National Wildlife Disease Program (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. To view NWDP's bimonthly newsletter, The Carrier, click the icon below:
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.
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 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 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.
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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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. 
