1. National Wildlife Health Center West Nile Virus What’s New in the Wildlife Arena? November 2003 What’s New in the Wildlife Arena? November 2003

2. National Wildlife Health Center Emi Kate Saito (I’m the one on the far left – INCDNCM 2003, AZ) Background: Born/raised Pittsburgh PA BS, 1993: U. of WI – Madison Zoology, Biological Aspects of Conservation VMD, 1997: U. of PA MSPH, 2001: Emory U. Epidemiology WNV-related work: Dekalb Co. Board of Health, Atlanta GA (2001) NWHC, Madison WI (since 2002) 1

3. National Wildlife Health Center Famous last words in Emi’s life:  From a guidance counselor in high school:  “Why don’t you become a veterinarian? They work a nice M-F, 9-5 job.”  Ha.  Upon graduating from college:  “I want to be a field biologist. I’ll get my veterinary degree so I can treat my subjects if they get sick/injured.”  =little sleep & little pay  Upon graduating from vet school:  “My head hurts. I think my brain is full.”  From a guidance counselor in high school:  “Why don’t you become a veterinarian? They work a nice M-F, 9-5 job.”  Ha.  Upon graduating from college:  “I want to be a field biologist. I’ll get my veterinary degree so I can treat my subjects if they get sick/injured.”  =little sleep & little pay  Upon graduating from vet school:  “My head hurts. I think my brain is full.” 2

4. National Wildlife Health Center Basic Virus Review Family: Flaviviridae Genus: Flavivirus Japanese Encephalitis Antigenic Complex Complex includes: Japanese Encephalitis St. Louis Encephalitis Usutu - Austria 2002, 2003 West Nile Family: Flaviviridae Genus: Flavivirus Japanese Encephalitis Antigenic Complex Complex includes: Japanese Encephalitis St. Louis Encephalitis Usutu - Austria 2002, 2003 West Nile 3

5. National Wildlife Health Center Transmission Virus 4

6. National Wildlife Health Center Role of Wildlife in Maintenance of WNV 5

7. National Wildlife Health Center Clinical Signs  Found Dead  General weakness, lethargy  Emaciation  Sedentary  Difficulty maintaining balance, trembling  Inability to walk, perch, stand, or fly  Do not respond normally to danger  Found Dead  General weakness, lethargy  Emaciation  Sedentary  Difficulty maintaining balance, trembling  Inability to walk, perch, stand, or fly  Do not respond normally to danger 6

8. National Wildlife Health Center Dead bird mortality, 2003  As of 11/3/2003:  approximately 13,000 dead birds found positive  44 states + DC  Although state of MD not testing birds, positive birds found from military installations in MD  ID, NV, OR, WA  7 Canadian Provinces  Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia  As of 11/3/2003:  approximately 13,000 dead birds found positive  44 states + DC  Although state of MD not testing birds, positive birds found from military installations in MD  ID, NV, OR, WA  7 Canadian Provinces  Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia 7

9. National Wildlife Health Center Also in the Western Hemisphere…  Resident/non-migratory birds  Mexico  Dominican Republic  Jamaica  El Salvador?  Resident/non-migratory birds  Mexico  Dominican Republic  Jamaica  El Salvador? 8

10. National Wildlife Health Center # Species Affected  at least 171 dead avian species  another 35 antibody-positive  23 mammals (including equids)  another 6 antibody-positive  prairie dogs? unconfirmed  1 reptile  another antibody-positive  at least 171 dead avian species  another 35 antibody-positive  23 mammals (including equids)  another 6 antibody-positive  prairie dogs? unconfirmed  1 reptile  another antibody-positive 9

11. National Wildlife Health Center 2003 WNV-Related Wildlife Mortality Events  American White Pelicans  Raptors  Black Vultures  Squirrels Captive/Farmed:  Alligators  American White Pelicans  Raptors  Black Vultures  Squirrels Captive/Farmed:  Alligators 10

12. National Wildlife Health Center Other Wildlife Mortality  Cotton-tail rabbits -- WY  Crows- WA  Cotton-tail rabbits -- WY  Crows- WA 11

13. National Wildlife Health Center Testing Methods  Specimens  Organs  Oropharyngeal/cloacal swabs  Immature feathers (blood quills)  Tests  Virus Isolation  RT-PCR  VecTest  Specimens  Organs  Oropharyngeal/cloacal swabs  Immature feathers (blood quills)  Tests  Virus Isolation  RT-PCR  VecTest 12

14. National Wildlife Health Center Utility of Continuing Dead Bird Testing and Reporting  Dead (positive) birds continue to serve as early indicator of human risk of infection  Arboviral panel/Diagnostic evaluation of dead wildlife can lead to discovery of other agents of concern  Dead bird reporting (or lack of) may indicate higher risk areas, as well as indicate areas where need to target more education campaigns  Further understanding of epidemiology and ecology of virus in North America  Dead (positive) birds continue to serve as early indicator of human risk of infection  Arboviral panel/Diagnostic evaluation of dead wildlife can lead to discovery of other agents of concern  Dead bird reporting (or lack of) may indicate higher risk areas, as well as indicate areas where need to target more education campaigns  Further understanding of epidemiology and ecology of virus in North America 13

15. National Wildlife Health Center Why to stop testing…  Cost of shipping, testing, staff to collect  Inconvenience – lots of phone calls, particularly after the 1 st positive  If it’s known to be in the area, could solely focus on mosquito testing…  VecTest useful – designed for mosquito testing, cheaper, considered to have acceptable sensitivity/specificity for surveillance purposes  Cost of shipping, testing, staff to collect  Inconvenience – lots of phone calls, particularly after the 1 st positive  If it’s known to be in the area, could solely focus on mosquito testing…  VecTest useful – designed for mosquito testing, cheaper, considered to have acceptable sensitivity/specificity for surveillance purposes 14

16. National Wildlife Health Center Research Update… 15

17. National Wildlife Health Center Some studies to mention:  Crows in IL  Crows in OK  Blue Jays in OH  Herps  Bird Counts  Bird vaccination studies  Crows in IL  Crows in OK  Blue Jays in OH  Herps  Bird Counts  Bird vaccination studies 16

18. National Wildlife Health Center Thank you for your attention! Any questions? esaito@usgs.gov 608-270-2456 Any questions? esaito@usgs.gov 608-270-2456 17