Ecosystems
Science to Support Aquatic Animal Health:
A New USGS Fact Sheet
Read the new fact sheet
Disease Webinar Series
Watch a webinarFish and Wildlife Disease
USGS is the lead Federal agency for wildlife disease research and surveillance. Congress and our partners rely on our science to make informed decisions about fish and wildlife disease policy, planning and management. USGS scientists are developing advanced tools for disease diagnosis, surveillance, risk assessment and control. Cause-of-death investigations and next generation sequencing have led to the discovery of new pathogens. USGS research on diseases at the interface of wildlife, domestic animals and humans support public health (e.g., sylvatic plague) and domestic animal health (e.g., avian influenza). Our disease ecologists are also examining how climate change, invasive species and landscape changes are impacting disease dynamics.
National Contact
M. Camille Harris
703-648-4019
Research
Avian Influenza
In 2014, USGS scientists detected three HPAI viruses for the first time in wild birds in North America.
Learn moreWhite-Nose Syndrome
As of September 2015, bats with WNS were confirmed in 26 states and five Canadian provinces.
Learn moreChytrid Fungus (Bd, Bsal)
Chytrid fungus was identified 15 years ago as one of the primary causes of death for many amphibians.
Learn moreSylvatic Plague
Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects cervids (elk, moose, mule deer, and white-tailed deer) throughout the U.S.
Learn moreAvian Malaria
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Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne disease of birds caused by a protozoan parasite (Plasmodium relictum).
Learn moreCoral Diseases
Fish Diseases
USGS fish disease research is focused on developing advanced tools for rapid disease detection and control.
Learn moreSea Star Wasting Disease
Sea stars are dying off at dramatic rates across the West Coast from Baja California in Mexico to Alaska.
Learn moreAvian Botulism
Avian botulism is caused by the soil bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, and causes paralysis and death in birds.
Learn moreDisease Webinar Series
USGS and the Association for Fish and Wildlife Agencies are co-hosting a monthly webinar series on fish and wildlife disease. The purpose of this series is to keep our partners informed about our current disease research and start a discussion to understand how USGS science can support disease management efforts.
Past Webinars
- Chronic Wasting Disease
- Avian Influenza
- Bsal — 10/22/2015
- White-Nose Syndrome — 12/18/2015
- Plague — 2/4/2016
- Fish Diseases — 4/28/2016
- Online Tools — 7/19/2016