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
Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus in feral horses on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, United States
Experimental challenge and pathology of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in dunlin (Calidris alpina), an intercontinental migrant shorebird species
Severe bill deformity of an American Kestrel wintering in California
Evaluation of Nobuto filter paper strips for the detection of avian influenza virus antibody in waterfowl
Occurrence of West Nile virus infection in raptors at the Salton Sea, California
Prevalence of West Nile virus in migratory birds during spring and fall migration
Surveillance for high pathogenicity avian influenza virus in wild birds in the Pacific Flyway of the United States, 2006-2007
Experimental infection of Hawai'i 'Amakihi (hemignathus virens) with West Nile virus and competence of a co-occurring vector, culex quinquefasciatus: potential impacts on endemic Hawaiian avifauna.
Molecular epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis Virus, New York
Prevalence of Influenza A viruses in wild migratory birds in Alaska: Patterns of variation in detection at a crossroads of intercontinental flyways
Evaluating red-cockaded woodpeckers for exposure to West Nile Virus and blood parasites
Prevalence of pox-like lesions and malaria in forest bird communitites on leeward Mauna Loa volcano, Hawaii
Non-USGS Publications**
https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-40.4.682
https://doi.org/10.1654/1525-2647(2002)069[0092:BPOACC]2.0.CO;2
https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620210123
**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.
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 66
Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus in feral horses on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, United States
We screened 1,397 feral horses (Equus caballus) on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, United States, for IgM and IgG against flavivirus during 2004–2006, 2008, and 2009. Positive serum samples were tested for neutralizing antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV) and St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV). One animal was positive for antibody against WNV in 2004, but all others tested in 2004–2006 wAuthorsJ. Christian Franson, Erik K. Hofmeister, Gail H. Collins, Robert J. DusekExperimental challenge and pathology of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in dunlin (Calidris alpina), an intercontinental migrant shorebird species
Background Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are considered one of the primary reservoirs of avian influenza. Because these species are highly migratory, there is concern that infected shorebirds may be a mechanism by which highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 could be introduced into North America from Asia. Large numbers of dunlin (Calidris alpina) migrate from wintering areas in centAuthorsJeffrey S. Hall, J. Christian Franson, Robert E. Gill, Carol U. Meteyer, Joshua L. TeSlaa, Sean W. Nashold, Robert J. Dusek, Hon S. IpSevere bill deformity of an American Kestrel wintering in California
During a recent survey for West Nile virus in wild birds around the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, Imperial County, California (Dusek et al. 2010), we captured a female American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) with a severe bill deformity (Figure 1). The kestrel was captured on 9 March 2006, at 08:45, approximately 0.25 km south of the intersection of Wiest and Lindsey roads (33° 08'AuthorsWilliam M. Iko, Robert J. DusekEvaluation of Nobuto filter paper strips for the detection of avian influenza virus antibody in waterfowl
The utility of using Nobuto paper strips for the detection of avian influenza antibodies was examined in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) experimentally infected with low pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Blood was collected 2 wk after infection and was preserved either as serum or whole blood absorbed onto Nobuto strips. Analysis of samples using a commercially available blocking enzyme-linked immAuthorsRobert J. Dusek, Jeffrey S. Hall, Sean W. Nashold, Joshua L. Teslaa, Hon S. IpOccurrence of West Nile virus infection in raptors at the Salton Sea, California
We investigated the prevalence of West Nile virus (WNV)-neutralizing antibodies and infectious virus, and the occurrence of overwinter transmission in two raptor species during January and March 2006 at the Salton Sea, Imperial County, California. We captured 208 American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) (January, n=100; March, n=108) and 116 Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) (January, n=52; March, nAuthorsRobert J. Dusek, William M. Iko, Erik K. HofmeisterPrevalence of West Nile virus in migratory birds during spring and fall migration
To investigate the role of migratory birds in the dissemination of West Nile virus (WNV), we measured the prevalence of infectious WNV and specific WNV neutralizing antibodies in birds, principally Passeriformes, during spring and fall migrations in the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways from 2001-2003. Blood samples were obtained from 13,403 birds, representing 133 species. Specific WNV neutralizinAuthorsRobert J. Dusek, R. G. McLean, L.D. Kramer, S. R. Ubico, A.P. Dupuis, G.D. Ebel, S.C. GuptillSurveillance for high pathogenicity avian influenza virus in wild birds in the Pacific Flyway of the United States, 2006-2007
In 2006 the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Interior, and cooperating state fish and wildlife agencies began surveillance for high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus in wild birds in the Pacific Flyway of the United States. This surveillance effort was highly integrated in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and western Montana, with collecAuthorsRobert J. Dusek, J.B. Bortner, T.J. DeLiberto, J. Hoskins, J. Christian Franson, B.D. Bales, D. Yparraguirre, S.R. Swafford, Hon S. IpExperimental infection of Hawai'i 'Amakihi (hemignathus virens) with West Nile virus and competence of a co-occurring vector, culex quinquefasciatus: potential impacts on endemic Hawaiian avifauna.
Introduced mosquito-borne avian disease is a major limiting factor in the recovery and restoration of native Hawaiian forest birds. Annual epizootics of avian pox (Avipoxvirus) and avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) likely led to the extinction of some species and continue to impact populations of susceptible Hawaiian honeycreepers (Drepanidinae). The introduction of a novel pathogen, such as WesAuthorsDennis Lapointe, Erik K. Hofmeister, C. T. Atkinson, R.E. Porter, Robert J. DusekMolecular epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis Virus, New York
Perpetuation, overwintering, and extinction of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) in northern foci are poorly understood. We therefore sought to describe the molecular epidemiology of EEEV in New York State during current and past epizootics. To determine whether EEEV overwinters, is periodically reintroduced, or both, we sequenced the E2 and partial NSP3 coding regions of 42 EEEV isolates fAuthorsDavid S. Young, Laura D. Kramer, Joseph G. Maffei, Robert J. Dusek, P. Bryon Backenson, Christopher N. Mores, Kristen A. Bernard, Gregory D. EbelPrevalence of Influenza A viruses in wild migratory birds in Alaska: Patterns of variation in detection at a crossroads of intercontinental flyways
Background. The global spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus has stimulated interest in a better understanding of the mechanisms of H5N1 dispersal, including the potential role of migratory birds as carriers. Although wild birds have been found dead during H5N1 outbreaks, evidence suggests that others have survived natural infections, and recent studies have shown several specAuthorsHon S. Ip, Paul L. Flint, J. Christian Franson, Robert J. Dusek, Dirk V. Derksen, Robert E. Gill, Craig R. Ely, John M. Pearce, Richard B. Lanctot, Steven M. Matsuoka, D.B. Irons, J.B. Fischer, R.M. Oates, Margaret R. Petersen, T.F. Fondell, D.A. Rocque, J.C. Pedersen, T.C. RotheEvaluating red-cockaded woodpeckers for exposure to West Nile Virus and blood parasites
A marked decline in the Picoides borealis (Red-cockaded Woodpecker [RCW]) population at Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, MS, was observed in 2002. Demographic changes - including absence of hatch-year birds, decreases in size of known groups, and loss of known groups-were identified during annual fall surveys and are uncharacteristic of RCW populations. In 2003, a serosurvey of 28 adult RCWs wasAuthorsRobert J. Dusek, D. Richardson, Kristina F. Egstad, Dennis M. HeiseyPrevalence of pox-like lesions and malaria in forest bird communitites on leeward Mauna Loa volcano, Hawaii
Introduced avian pox virus and malaria have had devastating impacts on native Hawaiian forest birds, yet little has been published about their prevalence and distribution in forest bird communities outside of windward Hawaii Island. We surveyed native and non-native forest birds for these two diseases at three different elevations on leeward Mauna Loa Volcano at the Kona Forest Unit of Hakalau ForAuthorsCarter T. Atkinson, Julie K. Lease, Robert J. Dusek, Michael D. SamuelNon-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/10.7589/0090-3558-40.4.682Dusek, 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;2Frederick, 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.5620210123Spalding, 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.