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Jonathan Sleeman

Jonathan Sleeman is the Center Director for the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center.

Dr. Sleeman leads a team to advance wildlife health science for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment through multidisciplinary research and technical assistance to federal, state, and tribal agencies as well as internationally as a World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Collaborating Centre. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters all on the topics of wildlife and ecosystem health. He is active in various scientific organizations, including the Wildlife Disease Association and Ecohealth International, and serves on the OIE’s Working Group on Wildlife. He is board certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine and received his veterinary degree and master’s degree in zoology from the University of Cambridge, England. Previous positions include Director of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Center in Rwanda and Wildlife Veterinarian for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Professional Experience

  • Aug. 2015 - Present Adjunct Professor, Seoul National University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul, Korea

  • Sept. 2009 - Present Adjunct Professor, Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin

  • May 2009 - Present Center Director, USGS, National Wildlife Health Center

  • March 2005 - May 2009 Wildlife Veterinarian, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

  • Sept. 2003 - Present Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee

  • Aug. 2001 - Oct. 2009 Adjunct Professor, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic and State University

  • Feb. 2001 - March 2005 Director of Veterinary Services, Wildlife Center of Virginia

  • Nov. 1997 - June 2000 Postdoctoral Fellow/Clinical Instructor, Zoological and Wildlife Medicine, Colorado State University

  • June 1997 - Feb. 1998 Interim Project Director, Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, Morris Animal Foundation

  • May 1997 - Oct. 1997 Clinical Instructor/Senior Veterinarian for Knoxville Zoo, Zoological Medicine, The University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine

  • July 1995 - April 1997 Field Director, Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Center, Kigali, Rwanda

Education and Certifications

  • 2004 Master of Arts, Zoology, Churchill College, University of Cambridge

  • 1997-2000 Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates Certification (DVM equivalency), American Veterinary Medical Association

  • 1989-1992 Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Distinction in Pathology, Microbiology and Avian Medicine), University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine

  • 1986-1989 Bachelor of Arts, Zoology (Awarded first class honours), Churchill College, University of Cambridge

  • Special Zoological Medicine Training

    1993-1995 Resident, Avian and Zoological Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee

    1992-1993 Intern, Exotic/Zoological Medicine, Coll

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 44

Future directions to manage wildlife health in a changing climate

In September 2019 The Economist wrote an obituary to Okjökull, a glacier in western Iceland that was declared “dead” in 2014, a victim of climate change. Although a few wildlife species have already incurred such a fate (e.g., the Bramble Cay melomys [Melomys rubicola]) (Fulton 2017), many more are on the path to climate-driven extinction (Andermann et al. 2020; Ceballos et al. 2015; He et al. 201
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, National Wildlife Health Center, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Management of diseases in free-ranging wildlife populations

Diseases are increasingly threatening the conservation of wildlife species. Spillover of pathogens into humans and domestic animals may negatively impact public health and the economy, requiring increased proactive management actions. The North American Wildlife Management Model provides the philosophical basis for managing wildlife and underpins all management options. Diseases in wildlife pop
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Leading change with diverse stakeholders

The shift to holistic approaches to managing wildlife health, and the complex landscape of partners and stakeholders, has led to a focus on the development of leadership skills in addition to technical expertise. This chapter introduces key elements and core skills for successful cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary leadership that will help wildlife health practitioners effectively lead change to
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Evaluating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to bats in the context of wildlife research, rehabilitation, and control

Preventing wildlife disease outbreaks is a priority for natural resource agencies, and management decisions can be urgent, especially in epidemic circumstances. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, wildlife agencies were concerned whether the activities they authorize might increase the risk of viral transmission from humans to North American bats, but had a limited amount of time in which to make de
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an emerging disease threat to wild birds in North America

Prior to the emergence of the A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 (Gs/GD) H5N1 influenza A virus, the long-held and well-supported paradigm was that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks were restricted to poultry, the result of cross-species transmission of precursor viruses from wild aquatic birds that subsequently gained pathogenicity in domestic birds. Therefore, management agencies typicall
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Outside the box: Working with wildlife in biocontainment

Research with captive wildlife in Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2) and 3 (ABSL3) facilities is becoming increasingly necessary as emerging and re-emerging diseases involving wildlife have increasing impacts on human, animal, and environmental health. Utilizing wildlife species in a research facility often requires outside the box thinking with specialized knowledge, practices, facilities, and equi
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Implications of zoonoses from hunting and use of wildlife in North American arctic and boreal biomes: Pandemic potential, monitoring, and mitigation

The COVID-19 pandemic has re-focused attention on mechanisms that lead to zoonotic disease spillover and spread. Commercial wildlife trade, and associated markets, are recognized mechanisms for zoonotic disease emergence, resulting in a growing global conversation around reducing human disease risks from spillover associated with hunting, trade, and consumption of wild animals. These discussions a
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Risks posed by SARS‐CoV‐2 to North American bats during winter fieldwork

The virus that causes COVID‐19 likely evolved in a mammalian host, possibly Old‐World bats, before adapting to humans, raising the question of whether reverse zoonotic transmission to bats is possible. Wildlife management agencies in North America are concerned that the activities they authorize could lead to transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 to bats from humans. A rapid risk assessment conducted in Apri

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Animal reservoirs and hosts for emerging alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses

The ongoing global pandemic caused by coronavirus disease has once again demonstrated the role of the family Coronaviridae in causing human disease outbreaks. Because severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was first detected in December 2019, information on its tropism, host range, and clinical manifestations in animals is limited. Given the limited information, data from other coronaviru
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

An ecological and conservation perspective

Natural ecosystems are facing unprecedented threats which directly threaten human well-being through decreases in critical ecosystem services (IPBES 2019). The top five drivers causing the largest global impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem services include: 1) changes in land and sea use; 2) direct exploitation of organisms; 3) climate change; 4) pollution, and 5) invasive alien species (IPBES 2
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Possibility for reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to free-ranging wildlife: A case study of bats

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the substantial public health, economic, and societal consequences of virus spillover from a wildlife reservoir. Widespread human transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) also presents a new set of challenges when considering viral spillover from people to naïve wildlife and other animal populations. The establishment of new wild
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Fort Collins Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis

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
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Sleeman, J. M., Cristol, D. A., White, A. E., Evers, D. C., Gerhold, R. W. & Keel, M. K. Mercury poisoning in a North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2010, 46(3): 1035-1039.
Sleeman, J. M., Magura, K., Rohm, J. H., Howell, J. & Murphy, L. A. Hepatic mineral values of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Virginia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2010, 46(2): 525-531.
Sleeman, J. M., Howell, J. E., Knox, W. M., & Stenger, P. J. Incidence of hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer is associated with winter and summer climatic conditions. EcoHealth. 2009, 6(1): 11-15.
Sleeman, J. M., Manning, E. J. B., Rohm, J. H., Sims J. P, Sanchez, S., Gerhold, R. W. & Keel, M. K. Johne’s disease in a free-ranging white-tailed deer from Virginia and subsequent surveillance for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2009, 45(1): 201-206.
Sleeman, J. M., Brown, J. D, Steffen, D., Jones, D., Robertson, J. & Holladay, S. Relationships among aural abscesses, organochlorine compounds and vitamin A in free-ranging eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2008, 44(4): 922-929.
Kroenlein, K. R, Sleeman, J. M., Holladay, S., Brown, J. D., Joyner, P. H., Griffin, M., Saunders, G. & Smith, S. A. Inability to induce tympanic squamous metaplasia using organochlorine compounds in vitamin A deficient red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2008, 44(3): 664-669.
Joyner, P. H., Jones, M. P., Ward, D., Gompf, R. E., Zagaya, N. & Sleeman, J. M. Induction and recovery characteristics and cardiopulmonary effects of sevoflurane and isoflurane in bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). American Journal of Veterinary Research. 2008, 69(1): 13-22.
Harris, M. C. & Sleeman, J. M. Morbidity and mortality of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, 1993-2003. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2007, 38(1): 62-66.
Joyner, P. H., Brown, J. D., Holladay, S. & Sleeman, J. M. Characterization of the bacterial microflora of the tympanic cavity of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) with and without aural abscesses. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2006, 42(4): 859-864.
Joyner, P. H., Shreve, A. A., Spahr, J., Fountain, A. L. & Sleeman, J. M. Phaeohyphomycosis in a free-living eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2006, 42(4): 883-888.
Joyner, P. H., Kelly, S., Shreve, A. A., Snead, S. E., Sleeman, J. M. & Pettit, D. A. West Nile virus in raptors from Virginia during 2003: Clinical, diagnostic and epidemiologic findings. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2006, 42(2): 335-344.
Feldman, S. H., Wimsatt, J., Marchang, R. E., Johnson, A. J., Brown, W., Mitchell, J. & Sleeman, J. M. Novel mycoplasma associated with upper respiratory disease syndrome in free-ranging eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) in Virginia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2006, 42(2): 279-289.
Steen, D. A., Aresco, M. J., Beilke, S. G., Compton, B. W., Condon, E. P., Dodd, Jr., C. K., Forrester, H., Gibbons, J. W., Greene, J. L., Johnson, G., Langen, T. A., Oldham, M. J., Oxier, D. N., Saumure, R. A., Schueler, F. W., Sleeman, J. M., Smith, L.L., Tucker J. K. & Gibbs. J. P. Relative vulnerability of female turtles to road mortality. Animal Conservation. 2006, 9: 269-273.
Adams, C. J., Feldman, S. H. & Sleeman, J. M. Phylogenetic analysis of avian poxviruses among free-ranging birds of Virginia. Avian Diseases. 2005, 49: 601-605.
Sleeman, J. M. Disease risk assessment of African great apes using Geographic Information Systems. EcoHealth. 2005, 2 (3): 222-227.
Richards, J. M., Brown, J. D., Kelly, T. R., Fountain, A. T. & Sleeman, J. M. Absence of detectable Salmonella shedding in free-living reptiles upon admission to the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2004, 35(4): 562-563.
Brown, J. D., Richards, J. M., Robertson, J., Holladay, S. & Sleeman, J. M. Pathology of aural abscesses in free-living eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2004, 40(4): 704-712.
Kelly, T. R., Sleeman, J. M. & Wrangham, R. Urinalysis in free-living chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) from Kibale National Park, Uganda. The Veterinary Record. 2004, 154(4): 729-730.
Brown, J. D., Sleeman, J. M. & Elvinger, F. Epidemiologic determinants of aural abscessation in free-living eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) from Virginia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2003, 39(4): 918-921.
Sleeman, J. M., Clyde, V. L., Finnegan, M. V., Ramsay, E. C. & Shires, M. Mammary botryomycosis and mastectomy in an African elephant (Loxodonta africana). The Veterinary Record. 2003, 152(2): 54-55.
Guerrera, W., Sleeman, J. M., Ssebide, B. J., Pace, L., Ichinose, T. Y. & Reif, J. S. Medical survey of the local human population to determine possible health risks to the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda. International Journal of Primatology. 2003, 24(1): 197-207.
Adams, H. R., Sleeman, J. M., Rwego, I. B. & New. J. C. Self-reported medical survey of humans as a measure of health risk to the chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthhii) of Kibale National Park, Uganda. Oryx-The International Journal of Conservation. 2001, 35(4): 308-312.
Moresco, A., Larsen, R. S., Sleeman, J. M., Wild, M. A. & Gaynor, J. S. Use of naloxone to reverse carfentanil citrate-induced hypoxemia and cardiopulmonary depression in Rocky Mountain wapiti (Cervus elaphus nelsoni). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2001, 32(1): 81-89.
Sleeman, J. M., Keane, J. M., Johnson, J. S., Brown, R. J. & VandeWoude, S. Feline leukemia virus in a captive bobcat. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2001, 37(1): 194-200.
Sleeman, J. M., Meader, L. L., Mudakikwa, A. B., Foster, J. W. & Patton, S. Gastrointestinal parasites of mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) from the Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2000, 31(3): 322-328.
Kearns, K. S., Sleeman, J. M., Frank, L. A., Munson, L. Zinc-responsive dermatosis in red wolves (Canis rufus). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2000, 31(2): 255-258.
Sleeman, J. M. & Gaynor, J. Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of medetomidine and reversal with atipamezole in desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2000, 31(1): 28-35.
Sleeman, J. M., Cameron, K., Mudakikwa, A. B., Nizeyi, J-B., Anderson, S., Cooper, J. E., Hastings, B., Foster, J. W., Macfie, E. J. & Richardson, H. M. Field anesthesia of free-living mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) from the Virunga Volcano region, central Africa. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2000, 31(1): 9-14.
Sleeman, J. M. & Widdowson, M-A. Haematological reference values for East African wild ungulates. Research in Veterinary Science. 1993, 54: 261-263.

**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.

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Gray sphere surrounded by red spikes on outer surface of virus.

SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife

As SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, continues to spread globally, questions have emerged about the potential for humans to transmit the virus to North American wildlife, its potential effects on native wildlife populations, and the resultant possibility and consequences of establishing a persistent wildlife reservoir. Recent studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 in escaped or wild...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife

As SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, continues to spread globally, questions have emerged about the potential for humans to transmit the virus to North American wildlife, its potential effects on native wildlife populations, and the resultant possibility and consequences of establishing a persistent wildlife reservoir. Recent studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 in escaped or wild...
Learn More
link
A Northern Fulmar flying in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska

International Reporting of Wildlife Diseases of Interest

Reporting of wildlife diseases is important to build situational awareness regarding wildlife health, build national and global knowledge capacity, increase coordination among agencies, and integrate wildlife health data into other surveillance frameworks.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fish & Wildlife Disease (unpublished), National Wildlife Health Center
link

International Reporting of Wildlife Diseases of Interest

Reporting of wildlife diseases is important to build situational awareness regarding wildlife health, build national and global knowledge capacity, increase coordination among agencies, and integrate wildlife health data into other surveillance frameworks.
Learn More
link
A songbird sitting on a bush

NWHC Historical Timeline

Historical timeline of the work performed by the USGS National Wildlife Health Center from 1973 to 2004.
By
National Wildlife Health Center
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NWHC Historical Timeline

Historical timeline of the work performed by the USGS National Wildlife Health Center from 1973 to 2004.
Learn More
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New study finds SARS-CoV-2 infection in escaped mink in Utah

Evidence of infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been found in escaped farmed mink in Utah, according to a new study...

Read Article
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National Wildlife Health Center co-sponsors Climate Change and Wildlife Health Workshop

On January 7-9, 2020, the USGS Northeast Climate Adaption Science Center and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center sponsored a Climate Change and...

Read Article
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Project Examines Emerging Challenges Related to Climate Change, Disease, and Wildlife Health

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, in partnership with the USGS Climate Adaptation Science Center Network, is leading a one-year project to...

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USGS Statement Regarding Avian Flu Found in Washington State Green-Winged Teal

Some media are reporting that the Asian H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza has now entered the United States. This is incorrect.
Read Article

Science and Products

  • Publications
    Filter Total Items: 44

    Future directions to manage wildlife health in a changing climate

    In September 2019 The Economist wrote an obituary to Okjökull, a glacier in western Iceland that was declared “dead” in 2014, a victim of climate change. Although a few wildlife species have already incurred such a fate (e.g., the Bramble Cay melomys [Melomys rubicola]) (Fulton 2017), many more are on the path to climate-driven extinction (Andermann et al. 2020; Ceballos et al. 2015; He et al. 201
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, National Wildlife Health Center, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

    Management of diseases in free-ranging wildlife populations

    Diseases are increasingly threatening the conservation of wildlife species. Spillover of pathogens into humans and domestic animals may negatively impact public health and the economy, requiring increased proactive management actions. The North American Wildlife Management Model provides the philosophical basis for managing wildlife and underpins all management options. Diseases in wildlife pop
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

    Leading change with diverse stakeholders

    The shift to holistic approaches to managing wildlife health, and the complex landscape of partners and stakeholders, has led to a focus on the development of leadership skills in addition to technical expertise. This chapter introduces key elements and core skills for successful cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary leadership that will help wildlife health practitioners effectively lead change to
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

    Evaluating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to bats in the context of wildlife research, rehabilitation, and control

    Preventing wildlife disease outbreaks is a priority for natural resource agencies, and management decisions can be urgent, especially in epidemic circumstances. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, wildlife agencies were concerned whether the activities they authorize might increase the risk of viral transmission from humans to North American bats, but had a limited amount of time in which to make de
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center

    Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an emerging disease threat to wild birds in North America

    Prior to the emergence of the A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 (Gs/GD) H5N1 influenza A virus, the long-held and well-supported paradigm was that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks were restricted to poultry, the result of cross-species transmission of precursor viruses from wild aquatic birds that subsequently gained pathogenicity in domestic birds. Therefore, management agencies typicall
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center

    Outside the box: Working with wildlife in biocontainment

    Research with captive wildlife in Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2) and 3 (ABSL3) facilities is becoming increasingly necessary as emerging and re-emerging diseases involving wildlife have increasing impacts on human, animal, and environmental health. Utilizing wildlife species in a research facility often requires outside the box thinking with specialized knowledge, practices, facilities, and equi
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

    Implications of zoonoses from hunting and use of wildlife in North American arctic and boreal biomes: Pandemic potential, monitoring, and mitigation

    The COVID-19 pandemic has re-focused attention on mechanisms that lead to zoonotic disease spillover and spread. Commercial wildlife trade, and associated markets, are recognized mechanisms for zoonotic disease emergence, resulting in a growing global conversation around reducing human disease risks from spillover associated with hunting, trade, and consumption of wild animals. These discussions a
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

    Risks posed by SARS‐CoV‐2 to North American bats during winter fieldwork

    The virus that causes COVID‐19 likely evolved in a mammalian host, possibly Old‐World bats, before adapting to humans, raising the question of whether reverse zoonotic transmission to bats is possible. Wildlife management agencies in North America are concerned that the activities they authorize could lead to transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 to bats from humans. A rapid risk assessment conducted in Apri

    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

    Animal reservoirs and hosts for emerging alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses

    The ongoing global pandemic caused by coronavirus disease has once again demonstrated the role of the family Coronaviridae in causing human disease outbreaks. Because severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was first detected in December 2019, information on its tropism, host range, and clinical manifestations in animals is limited. Given the limited information, data from other coronaviru
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

    An ecological and conservation perspective

    Natural ecosystems are facing unprecedented threats which directly threaten human well-being through decreases in critical ecosystem services (IPBES 2019). The top five drivers causing the largest global impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem services include: 1) changes in land and sea use; 2) direct exploitation of organisms; 3) climate change; 4) pollution, and 5) invasive alien species (IPBES 2
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

    Possibility for reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to free-ranging wildlife: A case study of bats

    The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the substantial public health, economic, and societal consequences of virus spillover from a wildlife reservoir. Widespread human transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) also presents a new set of challenges when considering viral spillover from people to naïve wildlife and other animal populations. The establishment of new wild
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Fort Collins Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis

    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
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

    Non-USGS Publications**

    Sleeman, J. M., Cristol, D. A., White, A. E., Evers, D. C., Gerhold, R. W. & Keel, M. K. Mercury poisoning in a North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2010, 46(3): 1035-1039.
    Sleeman, J. M., Magura, K., Rohm, J. H., Howell, J. & Murphy, L. A. Hepatic mineral values of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Virginia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2010, 46(2): 525-531.
    Sleeman, J. M., Howell, J. E., Knox, W. M., & Stenger, P. J. Incidence of hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer is associated with winter and summer climatic conditions. EcoHealth. 2009, 6(1): 11-15.
    Sleeman, J. M., Manning, E. J. B., Rohm, J. H., Sims J. P, Sanchez, S., Gerhold, R. W. & Keel, M. K. Johne’s disease in a free-ranging white-tailed deer from Virginia and subsequent surveillance for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2009, 45(1): 201-206.
    Sleeman, J. M., Brown, J. D, Steffen, D., Jones, D., Robertson, J. & Holladay, S. Relationships among aural abscesses, organochlorine compounds and vitamin A in free-ranging eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2008, 44(4): 922-929.
    Kroenlein, K. R, Sleeman, J. M., Holladay, S., Brown, J. D., Joyner, P. H., Griffin, M., Saunders, G. & Smith, S. A. Inability to induce tympanic squamous metaplasia using organochlorine compounds in vitamin A deficient red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2008, 44(3): 664-669.
    Joyner, P. H., Jones, M. P., Ward, D., Gompf, R. E., Zagaya, N. & Sleeman, J. M. Induction and recovery characteristics and cardiopulmonary effects of sevoflurane and isoflurane in bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). American Journal of Veterinary Research. 2008, 69(1): 13-22.
    Harris, M. C. & Sleeman, J. M. Morbidity and mortality of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, 1993-2003. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2007, 38(1): 62-66.
    Joyner, P. H., Brown, J. D., Holladay, S. & Sleeman, J. M. Characterization of the bacterial microflora of the tympanic cavity of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) with and without aural abscesses. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2006, 42(4): 859-864.
    Joyner, P. H., Shreve, A. A., Spahr, J., Fountain, A. L. & Sleeman, J. M. Phaeohyphomycosis in a free-living eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2006, 42(4): 883-888.
    Joyner, P. H., Kelly, S., Shreve, A. A., Snead, S. E., Sleeman, J. M. & Pettit, D. A. West Nile virus in raptors from Virginia during 2003: Clinical, diagnostic and epidemiologic findings. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2006, 42(2): 335-344.
    Feldman, S. H., Wimsatt, J., Marchang, R. E., Johnson, A. J., Brown, W., Mitchell, J. & Sleeman, J. M. Novel mycoplasma associated with upper respiratory disease syndrome in free-ranging eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) in Virginia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2006, 42(2): 279-289.
    Steen, D. A., Aresco, M. J., Beilke, S. G., Compton, B. W., Condon, E. P., Dodd, Jr., C. K., Forrester, H., Gibbons, J. W., Greene, J. L., Johnson, G., Langen, T. A., Oldham, M. J., Oxier, D. N., Saumure, R. A., Schueler, F. W., Sleeman, J. M., Smith, L.L., Tucker J. K. & Gibbs. J. P. Relative vulnerability of female turtles to road mortality. Animal Conservation. 2006, 9: 269-273.
    Adams, C. J., Feldman, S. H. & Sleeman, J. M. Phylogenetic analysis of avian poxviruses among free-ranging birds of Virginia. Avian Diseases. 2005, 49: 601-605.
    Sleeman, J. M. Disease risk assessment of African great apes using Geographic Information Systems. EcoHealth. 2005, 2 (3): 222-227.
    Richards, J. M., Brown, J. D., Kelly, T. R., Fountain, A. T. & Sleeman, J. M. Absence of detectable Salmonella shedding in free-living reptiles upon admission to the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2004, 35(4): 562-563.
    Brown, J. D., Richards, J. M., Robertson, J., Holladay, S. & Sleeman, J. M. Pathology of aural abscesses in free-living eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2004, 40(4): 704-712.
    Kelly, T. R., Sleeman, J. M. & Wrangham, R. Urinalysis in free-living chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) from Kibale National Park, Uganda. The Veterinary Record. 2004, 154(4): 729-730.
    Brown, J. D., Sleeman, J. M. & Elvinger, F. Epidemiologic determinants of aural abscessation in free-living eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) from Virginia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2003, 39(4): 918-921.
    Sleeman, J. M., Clyde, V. L., Finnegan, M. V., Ramsay, E. C. & Shires, M. Mammary botryomycosis and mastectomy in an African elephant (Loxodonta africana). The Veterinary Record. 2003, 152(2): 54-55.
    Guerrera, W., Sleeman, J. M., Ssebide, B. J., Pace, L., Ichinose, T. Y. & Reif, J. S. Medical survey of the local human population to determine possible health risks to the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda. International Journal of Primatology. 2003, 24(1): 197-207.
    Adams, H. R., Sleeman, J. M., Rwego, I. B. & New. J. C. Self-reported medical survey of humans as a measure of health risk to the chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthhii) of Kibale National Park, Uganda. Oryx-The International Journal of Conservation. 2001, 35(4): 308-312.
    Moresco, A., Larsen, R. S., Sleeman, J. M., Wild, M. A. & Gaynor, J. S. Use of naloxone to reverse carfentanil citrate-induced hypoxemia and cardiopulmonary depression in Rocky Mountain wapiti (Cervus elaphus nelsoni). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2001, 32(1): 81-89.
    Sleeman, J. M., Keane, J. M., Johnson, J. S., Brown, R. J. & VandeWoude, S. Feline leukemia virus in a captive bobcat. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2001, 37(1): 194-200.
    Sleeman, J. M., Meader, L. L., Mudakikwa, A. B., Foster, J. W. & Patton, S. Gastrointestinal parasites of mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) from the Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2000, 31(3): 322-328.
    Kearns, K. S., Sleeman, J. M., Frank, L. A., Munson, L. Zinc-responsive dermatosis in red wolves (Canis rufus). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2000, 31(2): 255-258.
    Sleeman, J. M. & Gaynor, J. Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of medetomidine and reversal with atipamezole in desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2000, 31(1): 28-35.
    Sleeman, J. M., Cameron, K., Mudakikwa, A. B., Nizeyi, J-B., Anderson, S., Cooper, J. E., Hastings, B., Foster, J. W., Macfie, E. J. & Richardson, H. M. Field anesthesia of free-living mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) from the Virunga Volcano region, central Africa. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2000, 31(1): 9-14.
    Sleeman, J. M. & Widdowson, M-A. Haematological reference values for East African wild ungulates. Research in Veterinary Science. 1993, 54: 261-263.

    **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.

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    SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife

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    SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife

    As SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, continues to spread globally, questions have emerged about the potential for humans to transmit the virus to North American wildlife, its potential effects on native wildlife populations, and the resultant possibility and consequences of establishing a persistent wildlife reservoir. Recent studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 in escaped or wild...
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