Wildlife Services' (WS) National Wildlife Disease Program (NWDP) promotes
safe agricultural trade by protecting the health of humans, animals,
plants and ecosystems to reduce the levels of incurred losses to agricultural
and natural resources.
About NWDP |
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NWDP participates in wildlife disease monitoring and
surveillance in all regions of the United States. The program's Wildlife
Disease Biologists (WDBs) act as WS' first responders through NWDP's
Surveillance and Emergency Response System (SERS). Additionally, NWDP
collaborates with non-governmental organizations and officials from
other countries to promote and assist in the development of wildlife
disease monitoring programs worldwide.
Feral Swine Diseases |
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NWDP is involved in disease management, research, disease surveillance,
emergency response, education and outreach for diseases of feral swine.
There are around 4 million feral swine in the United States today.
These animals, weighing in at up to 400 lbs., are non-native to the
US and are considered invasive.
They can be reservoirs of disease and may act as a host to a number
of parasites, leaving the United States domestic swine industry vulnerable
to disease.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza |
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Avian influenza (AI) is a Type A influenza virus, naturally found
in some species of waterfowl and shorebirds. A particularly dangerous
set of subtypes of this virus, called highly-pathogenic AI, is of particular
concern due to its potential impact on wild birds, domestic poultry
and human health if introduced into the United States.
Plague |
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Plague has been identified as a disease of concern to human, wildlife
and domestic animal populations within the United States. It is also
considered a "Category
A" disease by the Department of Homeland Security, meaning
it could potentially be used as a bioterrorist agent.
Tularemia |
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Tularemia has been identified as a disease of concern to human, wildlife
and domestic animal populations within the United States. It, like
plague, is considered a "Category
A" disease by the Department of Homeland Security, meaning
it could potentially be used as a bioterrorist agent.
Surveillance and Emergency Response System
(SERS) |
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APHIS is an emergency response agency that operates under the National
Response Framework (NRF), a comprehensive guide on how the nation deals
with emergencies. The NRF outlines how federal, state, tribal and local
governments, along with the private sector, coordinate emergency response
efforts. This framework recognizes distinct support functions that
may be needed during an emergency/disaster event or incident. These
Emergency Support Functions (ESF) include categories such as transportation,
communications and public health/medical services.
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