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Tonie Rocke

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

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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.
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
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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.
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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.
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
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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.
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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...
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
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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...
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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.
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center
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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
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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.
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
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Sylvatic Plague

Sylvatic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is a bacterial disease transmitted by fleas that afflicts many mammalian species, including humans.
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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.
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
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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.
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Mosquito, species not verified

Vector-Borne Diseases

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

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

Monkeypox challenge of rope squirrels: data

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic disease endemic in Central and West Africa and is the most virulent orthopoxvirus affecting humans since the eradication of variola virus (VARV). In order to assess their reservoir potential, wild-caught rope squirrels were experimentally infected via intranasal and intradermal exposure with a recombinant MPXV strain from Central Africa engineered to express th
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Field efficacy trials with sylvatic plague vaccine

These data were collected as part of a field trial to test the efficacy of a sylvatic plague vaccine. Treatment and control sites were selected randomly from the available sites at each location. Site pairs were a minimum of 20 acres, (with a few exceptions). Prairie dog trapping took place a minimum of two weeks post-baiting and trapping procedures were approved by the NWHC Animal Care and Use
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.
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Gloved hands holding a bat white glove scientists administers vaccine orally.
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Blue SPV bait
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Image: Black-footed Ferret Release
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Prairie dog and SPV bait
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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
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Ecosystems, 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
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Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center

Potential effects of environmental conditions on prairie dog flea development and implications for sylvatic plague epizootics

Fleas are common ectoparasites of vertebrates worldwide and vectors of many pathogens causing disease, such as sylvatic plague in prairie dog colonies. Development of fleas is regulated by environmental conditions, especially temperature and relative humidity. Development rates are typically slower at low temperatures and faster at high temperatures, which are bounded by lower and upper thresholds
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Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center

Social effects of rabies infection in male vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus)

Rabies virus (RABV) transmitted by the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) poses a threat to agricultural development and public health throughout the Neotropics. The ecology and evolution of rabies host-pathogen dynamics are influenced by two infection-induced behavioral changes. RABV-infected hosts often exhibit increased aggression which facilitates transmission, and rabies also leads to red
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

A recombinant rabies vaccine that prevents viral shedding in rabid common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus)

Vampire bat transmitted rabies (VBR) is a continuing burden to public health and agricultural sectors in Latin America, despite decades-long efforts to control the disease by culling bat populations. Culling has been shown to disperse bats, leading to an increased spread of rabies. Thus, non-lethal strategies to control VBR, such as vaccination, are desired. Here, we evaluated the safety and effic
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Impact of molecular modifications on the Immunogenicity and efficacy of recombinant raccoon poxvirus-vectored rabies vaccine candidates in mice

Rabies is an ancient disease that is responsible for approximately 59,000 human deaths annually. Bats (Order Chiroptera) are thought to be the original hosts of rabies virus (RABV) and currently account for most rabies cases in wildlife in the Americas. Vaccination is being used to manage rabies in other wildlife reservoirs like fox and raccoon, but no rabies vaccine is available for bats. We prev
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Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center

Enzootic plague reduces survival of Mexican woodrats (Neotoma mexicana) in Colorado

Plague is a flea-vectored disease introduced to North America c. 1900. It is lethal to many American mammal species, causes major die-offs (epizootics) in some populations, and may be ecologically disruptive even at lower interepizootic (enzootic) levels of transmission. We sought to determine the effects of enzootic plague on survival of Mexican woodrats (Neotoma mexicana) and to test the hypothe
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Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Space matters: Host spatial structure and the dynamics of plague transmission

The development of models to elucidate the transmission pathways and dynamics of wildlife diseases remains challenging. Sylvatic plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis (Yp), is an infectious zoonotic disease that primarily affects wild rodents, including prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) in North America. Proposed transmission pathways for Yp include flea bites, direct contacts between hosts, a
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Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center

Sentinel coyote pathogen survey to assess declining black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) population in South Dakota, USA

As part of the national recovery effort, endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) were reintroduced to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, US in 2000. Despite an encouraging start, numbers of ferrets at the site have declined. In an effort to determine possible causes of the population decline, we undertook a pathogen survey in 2012 to detect exposure to West Nile virus
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Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center

Experimental challenge of a North American bat species, big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), with SARS-CoV-2

The recently emerged novel coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2, is phylogenetically related to bat coronaviruses (CoVs), specifically SARS‐related CoVs from the Eurasian bat family Rhinolophidae. As this human pandemic virus has spread across the world, the potential impacts of SARS‐CoV‐2 on native North American bat populations are unknown, as is the ability of North American bats to serve as reservoirs or i
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Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center

Characterizing patterns of genomic variation in the threatened Utah prairie dog: Implications for conservation and management

Utah prairie dogs (Cynomys parvidens) are federally threatened due to eradication campaigns, habitat destruction, and outbreaks of plague. Today, Utah prairie dogs exist in small, isolated populations, making them less demographically stable and more susceptible to erosion of genetic variation by genetic drift. We characterized patterns of genetic structure at neutral and putatively adaptive loci
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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center

Impacts of environmental conditions on fleas in black-tailed prairie dog burrows

Sylvatic plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and transmitted by fleas, occurs in prairie dogs of the western United States. Outbreaks can devastate prairie dog communities, often causing nearly 100% mortality. Three competent flea vectors, prairie dog specialists Oropsylla hirsuta and O. tuberculata, and generalist Pulex simulans, are found on prairie dogs and in their burrows. Fleas a
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Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, National Wildlife Health Center
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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

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

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

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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