For the more information about the geologic resources of the National Park Service, please visit http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/.
Wildlife Diseases
| Disease (Is it zoonotic*?) | Primary Widlife Affected | Primary Transmission Route | U.S. Distribution | NPS Management Activities | Links | |
| Avian botulism ("limberneck"); caused by toxins produced by a bacterium, Clostridium botulinum (No) | Birds, especially waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and loons | Ingestion of toxin-containing water or food | Sporadic across the U.S. | Surveillance; prompt removal of carcasses | National Wildlife Health Center | |
| Bighorn sheep pneumonia complex: Mannheimia haemolytica and/or Mycoplasma spp. ± lungworm (Protostrongylus spp.) ± respiratory viruses (No) | Bighorn sheep | Nose-to-nose contact or aerosol via respiratory secretions | Western U.S. | Monitoring wild sheep populations within parks, coordinating with state wildlife management agencies to restore bighorn sheep populations in areas where they historically ranged. Reducing contact between domestic livestock, particularly domestic sheep, and bighorn sheep | ||
| Bovine brucellosis (Brucella abortus) (Yes) | Elk and bison | Via exposure to contaminated tissues, birthing fluids, or milk | Greater Yellowstone Area including Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs | The National Park Service is a key participant in the Interagency Bison Management Plan, a multi-agency effort that guides the management of bison and bovine brucellosis in and around Yellowstone NP. The plan seeks to maintain a wild, free-ranging bison population and reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle. A Bison and Elk Management Plan for the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton NP guides management of the elk and bison populations on the refuge and the park. | Interagency Bison Management Plan Yellowstone bison Elk and Bison Management Plan |
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| Chronic wasting disease (CWD, prion) (No evidence to suggest that it is; however, research is ongoing) | Mule deer, white-tailed deer, Rocky Mountain elk, moose | Direct contact with infected animal or contaminated environment | Geographically distinct locations across U.S., including Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado, and Wind Cave NP, South Dakota | Chronic wasting disease management is difficult due to the long incubation period and slow development of the disease. The primary management tool is preventing the disease from being spread across the landscape by strictly limiting human assisted cervid movement either into or out of parks. Additionally, all animals showing clinical signs of CWD are removed from at risk populations, and dead deer, elk and moose are tested for the disease. The NPS works closely with other state and federal wildlife management agencies to develop and implement national disease management strategies and actively participates in CWD research projects. | CWD Alliance National Wildlife Health Center |
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| Chytrid disease; chytridiomycosis, fungal infection, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (No) | Amphibians, especially frogs | Exposure to infected water | Nearly nationwide | Surveillance; disinfection of gear between waterways to prevent anthropomorphic spread of this devastating disease | USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative | |
| Epizootic hemorrhagic disease and blue tongue viruses (EHD, BT, hemorrhagic disease) (No) | Deer, less commonly bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn antelope | Midges | Endemic in the southeastern and midwestern states; spreading north | Investigate outbreaks to rule out other, potentially nonnative, diseases | Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study | |
| Foot and Mouth Disease (Aphthovirus) (No) | Currently no affected species in the U.S. All cloven-hoofed animals (deer, elk, bison, swine, bighorn sheep, javalina, etc.) are potentially susceptible. | Direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments | Not currently found in the U.S. or any national park | This disease poses a significant threat to hoofed animals if it were to be introduced into the U.S., therefore, the NPS has developed a Foot and Mouth Disease prevention and response plan to protect wildlife in parks. | USDA website | |
| Highly pathogenic avian influenza (Influenza type A, H5N1) (Yes) | Currently no affected species in the U.S. Birds, especially waterfowl, shorebirds, and domestic poultry, are potentially susceptible. | Ingestion of infected water or food; inhalation of airborne respiratory particles | Not currently found in the U.S. or any national park | Surveillance of potential wild avian carriers that have died or are ill. NPS has developed prevention and response plans to protect wildlife in parks. | National Wildlife Health Center CDC website |
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| Plague (bubonic, pneumonic, septicemic); caused by a bacterium, Yersinia pestis (Yes) | Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, black-footed ferrets; over 200 mammal species are susceptible | Flea bites; exposure to or ingestion of infected animals or carcasses | Western U.S. | Monitoring/surveillance programs; application of insecticides into burrows; public education to reduce risk of exposure | CDC website | |
| Rabies (Yes) | All mammals are susceptible; in NPS units, bats, fox, raccoon, and skunk are the primary species | Usually via bite from an infected animal | Nationwide, except Hawaii | Reducing human-wildlife and pet-wildlife contact through public education; cooperation in oral rabies vaccination efforts | CDC website WHO website |
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| Tularemia (rabbit fever, deerfly fever); caused by a bacterium, Francisella tularensis (Yes) | Rabbits, beaver, prairie dogs | Ticks; biting flies; exposure to or ingestion of infected animals, carcasses, or water | Worldwide, including throughout North America | Surveillance if tularemia is suspected in wildlife; risk reduction to humans is primarily via education to minimize animal contact and to prevent arthropod exposure | CDC website | |
| West Nile Virus (Yes) | Birds, especially corvids (for example crows, ravens, jays) | Mosquito bites | Most of the continental U.S. | Risk reduction includes a variety of short- and long-term management actions such as education of staff and visitors, monitoring/surveillance programs, sanitation programs, and reduction of non-natural (man-made) mosquito habitat. | National Wildlife Health Center CDC website |
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| White-nose syndrome; caused by a fungus, Geomyces destructans. (Does not appear to be) | Hibernating insectivorous bats | Direct bat-to-bat transfer is most common; human transfer of fungus from cave to cave is suspected | Northeastern, east-central, and midwestern U.S. | Restrict access to caves; restrict gear use in caves; decontamination of gear and clothing | NPS website | |
*Zoonotic diseases can be transferred between humans and other animals.
Last Updated: February 14, 2013
