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Approximately two-thirds of the infectious diseases that affect humans
are of animal origin. Over the last 30 years a great preponderance of
these diseases, including most emerging and resurging infectious diseases,
have wildlife roots. This pattern is global and includes Ebola fever (Africa),
Hantavirus disease (USA), Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever (South America),
SARS (Asia), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (Europe, Asia, Africa) and
other diseases noted for their high human case-fatality rates. These and
other diseases of wildlife pose increasing challenges for the health of
humans. Sometimes human health is compromised in unanticipated ways like:
contamination of blood supplies (AIDS, West Nile Fever), organ donor contributions
intended to sustain human life (Rabies, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis),
the foods we eat (Trichinosis, Anisakiosis), and even recreational activities
involving contact with contaminated environments (Leptospirosis, Histoplasmosis).
These and other situations emphasize the need for comprehensive wildlife
disease information in order to build a foundation to facilitate strategic
planning and actions to protect human health.
Milton Friend
USGS Emeritus Scientist
Founding Director, USGS National Wildlife Health Center
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