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Tonie Rocke

Tonie Rocke is a Research Epidemiologist at the National Wildlife Health Center.

Science and Products

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Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.

White-nose syndrome vaccine update and research on host protection mechanisms

Sixteen years after Pd, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats, was first recognized in New York, its range now extends to the Rocky Mountains, and it has been definitively detected in all but seven states (Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah). The National Wildlife Health Center and our partners continue to field test a WNS vaccine for wild bats and to research...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

White-nose syndrome vaccine update and research on host protection mechanisms

Sixteen years after Pd, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats, was first recognized in New York, its range now extends to the Rocky Mountains, and it has been definitively detected in all but seven states (Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah). The National Wildlife Health Center and our partners continue to field test a WNS vaccine for wild bats and to research...
Learn More
link
Cluster of bats on a cave wall.

Field trials for testing of white-nose syndrome vaccine candidates

White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), continues to decimate bat populations in North America, and efforts to develop treatment options have intensified. One potential method for controlling WNS is vaccination of bats with specific antigens to elicit a protective immune response.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

Field trials for testing of white-nose syndrome vaccine candidates

White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), continues to decimate bat populations in North America, and efforts to develop treatment options have intensified. One potential method for controlling WNS is vaccination of bats with specific antigens to elicit a protective immune response.
Learn More
link
Image: Black-Footed Ferret

Development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to support black-footed ferret conservation

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is known to infect and cause severe disease, such as respiratory distress and death, in mustelids, including farm-raised mink ( Mustela  lutreola  and  Neovison  vison ) and domestic ferrets ( M. putorius ). This raised concern that the virus may also pose a threat to endangered black-footed ferrets ( Mustela nigripes ) managed in captivity for breeding and recovery purposes.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

Development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to support black-footed ferret conservation

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is known to infect and cause severe disease, such as respiratory distress and death, in mustelids, including farm-raised mink ( Mustela  lutreola  and  Neovison  vison ) and domestic ferrets ( M. putorius ). This raised concern that the virus may also pose a threat to endangered black-footed ferrets ( Mustela nigripes ) managed in captivity for breeding and recovery purposes.
Learn More
link
Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) in the Shipp Room, Hellhole cave

Modeling the response of cave hibernating Myotis species to white-nose syndrome mitigation tactics

Bat Research Research collaboration: Robin Russell (NWHC), Tonie Rocke (NWHC), Wayne Thogmartin (UMESC), Evan Grant (PWRC) White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease devastating cave-hibernating bat species ( Myotis spp.) in the eastern United States. Several mitigation tactics have been proposed to alleviate the effects of white-nose syndrome on bats including probiotics and vaccination. Questions...
By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
link

Modeling the response of cave hibernating Myotis species to white-nose syndrome mitigation tactics

Bat Research Research collaboration: Robin Russell (NWHC), Tonie Rocke (NWHC), Wayne Thogmartin (UMESC), Evan Grant (PWRC) White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease devastating cave-hibernating bat species ( Myotis spp.) in the eastern United States. Several mitigation tactics have been proposed to alleviate the effects of white-nose syndrome on bats including probiotics and vaccination. Questions...
Learn More
link
Image: Plague Vaccine Bait

Vaccines

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) works on developing various disease management tools, including the development of vaccines. Our current work focuses on vaccines for sylvatic plague, white-nose syndrome, and rabies as disease control strategies.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

Vaccines

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) works on developing various disease management tools, including the development of vaccines. Our current work focuses on vaccines for sylvatic plague, white-nose syndrome, and rabies as disease control strategies.
Learn More
link
Prairie dog and SPV bait

Sylvatic Plague

Sylvatic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis , is a bacterial disease transmitted by fleas that afflicts many mammalian species, including humans.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

Sylvatic Plague

Sylvatic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis , is a bacterial disease transmitted by fleas that afflicts many mammalian species, including humans.
Learn More
link
Image: Bat with White-nose Syndrome

White-Nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern across United States at an alarming rate.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

White-Nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern across United States at an alarming rate.
Learn More
link
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.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

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.
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 14

Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus) weights and Ct values for SARS-CoV-2 Infection challenge

Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) weights and SARS-CoV2 test results were collected as part of study to assess transmission potential of SARS-CoV2 in North American bat populations. It has been proposed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus originated in Asian bats and subsequently spread through human populations as a pandemic. There is concern that infected humans could transmit the virus to native North
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Temperatures of black-tailed prairie dog burrows through the U.S. Great Plains

This data is measurements of the temperature inside prairie dog burrows. The data were recorded every half hour during May, June, and August of 2016 and 2017 in New Mexico, Colorado, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana.
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Luminescence of AG129 mice infected with recombinant Monkeypox virus expressing firefly luciferase

Adult AG129 mice (129/Sv background deficient in alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) and IFN-Ɣ receptors) were infected with recombinant Monkeypox virus (MPXV)expressing firefly luciferase by either intranasal (IN) or intraperitoneal (IP) routes. Experimental infections were conducted in a BSL-3 laboratory at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, with a clade II MPXV that expresses firefly lucifer
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Viral loads, histology, and adverse events in transgenic mice after passive transfer of serum from black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) used to assess the anti-viral efficacy of a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate

This data set provides biological information from of a captive study of transgenic mice that received either passive serum transfers from black-footed ferrets (BFFs) that were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 or BFFs that were unvaccinated, or a monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 or lastly a placebo. After these treatments mice were challenged with SARS-CoV-2. The data included here have viral l
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Experimental infection of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) with SARS-CoV-2

We experimentally challenged wild Mexican free-tailed bats (TABR) with SARS-CoV-2 to determine the susceptibility, reservoir potential, and population impacts of infection in this species. Of nine bats oronasally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2, five became infected and orally excreted moderate amounts of virus for up to 18 days post inoculation. These five subjects all seroconverted and cleared the vi
By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

In vitro expression, immunogenicity, and efficacy data from recombinant raccoon poxvirus-vectored rabies vaccine candidates tested in mice

This work is part of an experimental trial to develop and assess novel recombinant raccoonpox virus (RCN) rabies vaccines in the mouse model, for potential use in bats. Briefly, our research group previously developed a recombinant RCN vaccine candidate expressing a mosaic glycoprotein (MoG) gene that protected mice and big brown bats when challenged with rabies virus (RABV). We developed two new
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Data on Flea Parasitism and Annual Re-encounters of Utah Prairie Dogs at 5 colonies on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, 2013-2016

Data on flea parasitism and annual re-encounters of Utah prairie dogs at 5 colonies on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, June-August 2013-2016. Utah prairie dogs were live-trapped and sampled on 5 colonies along an elevation gradient from 2,645 m to 2,873 m. Upon first capture each year, we anesthetized each prairie dog and fleas on its body and combed the prairie dog as thoroughly as possible for 30
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Fleas collected from black-tailed prairie dog burrows in 2016 and 2017

The data are a list of the number and species of fleas that were collected from black-tailed prairie dog burrows in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, and New Mexico. Fleas were collected by swabbing ~100 burrows at 3 sites at each of 6 sites. Burrows were sampled twice each summer during 2016 and 2017.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Survival of prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) challenged with Yersina pestis (plague)

These data represent the number of days a prairie dog survived after challenge with highly virulent Yeresinia pestis.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Sylvatic Plague Vaccine field trials flea data

hese data were collected as part of a field trial to test the efficacy of a sylvatic plague vaccine (see Rocke et al., 2017 for details). Vaccine and control plots were selected randomly from the available sites at each location. At least 1 week and no more than 2 months post-baiting each year, local collaborators captured, marked and sampled prairie dogs for a minimum of 3 trap days. Both plots
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Impact of the oral Sylvatic Plague Vaccine on Non-target Small Rodents: Data

In 2013, a large blinded, paired placebo-controlled field trial for the prairie dog oral sylvatic plague vaccine started in the Western US. On 17 paired plots, vaccine and placebo plots, small rodents were trapped annually for 3-5 consecutive nights (when weather allowed). Up on capture, we documented the trap numbers and the processed animals. We noted standard biological information (species, se
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

SPV field trials bait uptake data

These data were collected as part of a field trial to test the effectiveness of a sylvatic plague vaccine (see Rocke et al., 2017 for details). Vaccine and control plots were selected randomly from the available pairs at each location. Baits containing Rhodamine B, a biomarker, were distributed at each plot. At least 1 week and no more than 2 months post-baiting each year, local collaborators cap
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.
Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat
Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat during a field trial.

By
Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat during a field trial.

By
Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.
Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine
Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.

Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine

Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine

A bat receiving the white-nose syndrome vaccine during a field trial to study vaccine efficacy. 

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.

Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine

Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine

A bat receiving the white-nose syndrome vaccine during a field trial to study vaccine efficacy. 

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
Blue SPV bait
Blue SPV bait
Blue SPV bait
Blue SPV bait

Blue SPV bait

Blue SPV bait

This image shows the blue version of sylvatic plague vaccine bait for prairie dogs. 

Prairie dogs in the wild are less likely to succumb to a deadly disease called sylvatic plague after they ingest peanut-butter-flavored bait that contains a vaccine against the disease.

By
Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Blue SPV bait

Blue SPV bait

Blue SPV bait

This image shows the blue version of sylvatic plague vaccine bait for prairie dogs. 

Prairie dogs in the wild are less likely to succumb to a deadly disease called sylvatic plague after they ingest peanut-butter-flavored bait that contains a vaccine against the disease.

By
Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Image: Black-footed Ferret Release
Black-footed Ferret Release
Black-footed Ferret Release
Image: Black-footed Ferret Release

Black-footed Ferret Release

Black-footed Ferret Release

An endangered black-footed ferret is released on private land in Arizona as part of a collaborative species recovery effort.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Image: Black-footed Ferret Release

Black-footed Ferret Release

Black-footed Ferret Release

An endangered black-footed ferret is released on private land in Arizona as part of a collaborative species recovery effort.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Prairie dog and SPV bait
Prairie dog and SPV bait
Prairie dog and SPV bait
Prairie dog and SPV bait

Prairie dog and SPV bait

Prairie dog and SPV bait

In this image, a Gunnison prairie dog eats a bait laden with the sylvatic plague vaccine. Prairie dogs in the wild are less likely to succumb to plague after they ingest peanut-butter-flavored bait that contains a vaccine against the disease.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Prairie dog and SPV bait

Prairie dog and SPV bait

Prairie dog and SPV bait

In this image, a Gunnison prairie dog eats a bait laden with the sylvatic plague vaccine. Prairie dogs in the wild are less likely to succumb to plague after they ingest peanut-butter-flavored bait that contains a vaccine against the disease.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Filter Total Items: 131

3Density estimation using spatial capture-recapture analyses: Application to vaccination of prairie dogs against sylvatic plague

Prairie dogs are notoriously difficult to enumerate, with previously methods including visual counts, mark-resight, burrow counts, and catch per unit effort. Unlike those methods, spatial capture-recapture (SCR) analyses allow for formal estimation of density along with associated estimates of uncertainty, detection probability, and the size of the average area over which an individual was detecte
Authors
Robin E. Russell, Dan W. Tripp, Katherine Richgels, Tonie E. Rocke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) are resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection

It has been proposed that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus that spread through human populations as a pandemic originated in Asian bats. There is concern that infected humans could transmit the virus to native North American bats; therefore, the susceptibility of several North American bat species to the pandemic virus has been experimentally assessed. Big bro
Authors
Jeffrey S. Hall, Sean Nashold, Erik K. Hofmeister, Ariel Elizabeth Leon, Elizabeth Falendysz, Hon S. Ip, Carly M. Malave, Tonie E. Rocke, Mariano Carossino, Udeni B.R. Balasuriya, Susan Knowles
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Developing transmissible vaccines for animal infections

Many emerging and reemerging pathogens originate from wildlife, but nearly all wild species are unreachable using conventional vaccination, which requires capture of and vaccine administration to individual animals. By enabling immunization at scales sufficient to interrupt pathogen transmission, transmissible vaccines (TVs) that spread themselves through wildlife populations by infectious process
Authors
Daniel G. Streicker, Megan E. Griffiths, Rustom Antia, Laura M. Bergner, Peter Bowman, Maria Vitoria dos Santos de Moraes, Kevin Esvelt, Mike Famulare, Amy T. Gilbert, Biao He, Michael A. Jarvis, David A. Kennedy, Jennifer Kuzma, Carolyne Nasimiyu Wanyonyi, Christopher Remien, Kyle Rosenke, Tonie E. Rocke, Courtney Schreiner, Justin Sheen, David Simons, Ivet A. Yordanova, James J. Bull, Scott L. Nuismer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Prairie dog responses to vector control and vaccination during an initial Yersinia pestis invasion

We evaluated the invasion of plague bacteria Yersinia pestis into a population of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus; BTPDs) in South Dakota. We aimed to ascertain if Y. pestis invaded slowly or rapidly, and to determine if vector (flea) control or vaccination of BTPDs assisted in increasing survival rates. We sampled BTPDs in 2007 (before Y. pestis documentation), 2008 (year of confi
Authors
David A. Eads, Dean E. Biggins, Shantini Ramakrishnan, Amanda R. Goldberg, Samantha L. Eads, Tonie E. Rocke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Incorporating environmental heterogeneity and observation effort to predict host distribution and viral spillover from a bat reservoir

Predicting the spatial occurrence of wildlife is a major challenge for ecology and management. In Latin America, limited knowledge of the number and locations of vampire bat roosts precludes informed allocation of measures intended to prevent rabies spillover to humans and livestock. We inferred the spatial distribution of vampire bat roosts while accounting for observation effort and environmenta
Authors
Rita Ribeiro, Jason Matthiopoulos, Finn Lindgre, Carlos Tello, Carlos M. Zariquiey, William Valderrama, Tonie E. Rocke, Daniel G. Streicker
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Managing an ongoing threat: Bats and white-nose syndrome

No abstract available.
Authors
Tricia Lynn Fry, Amy Haeseler, Anne Ballmann, Tonie E. Rocke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Management of vampire bats and rabies: Past, present, and future

Rabies virus transmitted via the bite of common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) has surpassed canine-associated cases as the predominant cause of human rabies in Latin America. Cattle, the preferred prey of D. rotundus, suffer extensive mortality from vampire bat associated rabies, with annual financial losses estimated in the tens of millions of dollars. Organized attempts to manage or curtail v
Authors
Tonie E. Rocke, Daniel G. Streicker, Ariel Elizabeth Leon
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Monkeypox virus in animals: Current knowledge of viral transmission and pathogenesis in wild animal reservoirs and captive animal models

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is now the most serious orthopoxvirus (OPXV) infection in humans. This zoonotic disease has been gradually re-emerging in humans with an increasing frequency of cases found in endemic areas, as well as an escalating frequency and size of epidemics outside of endemic areas in Africa. Currently, the largest known mpox epidemic is spreading throughout the world, with
Authors
Elizabeth Falendysz, Juan G. Lopera, Tonie E. Rocke, Jorge E. Osorio
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Sex-biased infections scale to population impacts for an emerging wildlife disease

Demographic factors are fundamental in shaping infectious disease dynamics. Aspects of populations that create structure, like age and sex, can affect patterns of transmission, infection intensity and population outcomes. However, studies rarely link these processes from individual to population-scale effects. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying demographic differences in disease are frequently un
Authors
Macy J. Kailing, Joseph R. Hoyt, J. Paul White, Heather M. Kaarakka, Jennifer A. Redell, Ariel Elizabeth Leon, Tonie E. Rocke, John E. DePue, William H. Scullon, Katy L. Parise, Jeffrey T. Foster, A. Marm Kilpatrick, Kate E. Langwig
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Experimental infection of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) with SARS-CoV-2

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is thought to have originated in wild bats from Asia, and as the resulting pandemic continues into its third year, concerns have been raised that the virus will expand its host range and infect North American wildlife species, including bats. Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) live in large colonies in the souther
Authors
Jeffrey S. Hall, Erik K. Hofmeister, Hon S. Ip, Sean Nashold, Ariel Elizabeth Leon, Carly Marie Malave, Elizabeth Falendysz, Tonie E. Rocke, M. Carossino, U. Balasuriya, Susan Knowles
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Plague and distemper: Threats to black-footed ferret conservation

No abstract available.
Authors
Tonie E. Rocke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Immunogenicity, safety, and anti-viral efficacy of a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate in captive black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) and their susceptibility to viral challenge

A preliminary vaccination trial against the emergent pathogen, SARS-CoV-2, was completed in captive black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes; BFF) to assess safety, immunogenicity, and anti-viral efficacy. Vaccination and boosting of 15 BFF with purified SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit protein produced a nearly 150-fold increase in mean antibody titers compared to pre-vaccination titers. Serum antibody respon
Authors
Ariel Elizabeth Leon, Della Garelle, Airn Hartwig, Elizabeth Falendysz, Hon S. Ip, Julia S. Lankton, Tyler Tretten, Terry Spraker, Richard Bowen, Tonie E. Rocke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
USGS Friday's Findings - October 25, 2024

USGS Friday's Findings - October 25, 2024

Title:  The use of vaccination to mitigate white-nose syndrome in bats 

Date:  October 25, 2024, at 2:00-2:30 pm Eastern/11:00 -11:30 am Pacific 

Speake...

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White-nose syndrome surveillance and research updates

White-nose syndrome surveillance and research updates

Updates on white-nose syndrome surveillance and research from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Fall 2019.

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Vaccination May Help Protect Bats from Deadly Disease

Vaccination May Help Protect Bats from Deadly Disease

A new study shows that vaccination may reduce the impact of white-nose syndrome in bats, marking a milestone in the international fight against one of...

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Taking the Bait: Majority of Prairie Dogs Are Consuming Plague Vaccine

Taking the Bait: Majority of Prairie Dogs Are Consuming Plague Vaccine

About 70 percent of wild prairie dogs successfully ingested baits containing an oral sylvatic plague vaccine, or SPV, that were distributed throughout...

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Plague vaccine helps reduce outbreaks in prairie dog colonies

Plague vaccine helps reduce outbreaks in prairie dog colonies

Prairie dogs in the wild are less likely to succumb to plague after they ingest peanut-butter-flavored bait that contains a vaccine against the...

Read Article

Science and Products

link
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.

White-nose syndrome vaccine update and research on host protection mechanisms

Sixteen years after Pd, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats, was first recognized in New York, its range now extends to the Rocky Mountains, and it has been definitively detected in all but seven states (Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah). The National Wildlife Health Center and our partners continue to field test a WNS vaccine for wild bats and to research...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

White-nose syndrome vaccine update and research on host protection mechanisms

Sixteen years after Pd, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats, was first recognized in New York, its range now extends to the Rocky Mountains, and it has been definitively detected in all but seven states (Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah). The National Wildlife Health Center and our partners continue to field test a WNS vaccine for wild bats and to research...
Learn More
link
Cluster of bats on a cave wall.

Field trials for testing of white-nose syndrome vaccine candidates

White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), continues to decimate bat populations in North America, and efforts to develop treatment options have intensified. One potential method for controlling WNS is vaccination of bats with specific antigens to elicit a protective immune response.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

Field trials for testing of white-nose syndrome vaccine candidates

White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), continues to decimate bat populations in North America, and efforts to develop treatment options have intensified. One potential method for controlling WNS is vaccination of bats with specific antigens to elicit a protective immune response.
Learn More
link
Image: Black-Footed Ferret

Development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to support black-footed ferret conservation

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is known to infect and cause severe disease, such as respiratory distress and death, in mustelids, including farm-raised mink ( Mustela  lutreola  and  Neovison  vison ) and domestic ferrets ( M. putorius ). This raised concern that the virus may also pose a threat to endangered black-footed ferrets ( Mustela nigripes ) managed in captivity for breeding and recovery purposes.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

Development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to support black-footed ferret conservation

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is known to infect and cause severe disease, such as respiratory distress and death, in mustelids, including farm-raised mink ( Mustela  lutreola  and  Neovison  vison ) and domestic ferrets ( M. putorius ). This raised concern that the virus may also pose a threat to endangered black-footed ferrets ( Mustela nigripes ) managed in captivity for breeding and recovery purposes.
Learn More
link
Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) in the Shipp Room, Hellhole cave

Modeling the response of cave hibernating Myotis species to white-nose syndrome mitigation tactics

Bat Research Research collaboration: Robin Russell (NWHC), Tonie Rocke (NWHC), Wayne Thogmartin (UMESC), Evan Grant (PWRC) White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease devastating cave-hibernating bat species ( Myotis spp.) in the eastern United States. Several mitigation tactics have been proposed to alleviate the effects of white-nose syndrome on bats including probiotics and vaccination. Questions...
By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
link

Modeling the response of cave hibernating Myotis species to white-nose syndrome mitigation tactics

Bat Research Research collaboration: Robin Russell (NWHC), Tonie Rocke (NWHC), Wayne Thogmartin (UMESC), Evan Grant (PWRC) White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease devastating cave-hibernating bat species ( Myotis spp.) in the eastern United States. Several mitigation tactics have been proposed to alleviate the effects of white-nose syndrome on bats including probiotics and vaccination. Questions...
Learn More
link
Image: Plague Vaccine Bait

Vaccines

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) works on developing various disease management tools, including the development of vaccines. Our current work focuses on vaccines for sylvatic plague, white-nose syndrome, and rabies as disease control strategies.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

Vaccines

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) works on developing various disease management tools, including the development of vaccines. Our current work focuses on vaccines for sylvatic plague, white-nose syndrome, and rabies as disease control strategies.
Learn More
link
Prairie dog and SPV bait

Sylvatic Plague

Sylvatic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis , is a bacterial disease transmitted by fleas that afflicts many mammalian species, including humans.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

Sylvatic Plague

Sylvatic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis , is a bacterial disease transmitted by fleas that afflicts many mammalian species, including humans.
Learn More
link
Image: Bat with White-nose Syndrome

White-Nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern across United States at an alarming rate.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

White-Nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern across United States at an alarming rate.
Learn More
link
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.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
link

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.
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 14

Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus) weights and Ct values for SARS-CoV-2 Infection challenge

Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) weights and SARS-CoV2 test results were collected as part of study to assess transmission potential of SARS-CoV2 in North American bat populations. It has been proposed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus originated in Asian bats and subsequently spread through human populations as a pandemic. There is concern that infected humans could transmit the virus to native North
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Temperatures of black-tailed prairie dog burrows through the U.S. Great Plains

This data is measurements of the temperature inside prairie dog burrows. The data were recorded every half hour during May, June, and August of 2016 and 2017 in New Mexico, Colorado, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana.
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Luminescence of AG129 mice infected with recombinant Monkeypox virus expressing firefly luciferase

Adult AG129 mice (129/Sv background deficient in alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) and IFN-Ɣ receptors) were infected with recombinant Monkeypox virus (MPXV)expressing firefly luciferase by either intranasal (IN) or intraperitoneal (IP) routes. Experimental infections were conducted in a BSL-3 laboratory at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, with a clade II MPXV that expresses firefly lucifer
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Viral loads, histology, and adverse events in transgenic mice after passive transfer of serum from black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) used to assess the anti-viral efficacy of a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate

This data set provides biological information from of a captive study of transgenic mice that received either passive serum transfers from black-footed ferrets (BFFs) that were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 or BFFs that were unvaccinated, or a monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 or lastly a placebo. After these treatments mice were challenged with SARS-CoV-2. The data included here have viral l
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Experimental infection of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) with SARS-CoV-2

We experimentally challenged wild Mexican free-tailed bats (TABR) with SARS-CoV-2 to determine the susceptibility, reservoir potential, and population impacts of infection in this species. Of nine bats oronasally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2, five became infected and orally excreted moderate amounts of virus for up to 18 days post inoculation. These five subjects all seroconverted and cleared the vi
By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

In vitro expression, immunogenicity, and efficacy data from recombinant raccoon poxvirus-vectored rabies vaccine candidates tested in mice

This work is part of an experimental trial to develop and assess novel recombinant raccoonpox virus (RCN) rabies vaccines in the mouse model, for potential use in bats. Briefly, our research group previously developed a recombinant RCN vaccine candidate expressing a mosaic glycoprotein (MoG) gene that protected mice and big brown bats when challenged with rabies virus (RABV). We developed two new
By
National Wildlife Health Center

Data on Flea Parasitism and Annual Re-encounters of Utah Prairie Dogs at 5 colonies on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, 2013-2016

Data on flea parasitism and annual re-encounters of Utah prairie dogs at 5 colonies on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, June-August 2013-2016. Utah prairie dogs were live-trapped and sampled on 5 colonies along an elevation gradient from 2,645 m to 2,873 m. Upon first capture each year, we anesthetized each prairie dog and fleas on its body and combed the prairie dog as thoroughly as possible for 30
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Fleas collected from black-tailed prairie dog burrows in 2016 and 2017

The data are a list of the number and species of fleas that were collected from black-tailed prairie dog burrows in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, and New Mexico. Fleas were collected by swabbing ~100 burrows at 3 sites at each of 6 sites. Burrows were sampled twice each summer during 2016 and 2017.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Survival of prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) challenged with Yersina pestis (plague)

These data represent the number of days a prairie dog survived after challenge with highly virulent Yeresinia pestis.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Sylvatic Plague Vaccine field trials flea data

hese data were collected as part of a field trial to test the efficacy of a sylvatic plague vaccine (see Rocke et al., 2017 for details). Vaccine and control plots were selected randomly from the available sites at each location. At least 1 week and no more than 2 months post-baiting each year, local collaborators captured, marked and sampled prairie dogs for a minimum of 3 trap days. Both plots
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Impact of the oral Sylvatic Plague Vaccine on Non-target Small Rodents: Data

In 2013, a large blinded, paired placebo-controlled field trial for the prairie dog oral sylvatic plague vaccine started in the Western US. On 17 paired plots, vaccine and placebo plots, small rodents were trapped annually for 3-5 consecutive nights (when weather allowed). Up on capture, we documented the trap numbers and the processed animals. We noted standard biological information (species, se
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

SPV field trials bait uptake data

These data were collected as part of a field trial to test the effectiveness of a sylvatic plague vaccine (see Rocke et al., 2017 for details). Vaccine and control plots were selected randomly from the available pairs at each location. Baits containing Rhodamine B, a biomarker, were distributed at each plot. At least 1 week and no more than 2 months post-baiting each year, local collaborators cap
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.
Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat
Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat during a field trial.

By
Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat

Administering the white-nose syndrome vaccine to a bat during a field trial.

By
Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center, National Wildlife Health Center
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.
Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine
Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.

Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine

Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine

A bat receiving the white-nose syndrome vaccine during a field trial to study vaccine efficacy. 

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.

Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine

Bat receiving white-nose syndrome vaccine

A bat receiving the white-nose syndrome vaccine during a field trial to study vaccine efficacy. 

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
Blue SPV bait
Blue SPV bait
Blue SPV bait
Blue SPV bait

Blue SPV bait

Blue SPV bait

This image shows the blue version of sylvatic plague vaccine bait for prairie dogs. 

Prairie dogs in the wild are less likely to succumb to a deadly disease called sylvatic plague after they ingest peanut-butter-flavored bait that contains a vaccine against the disease.

By
Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Blue SPV bait

Blue SPV bait

Blue SPV bait

This image shows the blue version of sylvatic plague vaccine bait for prairie dogs. 

Prairie dogs in the wild are less likely to succumb to a deadly disease called sylvatic plague after they ingest peanut-butter-flavored bait that contains a vaccine against the disease.

By
Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Image: Black-footed Ferret Release
Black-footed Ferret Release
Black-footed Ferret Release
Image: Black-footed Ferret Release

Black-footed Ferret Release

Black-footed Ferret Release

An endangered black-footed ferret is released on private land in Arizona as part of a collaborative species recovery effort.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Image: Black-footed Ferret Release

Black-footed Ferret Release

Black-footed Ferret Release

An endangered black-footed ferret is released on private land in Arizona as part of a collaborative species recovery effort.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Prairie dog and SPV bait
Prairie dog and SPV bait
Prairie dog and SPV bait
Prairie dog and SPV bait

Prairie dog and SPV bait

Prairie dog and SPV bait

In this image, a Gunnison prairie dog eats a bait laden with the sylvatic plague vaccine. Prairie dogs in the wild are less likely to succumb to plague after they ingest peanut-butter-flavored bait that contains a vaccine against the disease.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Prairie dog and SPV bait

Prairie dog and SPV bait

Prairie dog and SPV bait

In this image, a Gunnison prairie dog eats a bait laden with the sylvatic plague vaccine. Prairie dogs in the wild are less likely to succumb to plague after they ingest peanut-butter-flavored bait that contains a vaccine against the disease.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Communications and Publishing
Filter Total Items: 131

3Density estimation using spatial capture-recapture analyses: Application to vaccination of prairie dogs against sylvatic plague

Prairie dogs are notoriously difficult to enumerate, with previously methods including visual counts, mark-resight, burrow counts, and catch per unit effort. Unlike those methods, spatial capture-recapture (SCR) analyses allow for formal estimation of density along with associated estimates of uncertainty, detection probability, and the size of the average area over which an individual was detecte
Authors
Robin E. Russell, Dan W. Tripp, Katherine Richgels, Tonie E. Rocke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) are resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection

It has been proposed that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus that spread through human populations as a pandemic originated in Asian bats. There is concern that infected humans could transmit the virus to native North American bats; therefore, the susceptibility of several North American bat species to the pandemic virus has been experimentally assessed. Big bro
Authors
Jeffrey S. Hall, Sean Nashold, Erik K. Hofmeister, Ariel Elizabeth Leon, Elizabeth Falendysz, Hon S. Ip, Carly M. Malave, Tonie E. Rocke, Mariano Carossino, Udeni B.R. Balasuriya, Susan Knowles
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Developing transmissible vaccines for animal infections

Many emerging and reemerging pathogens originate from wildlife, but nearly all wild species are unreachable using conventional vaccination, which requires capture of and vaccine administration to individual animals. By enabling immunization at scales sufficient to interrupt pathogen transmission, transmissible vaccines (TVs) that spread themselves through wildlife populations by infectious process
Authors
Daniel G. Streicker, Megan E. Griffiths, Rustom Antia, Laura M. Bergner, Peter Bowman, Maria Vitoria dos Santos de Moraes, Kevin Esvelt, Mike Famulare, Amy T. Gilbert, Biao He, Michael A. Jarvis, David A. Kennedy, Jennifer Kuzma, Carolyne Nasimiyu Wanyonyi, Christopher Remien, Kyle Rosenke, Tonie E. Rocke, Courtney Schreiner, Justin Sheen, David Simons, Ivet A. Yordanova, James J. Bull, Scott L. Nuismer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Prairie dog responses to vector control and vaccination during an initial Yersinia pestis invasion

We evaluated the invasion of plague bacteria Yersinia pestis into a population of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus; BTPDs) in South Dakota. We aimed to ascertain if Y. pestis invaded slowly or rapidly, and to determine if vector (flea) control or vaccination of BTPDs assisted in increasing survival rates. We sampled BTPDs in 2007 (before Y. pestis documentation), 2008 (year of confi
Authors
David A. Eads, Dean E. Biggins, Shantini Ramakrishnan, Amanda R. Goldberg, Samantha L. Eads, Tonie E. Rocke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Incorporating environmental heterogeneity and observation effort to predict host distribution and viral spillover from a bat reservoir

Predicting the spatial occurrence of wildlife is a major challenge for ecology and management. In Latin America, limited knowledge of the number and locations of vampire bat roosts precludes informed allocation of measures intended to prevent rabies spillover to humans and livestock. We inferred the spatial distribution of vampire bat roosts while accounting for observation effort and environmenta
Authors
Rita Ribeiro, Jason Matthiopoulos, Finn Lindgre, Carlos Tello, Carlos M. Zariquiey, William Valderrama, Tonie E. Rocke, Daniel G. Streicker
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Managing an ongoing threat: Bats and white-nose syndrome

No abstract available.
Authors
Tricia Lynn Fry, Amy Haeseler, Anne Ballmann, Tonie E. Rocke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Management of vampire bats and rabies: Past, present, and future

Rabies virus transmitted via the bite of common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) has surpassed canine-associated cases as the predominant cause of human rabies in Latin America. Cattle, the preferred prey of D. rotundus, suffer extensive mortality from vampire bat associated rabies, with annual financial losses estimated in the tens of millions of dollars. Organized attempts to manage or curtail v
Authors
Tonie E. Rocke, Daniel G. Streicker, Ariel Elizabeth Leon
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Monkeypox virus in animals: Current knowledge of viral transmission and pathogenesis in wild animal reservoirs and captive animal models

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is now the most serious orthopoxvirus (OPXV) infection in humans. This zoonotic disease has been gradually re-emerging in humans with an increasing frequency of cases found in endemic areas, as well as an escalating frequency and size of epidemics outside of endemic areas in Africa. Currently, the largest known mpox epidemic is spreading throughout the world, with
Authors
Elizabeth Falendysz, Juan G. Lopera, Tonie E. Rocke, Jorge E. Osorio
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Sex-biased infections scale to population impacts for an emerging wildlife disease

Demographic factors are fundamental in shaping infectious disease dynamics. Aspects of populations that create structure, like age and sex, can affect patterns of transmission, infection intensity and population outcomes. However, studies rarely link these processes from individual to population-scale effects. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying demographic differences in disease are frequently un
Authors
Macy J. Kailing, Joseph R. Hoyt, J. Paul White, Heather M. Kaarakka, Jennifer A. Redell, Ariel Elizabeth Leon, Tonie E. Rocke, John E. DePue, William H. Scullon, Katy L. Parise, Jeffrey T. Foster, A. Marm Kilpatrick, Kate E. Langwig
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Experimental infection of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) with SARS-CoV-2

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is thought to have originated in wild bats from Asia, and as the resulting pandemic continues into its third year, concerns have been raised that the virus will expand its host range and infect North American wildlife species, including bats. Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) live in large colonies in the souther
Authors
Jeffrey S. Hall, Erik K. Hofmeister, Hon S. Ip, Sean Nashold, Ariel Elizabeth Leon, Carly Marie Malave, Elizabeth Falendysz, Tonie E. Rocke, M. Carossino, U. Balasuriya, Susan Knowles
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Plague and distemper: Threats to black-footed ferret conservation

No abstract available.
Authors
Tonie E. Rocke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Immunogenicity, safety, and anti-viral efficacy of a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate in captive black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) and their susceptibility to viral challenge

A preliminary vaccination trial against the emergent pathogen, SARS-CoV-2, was completed in captive black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes; BFF) to assess safety, immunogenicity, and anti-viral efficacy. Vaccination and boosting of 15 BFF with purified SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit protein produced a nearly 150-fold increase in mean antibody titers compared to pre-vaccination titers. Serum antibody respon
Authors
Ariel Elizabeth Leon, Della Garelle, Airn Hartwig, Elizabeth Falendysz, Hon S. Ip, Julia S. Lankton, Tyler Tretten, Terry Spraker, Richard Bowen, Tonie E. Rocke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
USGS Friday's Findings - October 25, 2024

USGS Friday's Findings - October 25, 2024

Title:  The use of vaccination to mitigate white-nose syndrome in bats 

Date:  October 25, 2024, at 2:00-2:30 pm Eastern/11:00 -11:30 am Pacific 

Speake...

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White-nose syndrome surveillance and research updates

White-nose syndrome surveillance and research updates

Updates on white-nose syndrome surveillance and research from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Fall 2019.

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Vaccination May Help Protect Bats from Deadly Disease

Vaccination May Help Protect Bats from Deadly Disease

A new study shows that vaccination may reduce the impact of white-nose syndrome in bats, marking a milestone in the international fight against one of...

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Taking the Bait: Majority of Prairie Dogs Are Consuming Plague Vaccine

Taking the Bait: Majority of Prairie Dogs Are Consuming Plague Vaccine

About 70 percent of wild prairie dogs successfully ingested baits containing an oral sylvatic plague vaccine, or SPV, that were distributed throughout...

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Plague vaccine helps reduce outbreaks in prairie dog colonies

Plague vaccine helps reduce outbreaks in prairie dog colonies

Prairie dogs in the wild are less likely to succumb to plague after they ingest peanut-butter-flavored bait that contains a vaccine against the...

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