Publications
Filter Total Items: 61
Rapid expansion of genotype D1.1 A(H5N1) influenza viruses in wild birds across North America during the 2024 migratory season Rapid expansion of genotype D1.1 A(H5N1) influenza viruses in wild birds across North America during the 2024 migratory season
In late 2021, high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses entered North America and reassorted rapidly with local avian influenza viruses. In September 2024, we detected a new reassortant later classified as genotype D1.1. Using active and passive avian influenza surveillance across Canada and the USA, we tracked the emergence and rapid spread of D1.1 viruses in...
Authors
Walter N. Harrington, Anthony Signore, Lisa Kercher, Jolene A. Giacinti, Ahmed Kandeil, Christina A. Ahlstrom, Sarah N. Bevins, Beate Crossley, Tom P. Fabrizio, Trushar Jeevan, Julianna B. Lenoch, Jacqueline M. Nolting, Daniel Rejmanek, David E. Stallknecht, Trent Bollinger, Evan J. Buck, Deborah Carter, Bradley S. Cohen, Krista E. Dilione, Jamie C. Feddersen, John Franks, Dayna Goldsmith, Cory J. Highway, Chelsea Himsworth, Lydia P. Holmes, Claire M. Jardine, Mohammad Jawad Jahid, Paul K. Link, Lance Miller, Nicole M. Nemeth, Madison Owsiany, Margo J. Pybus, Laura C. Scott, Christopher Sharp, Lauren Smith, Nathan J. Steelman, Brian Stevens, Yohannes Berhane, Mia K. Torchetti, Andrew M. Ramey, Rebecca L. Poulson, Richard J. Webby
Validation and application of a standardized quantitative PCR assay for the assessment of antimicrobial resistance genes in surface water Validation and application of a standardized quantitative PCR assay for the assessment of antimicrobial resistance genes in surface water
Antimicrobial resistance can be an indicator of anthropogenic contamination in surface waters and is a potential public health threat. Methodological standardization for characterization of antimicrobial resistance in the environment is lacking. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is used for rapid assessment of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from environmental sources, including surface water...
Authors
Laura Celeste Scott, Christina A. Ahlstrom, Hanna Woksepp, Jonas Bonnedahl, Cherie Marie Mckeeman, Mark E. Miller, Dave Shirokauer, Andrew M. Ramey
Observational, virological, and serological data provide insights into an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza among wild birds on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska in 2022 Observational, virological, and serological data provide insights into an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza among wild birds on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska in 2022
In 2021–22, clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses were introduced by wild birds into North America, leading to geographically widespread disease. In response to HPAI outbreaks throughout late 2021 and early 2022, we recorded observations of sick and dead birds, estimated abundance of carcasses, collected swab and sera samples to detect viruses, and monitored...
Authors
Bryan Daniels, Erik E. Osnas, Megan Boldenow, Robert Gerlach, Christina A. Ahlstrom, Sarah Coburn, Michael J. Brook, Michael Brubaker, Julian Fischer, David N. Koons, Angela Matz, Marin Murphy, Daniel Rizzolo, Laura Celeste Scott, David R. Sinnett, Jordan M. Thompson, Juliana Lenoch, Mia Kim Torchetti, David E. Stallknecht, Rebecca L. Poulson, Andrew M. Ramey
U.S. Geological Survey science strategy to address highly pathogenic avian influenza and its effects on wildlife health 2025–29 U.S. Geological Survey science strategy to address highly pathogenic avian influenza and its effects on wildlife health 2025–29
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, Diann J. Prosser, Laura E. Hubbard, Guelaguetza Vazquez-Meves, Amy George, M. Camille Hopkins
Detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in surface water of a subarctic city Detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in surface water of a subarctic city
Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp. are globally distributed protozoan parasites that can cause gastrointestinal disease in humans and animals. These zoonotic parasites and their ecological relationships have been understudied in Alaska and elsewhere, despite being identified as priority zoonotic pathogens. We aimed to detect and characterize Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp. in waterbodies...
Authors
Christina A. Ahlstrom, Michael P. Carey, Damian M. Menning, Jonathan A. O’Donnell, Andrew M. Ramey
Development of a genotyping-in-thousands by sequencing (GT-seq) panel for identifying individuals and estimating relatedness among Alaska black bears (Ursus americanus) Development of a genotyping-in-thousands by sequencing (GT-seq) panel for identifying individuals and estimating relatedness among Alaska black bears (Ursus americanus)
The management and conservation of large mammals, such as black bears (Ursus americanus), have long been informed by genetic estimates of population size and individual dispersal. Amplicon sequencing methods, also known as ‘genotyping-in-thousands-by sequencing’ (GT-seq), now enable the efficient and cost-effective genotyping of hundreds of loci and individuals in the same sequencing run...
Authors
Eleni Leto Petrou, Colette D. Brandt, Timothy J. Spivey, Kristen M. Gruenthal, Cherie Marie Mckeeman, Sean D. Farley, David Battle, Cory Stantorf, Andrew M. Ramey
Bait trapping of waterfowl increases the environmental contamination of avian influenza virus (AIV) Bait trapping of waterfowl increases the environmental contamination of avian influenza virus (AIV)
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b has circulated in North America since late 2021, resulting in higher rates of morbidity and mortality in wild birds than observed in this region before. The objective of this study was to determine whether baiting, which is widely conducted in Canada and the United States as part of waterfowl management practices (e.g...
Authors
Cassandra Andrew, Landon McPhee, Kevin Kuchinski, Jordan Wight, Ishraq Rahman, Sarah Mansour, Gabrielle Angelo Cortez, Marzieh Kalhor, Ethan Kenmuir, Natalie Prystajecky, Kathryn Hargan, Andrew Lang, James Leafloor, Catherine Soos, Andrew M. Ramey, Chelsea Himsworth
Genomic characterization of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses from Alaska during 2022 provides evidence for genotype-specific trends of spatiotemporal and interspecies dissemination Genomic characterization of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses from Alaska during 2022 provides evidence for genotype-specific trends of spatiotemporal and interspecies dissemination
The ongoing panzootic of highly pathogenic H5 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza (HPAI) spread to North America in late 2021, with detections of HPAI viruses in Alaska beginning in April 2022. HPAI viruses have since spread across the state, affecting many species of wild birds as well as domestic poultry and wild mammals. To better understand the dissemination of HPAI viruses...
Authors
Christina A. Ahlstrom, Mia Kim Torchetti, Julianna B. Lenoch, Kimberlee Beckmen, Megan Boldenow, Evan J Buck, Bryan Daniels, Krista Dilione, Robert Gerlach, Kristina Lantz, Angela Matz, Rebecca L. Poulson, Laura Celeste Scott, Gay Sheffield, David R. Sinnett, David E. Stallknecht, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Eric B. Taylor, Alison R. Williams, Andrew M. Ramey
Molecular sexing of birds using quantitative PCR (qPCR) of sex-linked genes and logistic regression models Molecular sexing of birds using quantitative PCR (qPCR) of sex-linked genes and logistic regression models
The ability to sex individuals is an important component of many behavioural and ecological investigations and provides information for demographic models used in conservation and species management. However, many birds are difficult to sex using morphological characters or traditional molecular sexing methods. In this study, we developed probabilistic models for sexing birds using...
Authors
Eleni Leto Petrou, Laura Celeste Scott, Cherie Marie Mckeeman, Andrew M. Ramey
Environmental DNA as a tool for better understanding the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic and Pacific salmon Environmental DNA as a tool for better understanding the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic and Pacific salmon
The development and application of approaches to detect and quantify environmental DNA (eDNA) have potential to improve our understanding of the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar and Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. Here, we review 61 articles focusing on eDNA applications pertaining to salmon occupying natural habitat and aquaculture facilities in the...
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, Cherie Marie Mckeeman, Eleni Leto Petrou, Damian M. Menning, Ora L. Russ, Andres Lopez
Molecular detection and characterization of highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza viruses among hunter-harvested wild birds provides evidence for three independent introductions into Alaska Molecular detection and characterization of highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza viruses among hunter-harvested wild birds provides evidence for three independent introductions into Alaska
We detected and characterized highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses among hunter-harvested wild waterfowl inhabiting western Alaska during September–October 2022 using a molecular sequencing pipeline applied to RNA extracts derived directly from original swab samples. Genomic characterization of 10 H5 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza viruses detected with high confidence provided...
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, Laura Celeste Scott, Christina A. Ahlstrom, Evan James Buck, Alison Williams, Mia Kim Torchetti, David E. Stallknecht, Rebecca L. Poulson
The DDT-induced decline influenced genetic diversity in naturally-recovered peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) nesting within the Alaska Arctic and eastern Interior The DDT-induced decline influenced genetic diversity in naturally-recovered peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) nesting within the Alaska Arctic and eastern Interior
We assessed the influence of the severe mid-20th century population decline on genetic diversity in non-augmented peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) populations nesting within Alaska Arctic and eastern Interior. Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data were analyzed for peregrine falcons sampled from three periods: pre-decline, decline, and post-decline. The influence of the...
Authors
Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Ted Swem, Skip Ambrose, Melanie J. Flamme, Clayton M White, George K Sage, Sandra L Talbot