Feral Swine Disease Surveillance

Through a joint initiative, the NWDP collaborates with 

APHIS’ Veterinary Services and others to sample more 

than 2,300 feral swine annually for 5 diseases of interest. 

These results are shared with local animal health 

authorities to better inform commercial swine producers 

in more than 30 States of potential risks from feral swine, 

or wild hogs. This non-native species is a known carrier 

of many diseases, including pseudorabies and swine 

brucellosis, both of which have been eradicated from 

U.S. commercial pork production.

Future Concerns

HPAI will remain an immediate focus of wildlife disease 

surveillance. The expanding range and population of 

feral swine make this species a continuing concern for 

animal health officials and wildlife managers. Where 

human health risks exist, the NWDP will continue plague 

and tularemia surveillance as sampling sources are 

available. The NWDP will also follow emerging diseases 

impacting wildlife, such as chronic wasting disease and 

bovine tuberculosis. 

For More Information

•	 Toll-free (866) 4USDA-WS or (866) 487-3297

•	 A listing of WS State and Regional Offices is available

on the Internet at 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage.

Focus of Surveillance 

Some wildlife diseases are unique to animals. Others 

(e.g., bovine tuberculosis and highly pathogenic avian 

influenza [HPAI]) are zoonotic, affecting both animals 

and humans. Because disease risks are dynamic, 

the NWDP continually evaluates and alters its focus 

to address the most current challenges to wildlife, 

agriculture, and humans. 

Other diseases (e.g., chronic wasting disease and footand-mouth disease) pose threats to domestic animals 

and livestock. If these diseases are detected in wildlife, 

livestock producers can quickly enhance biosecurity to 

protect their animals, and wildlife managers can begin 

reducing threats. 

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1) 

Avian influenza has emerged as an animal disease of 

worldwide concern, in part due to its potential to mutate 

into a virus that could lead to a human pandemic. The 

highly pathogenic (H5N1) avian influenza virus has not 

yet been detected in North America. In the largest-ever 

surveillance for a wildlife disease in North America, the 

NWDP leads a multi-agency effort for the early detection 

of HPAI (H5N1) in wild, migratory birds. 

Plague

Plague, a bacterial disease not native to North America, 

is passed through bites from infected fleas. In early 

spring 2005, a South Dakota Tribal Council asked 

Wildlife Services to determine whether reported die-offs 

of prairie dogs were the result of disease or poisoning. 

After APHIS wildlife biologists collected samples, 

tests from the U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

confirmed the first verified incidence of sylvatic plague 

in the State. The NWDP activated its Surveillance and 

Emergency Response System and individually treated 

burrows in nine prairie dog colonies, covering over 5,000 

acres.

This publication reports research involving pesticides. All uses of 

pesticides must be registered by appropriate State and/or Federal 

agencies before they can be recommended. 

CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic 

animals, desirable plants, and fish or other wildlife—if they are not 

handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for the disposal of surplus

pesticides and pesticide containers.

Cover photo: APHIS wildlife biologists release a deer trapped and 

tested for bovine tuberculosis.

Photo credits: Cover photo by Michigan Department of Natural 

Resources. Other photos from the APHIS photo image collection 

and Wildlife Services staff. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

Issued April 2009 • Program Aid No. 2002

On the Watch for 

Wildlife Disease

National Wildlife Disease Program

Wildlife Services

Protecting People

Protecting Agriculture

Protecting Wildlife

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Wildlife

Services Protecting People | Protecting Agriculture | Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People | Protecting Agriculture | Protecting Wildlife other countries. Such assistance includes building 

infrastructure and capacity to identify and respond to a 

variety of animal diseases. For example, the NWDP has 

collaborated with international partners to develop and 

conduct workshops and surveillance activities for avian 

influenza. 

Emergency Response and Research 

The NWDP’s wildlife disease biologists are prepared to 

respond quickly not only to disease outbreaks, but also 

to other disasters that can benefit from Wildlife Services 

expertise. The program’s emergency responders can 

mobilize immediately and arrive at an emergency site 

within 48 hours. 

With degrees in the sciences and formal training in 

wildlife behavior and management, NWDP biologists 

maintain a versatile skill set that enables them to 

respond effectively to a range of situations. During 

an emergency response to the detection of bovine 

tuberculosis in white-tailed deer, the NWDP worked 

closely with State wildlife agency officials to increase 

surveillance, live-capture and test wildlife for infection, 

and implement strategies to reduce the likelihood of 

disease spread. 

Feral swine blood and tissue 

samples can be tested for 

diseases they are known to carry. 
To maintain individual health, a person typically 

establishes a strong relationship with a physician. 

APHIS’ National Wildlife Disease Program (NWDP) 

functions much like a physician for the health of the 

Nation’s wildlife populations. Through its Surveillance 

and Emergency Response System, the NWDP monitors 

for diseases that pose risks to the public, wildlife, 

the Nation’s livestock and poultry, and/or the U.S. 

economy. When a disease is detected, wildlife disease 

biologists and other animal health officials can provide 

the emergency treatment needed to eliminate or lessen 

its impact. 

APHIS instituted the NWDP in response to increasing 

concerns over foot-and-mouth disease and other 

serious diseases involving wildlife. The APHIS mission 

includes strengthening the Nation’s safeguarding 

capabilities domestically and internationally while 

increasing emergency response capabilities. Because 

APHIS’ Wildlife Services focuses on the management 

of wildlife damage, positioning the NWDP—with its 

focus on the early detection, prevention, and control of 

wildlife-borne diseases—within this program represents 

a natural specialty of Wildlife Services’ skills and 

experience. 

Monitoring and Surveillance

Increasingly, people, pets, wildlife, and livestock are 

exposed to potentially devastating diseases (such as 

brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, E. coli, and plague), 

which can move either direction between wildlife 

and domestic animals. When wild animals transmit 

diseases to livestock—a core of the Nation’s agriculture 

industry—the results can have profound economic 

effects. Diseases such as bovine tuberculosis or 

brucellosis can initiate trade restrictions across State 

and international borders and prompt the need for 

quarantines, depopulation, and indemnification, 

The NWDP directly supports the APHIS mission of strengthening the Nation’s 

safeguarding capabilities domestically and internationally while increasing 

emergency response capabilities.

Collectively, monitoring and surveillance provides 

information on the distribution, incidence, and trends 

of diseases in populations. Based on this information, 

the NWDP and its partners develop predefined 

intervention strategies that will manage diseases when 

an unacceptable level of risk to agriculture, wildlife, or 

human health and safety occurs. The program can 

also use this information to respond to emergencies, 

including natural disasters and disease outbreaks.

The NWDP has wildlife disease biologists assigned 

throughout the country. While acting as local 

coordinators, wildlife disease biologists design sampling 

strategies, collect required biological samples from 

various wildlife species and the environment, submit 

specimens to laboratories for diagnostic testing, and 

analyze results. These efforts are critical in protecting 

our Nation’s agricultural and wildlife health. Surveillance 

helps detect disease introductions, which provides 

valuable information to help limit their spread and 

potential consequences. Monitoring increases the basic 

knowledge of wildlife-associated diseases, establishes 

baseline information, and provides data for detecting 

epidemics.

The Surveillance and 

Emergency Response 

System includes 

emergency truck-andtrailer units for use by 

wildlife disease biologists 

equipped and trained 

for prompt response to 

a variety of emergencies 

involving wildlife. 

Wildlife Services (WS)—a program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service—provides Federal leadership and expertise to resolve 

wildlife conflicts that threaten public health and safety, natural resources, and agriculture. 

APHIS’ Wildlife Services works in every State to administer a program of integrated wildlife damage 

management, including surveillance and monitoring for wildlife diseases. 

Through its Wildlife Services office, APHIS established the National Wildlife Disease Program to 

develop and implement a nationwide system that surveys for wildlife diseases, parasites, and diseasecausing agents and responds to emergencies. With its national scope, the program supports State and 

local agencies, tribes, and other Federal programs in addressing wildlife disease issues. The program’s 

international component assists foreign partners with capacity building and conducts wildlife disease 

surveillance. 

APHIS’ National Wildlife Research Center assists the 

NWDP by conducting research on wildlife diseases. In 

addition, APHIS-Wildlife Services works closely with 

other USDA programs and universities to address 

research needs that focus on domestic and international 

veterinary health issues. 

Collaboration

To maximize efficiency, the NWDP often coordinates 

its sampling work closely with research studies, other 

wildlife programs, and other APHIS’ wildlife Services 

operational projects, such as the protection of livestock 

and natural resources. For example, the NWDP 

conducts testing for plague on coyotes that are taken 

during activities to protect livestock or threatened and 

endangered species. The NWDP also obtains samples 

for brucellosis from feral swine removed to protect 

natural resources and agriculture. 

Because diseases do not respect borders or boundaries, 

interagency and international coordination is critical 

to facilitate trade while still protecting wildlife and 

agricultural resources. The NWDP works with other 

Government programs, nongovernmental organizations, 

and universities to identify health threats outside U.S. 

borders and reduce those threats at their sources. When 

possible, program personnel directly assist wildlife 

management authorities and agriculture specialists in 

resulting in significant costs for producers and taxpayers. 

In addition to safeguarding the health of U.S. livestock, 

Wildlife Services also seeks to protect wildlife resources 

from livestock diseases and emerging diseases (i.e., 

plague) that can have disastrous impacts to wildlife 

populations. 

In some cases, the spread of disease can only be 

controlled if response efforts are integrated with wildlife 

management. With its mission of wildlife damage 

management, APHIS’ Wildlife Services plays a crucial 

role in wildlife disease surveillance, prevention, and 

control.

As a part of Wildlife Services, the NWDP conducts 

surveillance and monitoring for wildlife diseases, 

assessing the health and disease status of wildlife 

populations, through ongoing or repeated sampling. The 

NWDP supports established programs in other Federal 

and State agencies by exchanging information; providing 

biological samples for various disease-related projects; 

supporting a national laboratory infrastructure; and 

conducting wildlife disease surveillance.

In an emergency response, wildlife disease biologists treated 

thousands of prairie dog burrows with a flea-killing insecticide. 

Surveillance for highly 

pathogenic avian influenza 

spans every State and 

Territory, utilizing various 

management techniques 

and laboratory expertise.