Emerging infectious diseases in wildlife

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Epidemiology
• Wildlife Ecology
• Pathogen Dynamics

Background:

• Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in wildlife pose significant threats to biodiversity, domestic animals, and human health.
• Understanding the drivers of EID emergence is crucial for effective disease management and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To categorize the primary drivers of emerging infectious diseases in wildlife.
• To illustrate these drivers with specific examples of wildlife diseases.
• To emphasize the need for vigilance in detecting and managing EIDs.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of EID emergence processes: ecosystem alterations, pathogen/vector movement, and microbial/diagnostic changes.
• Analysis of case studies including Mycoplasmosis in passerines, Hantavirus in rodents, rabbit/hare caliciviruses, rabies, and chytridiomycosis in amphibians.
• Review of the role of anthropogenic factors and natural changes in disease emergence.

Main Results:

• EID emergence results from a complex interplay of factors, often exceeding simple categorization.
• Examples demonstrate how habitat changes (e.g., Mycoplasmosis), human-induced landscape alterations (e.g., Hantavirus), and pathogen movement (e.g., caliciviruses, rabies, chytrid fungus) facilitate disease spread.
• Advances in diagnostic techniques also contribute to the recognition of novel or previously unknown pathogens (e.g., paramyxoviruses).

Conclusions:

• Ecosystem alterations and the movement of pathogens/vectors are key drivers of wildlife EID.
• Continued global environmental changes and increased movement of animals will likely lead to more EID events.
• Proactive surveillance and rapid diagnosis are essential to mitigate the impact of wildlife EIDs on animal and human health.