reared game-farm birds are released into the wild, presenting a unique and a poorly understood risk to wild and susceptible bird populations, and to human health. In particula
Authors
Brian P. Bourke, Robert J. Dusek, Koray Ergunay, Yvonne-Marie Linton, Serguei Vyacheslavovich Drovetski
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Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryAlgal blooms in water, soils, dusts, and the environment have captured national attention because of concerns associated with exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals. Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems. However, excessive algae growth can be associated with many harmful effects ranging from aes
Authors
Victoria G. Christensen, Christopher J. Crawford, Robert J. Dusek, Michael J. Focazio, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Jennifer L. Graham, Celeste A. Journey, Mari E. Lee, James H. Larson, Sarah M. Stackpoole, Viviana Mazzei, Emily J. Pindilli, Barnett A. Rattner, E. Terrence Slonecker, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy J. Reilly, Ashley E. Lopez
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Kansas Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Landsat Missions

Modeling the response of an endangered rabbit population to RHDV2 and vaccination

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2), recently detected in the western United States, has the potential to cause mass mortality events in wild rabbit and hare populations. Currently, few management strategies exist other than vaccination. We developed a spatially explicit model of RHDV2 for a population of riparian brush rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius), a subspecies of brush rabbit cl
Authors
Robin Russell, Robert J. Dusek, Stephanie Prevost, Deana L. Clifford, Megan Moriarty, Fumika Takahashi
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Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Partnering in search of answers: Seabird die-offs in the Bering and Chukchi Seas

Prior to 2015, seabird die-offs in Alaskan waters were rare; they typically occurred in mid-winter, linked to epizootic disease events or above-average ocean temperatures associated with strong El Nino-Southern Oscillation events (Bodenstein et al. 2015, Jones et al. 2019, Romano et al. 2020). Since 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has monitored mortality events that have become an
Authors
Robb A. S. Kaler, Gay Sheffield, S Backensto, Jackie Lindsey, T. Jones, J. Parrish, B Ahmasuk, Barbara Bodenstein, Robert J. Dusek, Caroline R. Van Hemert, Matthew M. Smith, P Schwalenberg
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Global dissemination of Influenza A virus is driven by wild bird migration through arctic and subarctic zones

Influenza A viruses (IAV) circulate endemically among many wild aquatic bird populations that seasonally migrate between wintering grounds in southern latitudes to breeding ranges along the perimeter of the circumpolar arctic. Arctic and subarctic zones are hypothesized to serve as ecologic drivers of the intercontinental movement and reassortment of IAVs due to high densities of disparate populat
Authors
Jonathan D. Jr. Gass, Robert J. Dusek, Jeffrey S. Hall, Gunnar Thor Hallgrimsson, Halldór Pálmar Halldórsson, Solvi Runar Vignisson, Sunna Bjork Ragnarsdottir, Jón Einar Jónsson, Scott Krauss, Wong. Sook-San, Xiu-Feng Wan, Sadia Akter, Srinand Sreevatsan, Nidia S. Trovão, Felicia B. Nutter, Jonathan A. Runstadler, Nichola J. Hill
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Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Paralytic shellfish toxins associated with Arctic Tern mortalities in Alaska

Harmful algal blooms produce biotoxins that can injure or kill fish, wildlife, and humans. These blooms occur naturally but have intensified in many locations globally due to recent climatic changes, including ocean warming. Such changes are especially pronounced in northern regions, where the effects of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) on marine wildlife are of growing concern. In Alaska, seabir
Authors
Caroline R. Van Hemert, John Harley, Gwen Baluss, Matthew M. Smith, Robert J. Dusek, Julia S. Lankton, D. Ransom Hardison, Sarah K. Schoen, Robert Kaler
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Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Alaska Science Center

A review of algal toxin exposures on reserved federal lands and among trust species in the United States

Associated health effects from algal toxin exposure are a growing concern for human and animal health. Algal toxin poisonings may occur from contact with or consumption of water supplies or from ingestion of contaminated animals. The U.S. Federal Government owns or holds in trust about 259 million hectares of land, in addition to the Trust species obligations. We completed the first comprehensive
Authors
Zachary Laughrey, Victoria Christensen, Robert J. Dusek, Sarena Senegal, Julia S. Lankton, Tracy Ziegler, Lee C. Jones, Daniel Jones, Brianna Williams, Stephanie Gordon, Gerald A. Clyde, Erich B Emery, Keith Loftin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Kansas Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Acute oral toxicity and tissue residues of saxitoxin in the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Since 2014, widespread, annual mortality events involving multiple species of seabirds have occurred in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Chukchi Sea. Among these die-offs, emaciation was a common finding with starvation often identified as the cause of death. However, saxitoxin (STX) was detected in many carcasses, indicating exposure of these seabirds to STX in the marine environment. Few data
Authors
Robert J. Dusek, Matthew M. Smith, Caroline R. Van Hemert, Valerie I. Shearn-Bochsler, Sherwood Hall, Clark D. Ridge, Ransome Hardison, Robert Kaler, Barbara Bodenstein, Erik K. Hofmeister, Jeffrey S. Hall
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, National Wildlife Health Center

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N2 (Clade 2.3.4.4) challenge of mallards age appropriate to the 2015 midwestern poultry outbreak

BackgroundThe 2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4 outbreak in upper midwestern U.S. poultry operations was not detected in wild birds to any great degree during the outbreak, despite wild waterfowl being implicated in the introduction, reassortment, and movement of the virus into North America from Asia. This outbreak led to the demise of over 50 million domesti
Authors
Jeffrey S. Hall, Daniel A. Grear, Scott Krauss, Patrick Seiler, Robert J. Dusek, Sean Nashold, Robert G. Webster
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Investigation of algal toxins in a multispecies seabird die-off in the Bering and Chukchi seas

Between 2014 and 2017, widespread seabird mortality events were documented annually in the Bering and Chukchi seas, concurrent with dramatic reductions of sea ice, warmer than average ocean temperatures, and rapid shifts in marine ecosystems. Among other changes in the marine environment, harmful algal blooms (HABs) that produce the neurotoxins saxitoxin (STX) and domoic acid (DA) have been identi
Authors
Caroline R. Van Hemert, Robert J. Dusek, Matthew M. Smith, Robert Kaler, Gay Sheffield, Lauren M. Divine, Kathy J. Kuletz, Susan Knowles, Julia S. Lankton, D. Ransom Hardison, R. Wayne Litaker, Timothy Jones, Hillary K. Burgess, Julia K. Parrish
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Alaska Science Center

Quarterly wildlife mortality report July 2020

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) Quarterly Mortality Report provides brief summaries of epizootic mortality and morbidity events by quarter. The write-ups, highlighting epizootic events and other wildlife disease topics of interest, are published in the Wildlife Disease Association quarterly newsletter. A link is provided in this WDA newsletter to the Wildlife Health Information Sha
Authors
Bryan J. Richards, Anne Ballmann, Barbara Bodenstein, Robert J. Dusek, Jonathan M. Sleeman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Dusek, R.J., M.G. Spalding, D.J. Forrester, N. Komar, and J.F. Day. 2005. Morbidity and mortality factors in pre-fledged Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) chicks. Proceedings North American Crane Workshop 9: 7-13.
Dusek, R.J., M.G. Spalding, D.J. Forrester, and E.C. Greiner. 2004. Haemoproteus balearicae and other blood parasites of free-ranging sandhill crane chicks. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40: 682-687.
https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-40.4.682
Dusek, R.J. and D.J. Forrester. 2002. Blood parasites of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and fish crows (C. ossifragus) in Florida, U.S.A. Comparative Parasitology 69: 92-96.
https://doi.org/10.1654/1525-2647(2002)069[0092:BPOACC]2.0.CO;2
Frederick, P.C., M.G. Spalding, and R. Dusek. 2002. Wading birds as bioindicators of mercury contamination in Florida, USA: annual and geographic variation. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 21: 163-167.
https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620210123
Spalding, M.G., S.A. Nesbitt, S.T. Schwikert and R.J. Dusek. 2001. The use of radio transmitters to monitor survival of sandhill crane chicks. Proceedings of the Eighth North American Crane Workshop 8: 213-215.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Modeling the response of an endangered rabbit population to RHDV2 and vaccination

Modeling the response of an endangered rabbit population to RHDV2 and vaccination

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2), a Lagovirus in the family Caliciviridae, has caused substantial mortality in wild lagomorph (rabbit...

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Science and Products

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WARC scientist sits on a dock on the Red River with a syringe preparing to collect blood from a Grass Carp

Laboratory Investigations with Fish Species to Assist with Implementing Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program’s Ecological Management Action Plans

WARC scientists will obtain live fish specimens from the field to conduct and enhance on-going laboratory research on harmful algal blooms and the use of piscicides to control invasive fish.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Laboratory Investigations with Fish Species to Assist with Implementing Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program’s Ecological Management Action Plans

WARC scientists will obtain live fish specimens from the field to conduct and enhance on-going laboratory research on harmful algal blooms and the use of piscicides to control invasive fish.
Learn More
link
Microcystin

Detecting Sublethal Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms in Mammalian and Avian Cells

USGS Researchers are collaborating to study avian and mammalian cells to detect sublethal toxin effects following exposure to harmful algal blooms.
By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Kansas Water Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Detecting Sublethal Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms in Mammalian and Avian Cells

USGS Researchers are collaborating to study avian and mammalian cells to detect sublethal toxin effects following exposure to harmful algal blooms.
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Common Murre on the water in Kachemak Bay, Alaska

Algal Toxins and Wildlife Health

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have the potential to harm fish and wildlife, domestic animals, livestock, and humans through toxin production or ecological disturbances such as oxygen depletion and blockage of sunlight.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Environmental Health Program, National Wildlife Health Center
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Algal Toxins and Wildlife Health

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have the potential to harm fish and wildlife, domestic animals, livestock, and humans through toxin production or ecological disturbances such as oxygen depletion and blockage of sunlight.
Learn More
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Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.

Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a viral disease caused by various strains of avian influenza viruses that can be classified as low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It remains a global disease with potential high consequence with the potential to threaten wildlife, agriculture, and human health.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
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Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a viral disease caused by various strains of avian influenza viruses that can be classified as low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It remains a global disease with potential high consequence with the potential to threaten wildlife, agriculture, and human health.
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Mosquito, species not verified

Vector-Borne Diseases

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted from one animal to another by vectors, including insects, such as mosquitoes or fleas, and arachnids, such as ticks. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center investigates wildlife diseases, including vector-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus and sylvatic plague.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
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Vector-Borne Diseases

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted from one animal to another by vectors, including insects, such as mosquitoes or fleas, and arachnids, such as ticks. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center investigates wildlife diseases, including vector-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus and sylvatic plague.
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Dataset: Sero-surveillance for avian influenza exposure in wild birds in Iceland, 2012-2017

From 2010-2018 we investigated the occurrence of avian influenza antibody in wild birds in Iceland. A total of 2453 serum samples were collected from wild birds. We tested all samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for evidence of previous exposure to avian influenza virus with 1302 testing positive.
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National Wildlife Health Center

Avian morbidity and mortality data reported to the Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership - event reporting system (WHISPers) in the continental United States for events beginning on or between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023

Avian morbidity and mortality events reported in WHISPers that began in calendar year 2023. Events reported in WHISPers represent only those events that are reported to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center or the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Studies at the University of Georgia, or that State, Federal, and Tribal partners voluntarily report into WHISPers, not legal, and marked as
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National Wildlife Health Center

USGS National Wildlife Health Center necropsy results to determine cause of illness/death for seabirds collected in Alaska from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021

Summary of Bering and Chukchi Seas seabird necropsies, 2017-2021. More than 14,000 dead seabirds were reported and a total of 117 carcasses were examined. 92 cases had emaciation identified as the Cause Of Death (COD), seven cases where COD was undetermined, and 17 cases where COD was determined as "Other", which included predation, trauma, encephalitis, peritonitis, and bacterial infection. Low P
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National Wildlife Health Center

Results of algal toxin testing from wildlife mortality submissions to the National Wildlife Health Center

This data set is composed of all animals received as a diagnostic submission to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center for which algal toxin testing was performed from November 1998 to January 2018. Birds with a histologic diagnosis of avian vacuolar myelinopathy, a disease caused by the algal toxin aetokthonotoxin, are also included. Algal toxins tested for include brevetoxin, cylindrospermopsi
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Dataset: Surveillance for Avian Influenza Virus in Iceland, 2010 - 2018

From 2010-2018 we investigated the occurrence of avian influenza virus in wild birds in Iceland. A total of 6635 swabs samples were collected from wild birds or fecal material directly associated with wild birds. We screened all samples by a real time - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test with 381 testing positive. Further testing of all RT-PCR positive samples and all negative samples collect
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Dataset: Acute oral toxicity and tissue residues of saxitoxin in the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

This data set is composed of data collected from an experimental study inoculating mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) with Saxitoxin and associated control ducks. Data includes the specific of inoculation, observational behavioral data, daily weights, dosing, results of inoculation, testing of samples collected throughout the study, and necropsy results.
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

SUPERSEDED: Data Associated with Algal Toxin Testing of Seabirds from the Bering and Chukchi Seas, 2017

This data set is comprised of three tables with results of algal toxin screening for saxitoxin and domoic acid. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to screen seabirds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, 2017.
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Alaska Science Center

Occurrence of Chlamydia sp in apparently healthy birds associated with a mortality event caused by chlamydiosis: Data

hese data sets are is a compilation of bird and environmental samples obtained from 6 sites in Maricopa County, Arizona on the dates shown. Sites were only visited and sampled if they had Rosy-cheeked lovebirds coming to bird feeders at the location and with the permission of the property owner. Two swab samples were obtained from each captured bird and 3 swab samples were collected from the envir
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Image: Biting Mosquito
Biting Mosquito
Biting Mosquito
Image: Biting Mosquito

Biting Mosquito

Biting Mosquito

Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.

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Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Image: Biting Mosquito

Biting Mosquito

Biting Mosquito

Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.

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Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Sanderling on sand.
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Sanderling on sand.

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Sanderling (Calidris alba) walking on sand, seen during field work in Iceland in 2014.

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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center
Sanderling on sand.

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Sanderling (Calidris alba) walking on sand, seen during field work in Iceland in 2014.

By
Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.
Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)
Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2013.     

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2013.     

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.
Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)
Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2013.     

By
Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Northern gannet flying with mountains in background.

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2013.     

By
Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Three lesser black-backed gulls flying.
Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)
Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)
Three lesser black-backed gulls flying.

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2012.

By
Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Three lesser black-backed gulls flying.

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus)

Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) seen during field work in Iceland in 2012.

By
Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Iceland gull flying over water.
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)
Iceland gull flying over water.

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Iceland gull (Larus glaucoides) photographed during field work in Iceland.

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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Iceland gull flying over water.

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Iceland gull (Larus glaucoides) photographed during field work in Iceland.

By
Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Image: Iceland Gull
Iceland Gull
Iceland Gull
Image: Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull

Gulls, such as this Iceland gull, play an important role in moving avian flu viruses across the North Atlantic between Europe and North America.

By
Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Image: Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull

Gulls, such as this Iceland gull, play an important role in moving avian flu viruses across the North Atlantic between Europe and North America.

By
Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Image: Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Image: Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Gulls, such as this lesser black-backed gull, play an important role in moving avian flu viruses across the North Atlantic between Europe and North America.

By
Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Image: Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Gulls, such as this lesser black-backed gull, play an important role in moving avian flu viruses across the North Atlantic between Europe and North America.

By
Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Testing for Avian Influenza
Testing for Avian Influenza
Testing for Avian Influenza
Testing for Avian Influenza

Testing for Avian Influenza

Testing for Avian Influenza

A USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza. 

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Testing for Avian Influenza

Testing for Avian Influenza

Testing for Avian Influenza

A USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza. 

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Mallard duck being held by scientists with gloved hands while another scientist swabs duck's cloacal.
USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza
USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza
Mallard duck being held by scientists with gloved hands while another scientist swabs duck's cloacal.

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza in Rio Grande County, Colorado.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center, Bird Banding Laboratory
Mallard duck being held by scientists with gloved hands while another scientist swabs duck's cloacal.

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza in Rio Grande County, Colorado.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center, Bird Banding Laboratory
USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck
USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck
USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck
USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck

USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck

USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck

USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza. 

By
Contaminant Biology, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program
USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck

USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck

USGS Scientist Takes a Sample from a Northern Pintail Duck

USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza. 

By
Contaminant Biology, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program
Image: USGS Avian Flu Research
USGS Avian Flu Research
USGS Avian Flu Research
Image: USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS scientist Dede Goldberg swabs a pintail duck for avian influenza at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Image: USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS Avian Flu Research

USGS scientist Dede Goldberg swabs a pintail duck for avian influenza at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Image: USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring
USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring
USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring
Image: USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

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

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Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Image: USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

USGS Scientist Set Mistnets for West Nile Virus Monitoring

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

By
Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing
Blue-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler. 

By
National Wildlife Health Center
Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler. 

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National Wildlife Health Center
Filter Total Items: 69

Sero-epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses among wild birds in subarctic intercontinental transition zones

Background: The geographic expansion and evolution of A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996(H5N1) (Gs/GD) lineage H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses since 1996 have raised awareness of enzootic circulation among migratory birds and the potential for intercontinental transport and spread. Recent Pacific- and Atlantic-route introductions of HPAI to North America were facilitated by avian migra
Authors
Jonathon D. Gass Jr., Robert J. Dusek, Nichola J. Hill, Laura Borkenhagen, Jeffrey S. Hall, Gunnar Thor Hallgrimsson, Mary Anne Bishop, Andrew M. Ramey, Timothy J. Spivey, Solvi Runar Vignisson, Sunna Bjork Ragnarsdottir, Halldór Pálmar Halldórsson, Jón Einar Jónsson, Alexa D. Simulynas, Felicia B. Nutter, Wendy B. Puryear, Jonathan A. Runstadler
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Viral pathogen detection in U.S. game-farm mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) flags spillover risk to wild birds

The threat posed by emerging infectious diseases is a major concern for global public health, animal health and food security, and the role of birds in transmission is increasingly under scrutiny. Each year, millions of mass-reared game-farm birds are released into the wild, presenting a unique and a poorly understood risk to wild and susceptible bird populations, and to human health. In particula
Authors
Brian P. Bourke, Robert J. Dusek, Koray Ergunay, Yvonne-Marie Linton, Serguei Vyacheslavovich Drovetski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryAlgal blooms in water, soils, dusts, and the environment have captured national attention because of concerns associated with exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals. Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems. However, excessive algae growth can be associated with many harmful effects ranging from aes
Authors
Victoria G. Christensen, Christopher J. Crawford, Robert J. Dusek, Michael J. Focazio, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Jennifer L. Graham, Celeste A. Journey, Mari E. Lee, James H. Larson, Sarah M. Stackpoole, Viviana Mazzei, Emily J. Pindilli, Barnett A. Rattner, E. Terrence Slonecker, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy J. Reilly, Ashley E. Lopez
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Kansas Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Landsat Missions

Modeling the response of an endangered rabbit population to RHDV2 and vaccination

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2), recently detected in the western United States, has the potential to cause mass mortality events in wild rabbit and hare populations. Currently, few management strategies exist other than vaccination. We developed a spatially explicit model of RHDV2 for a population of riparian brush rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius), a subspecies of brush rabbit cl
Authors
Robin Russell, Robert J. Dusek, Stephanie Prevost, Deana L. Clifford, Megan Moriarty, Fumika Takahashi
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Partnering in search of answers: Seabird die-offs in the Bering and Chukchi Seas

Prior to 2015, seabird die-offs in Alaskan waters were rare; they typically occurred in mid-winter, linked to epizootic disease events or above-average ocean temperatures associated with strong El Nino-Southern Oscillation events (Bodenstein et al. 2015, Jones et al. 2019, Romano et al. 2020). Since 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has monitored mortality events that have become an
Authors
Robb A. S. Kaler, Gay Sheffield, S Backensto, Jackie Lindsey, T. Jones, J. Parrish, B Ahmasuk, Barbara Bodenstein, Robert J. Dusek, Caroline R. Van Hemert, Matthew M. Smith, P Schwalenberg
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Global dissemination of Influenza A virus is driven by wild bird migration through arctic and subarctic zones

Influenza A viruses (IAV) circulate endemically among many wild aquatic bird populations that seasonally migrate between wintering grounds in southern latitudes to breeding ranges along the perimeter of the circumpolar arctic. Arctic and subarctic zones are hypothesized to serve as ecologic drivers of the intercontinental movement and reassortment of IAVs due to high densities of disparate populat
Authors
Jonathan D. Jr. Gass, Robert J. Dusek, Jeffrey S. Hall, Gunnar Thor Hallgrimsson, Halldór Pálmar Halldórsson, Solvi Runar Vignisson, Sunna Bjork Ragnarsdottir, Jón Einar Jónsson, Scott Krauss, Wong. Sook-San, Xiu-Feng Wan, Sadia Akter, Srinand Sreevatsan, Nidia S. Trovão, Felicia B. Nutter, Jonathan A. Runstadler, Nichola J. Hill
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Paralytic shellfish toxins associated with Arctic Tern mortalities in Alaska

Harmful algal blooms produce biotoxins that can injure or kill fish, wildlife, and humans. These blooms occur naturally but have intensified in many locations globally due to recent climatic changes, including ocean warming. Such changes are especially pronounced in northern regions, where the effects of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) on marine wildlife are of growing concern. In Alaska, seabir
Authors
Caroline R. Van Hemert, John Harley, Gwen Baluss, Matthew M. Smith, Robert J. Dusek, Julia S. Lankton, D. Ransom Hardison, Sarah K. Schoen, Robert Kaler
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Alaska Science Center

A review of algal toxin exposures on reserved federal lands and among trust species in the United States

Associated health effects from algal toxin exposure are a growing concern for human and animal health. Algal toxin poisonings may occur from contact with or consumption of water supplies or from ingestion of contaminated animals. The U.S. Federal Government owns or holds in trust about 259 million hectares of land, in addition to the Trust species obligations. We completed the first comprehensive
Authors
Zachary Laughrey, Victoria Christensen, Robert J. Dusek, Sarena Senegal, Julia S. Lankton, Tracy Ziegler, Lee C. Jones, Daniel Jones, Brianna Williams, Stephanie Gordon, Gerald A. Clyde, Erich B Emery, Keith Loftin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Kansas Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Acute oral toxicity and tissue residues of saxitoxin in the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Since 2014, widespread, annual mortality events involving multiple species of seabirds have occurred in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Chukchi Sea. Among these die-offs, emaciation was a common finding with starvation often identified as the cause of death. However, saxitoxin (STX) was detected in many carcasses, indicating exposure of these seabirds to STX in the marine environment. Few data
Authors
Robert J. Dusek, Matthew M. Smith, Caroline R. Van Hemert, Valerie I. Shearn-Bochsler, Sherwood Hall, Clark D. Ridge, Ransome Hardison, Robert Kaler, Barbara Bodenstein, Erik K. Hofmeister, Jeffrey S. Hall
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, National Wildlife Health Center

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N2 (Clade 2.3.4.4) challenge of mallards age appropriate to the 2015 midwestern poultry outbreak

BackgroundThe 2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4 outbreak in upper midwestern U.S. poultry operations was not detected in wild birds to any great degree during the outbreak, despite wild waterfowl being implicated in the introduction, reassortment, and movement of the virus into North America from Asia. This outbreak led to the demise of over 50 million domesti
Authors
Jeffrey S. Hall, Daniel A. Grear, Scott Krauss, Patrick Seiler, Robert J. Dusek, Sean Nashold, Robert G. Webster
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Investigation of algal toxins in a multispecies seabird die-off in the Bering and Chukchi seas

Between 2014 and 2017, widespread seabird mortality events were documented annually in the Bering and Chukchi seas, concurrent with dramatic reductions of sea ice, warmer than average ocean temperatures, and rapid shifts in marine ecosystems. Among other changes in the marine environment, harmful algal blooms (HABs) that produce the neurotoxins saxitoxin (STX) and domoic acid (DA) have been identi
Authors
Caroline R. Van Hemert, Robert J. Dusek, Matthew M. Smith, Robert Kaler, Gay Sheffield, Lauren M. Divine, Kathy J. Kuletz, Susan Knowles, Julia S. Lankton, D. Ransom Hardison, R. Wayne Litaker, Timothy Jones, Hillary K. Burgess, Julia K. Parrish
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Alaska Science Center

Quarterly wildlife mortality report July 2020

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) Quarterly Mortality Report provides brief summaries of epizootic mortality and morbidity events by quarter. The write-ups, highlighting epizootic events and other wildlife disease topics of interest, are published in the Wildlife Disease Association quarterly newsletter. A link is provided in this WDA newsletter to the Wildlife Health Information Sha
Authors
Bryan J. Richards, Anne Ballmann, Barbara Bodenstein, Robert J. Dusek, Jonathan M. Sleeman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Dusek, R.J., M.G. Spalding, D.J. Forrester, N. Komar, and J.F. Day. 2005. Morbidity and mortality factors in pre-fledged Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) chicks. Proceedings North American Crane Workshop 9: 7-13.
Dusek, R.J., M.G. Spalding, D.J. Forrester, and E.C. Greiner. 2004. Haemoproteus balearicae and other blood parasites of free-ranging sandhill crane chicks. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40: 682-687.
https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-40.4.682
Dusek, R.J. and D.J. Forrester. 2002. Blood parasites of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and fish crows (C. ossifragus) in Florida, U.S.A. Comparative Parasitology 69: 92-96.
https://doi.org/10.1654/1525-2647(2002)069[0092:BPOACC]2.0.CO;2
Frederick, P.C., M.G. Spalding, and R. Dusek. 2002. Wading birds as bioindicators of mercury contamination in Florida, USA: annual and geographic variation. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 21: 163-167.
https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620210123
Spalding, M.G., S.A. Nesbitt, S.T. Schwikert and R.J. Dusek. 2001. The use of radio transmitters to monitor survival of sandhill crane chicks. Proceedings of the Eighth North American Crane Workshop 8: 213-215.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Modeling the response of an endangered rabbit population to RHDV2 and vaccination

Modeling the response of an endangered rabbit population to RHDV2 and vaccination

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2), a Lagovirus in the family Caliciviridae, has caused substantial mortality in wild lagomorph (rabbit...

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