Wildlife diseases
Wildlife, like humans, are susceptible to illness and disease. Wildlife that are sick or diseased may appear docile or exhibit unusual behavior and symptoms vary across species and diseases. Outdoor enthusiasts should never engage with wildlife disease suspects directly and are encouraged to report wildlife exhibiting behaviors to the Wildlife Health Program to determine if an investigation is warranted in the afflicted animals.
Management of any species is greatly dependent upon the assistance and cooperation of our public and those efforts are greatly appreciated. Report sick or potentially sick animals to the Game and Parks office nearest you.
Wildlife diseases are complex and don’t occur in isolation, as they are closely connected to the health of people, livestock and domestic animals, and the environment. This idea is known as the One Health framework, which recognizes that the health of animals, humans, and ecosystems are all linked. The Nebraska Game and Parks Wildlife Health team uses this approach by working closely with partners across health sectors by sharing wildlife health information across agencies.
Highest priority
The following diseases have been documented in Nebraska and are of highest concern to wildlife biologists.
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern to the central United States at an alarming rate. Since the winter of 2007-2008, millions of insect-eating bats in 25 states and five Canadian provinces have died from this devastating disease. The disease is named for the white fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which infects skin of the muzzle, ears and wings of hibernating bats.
Current estimates of bat population declines in the northeastern United States since the emergence of WNS are approximately 80 percent. This sudden and widespread mortality associated with WNS is unprecedented in hibernating bats, among which disease outbreaks have not been previously documented. It is unlikely that species of bats affected by WNS will recover quickly because most are long-lived and have only a single pup per year. Consequently, even in the absence of disease, bat populations do not fluctuate widely in numbers over time.
Canine distemper virus (CDV) affects species including raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, as well as other mammal species. Although related to the measles virus in humans, it cannot be transmitted to people. The virus can spread through direct contact with an infected individual or through exposure to droplets of the virus in the air when an infected individual sneezes or coughs.
Animals may experience lethargy, lack of appetite, paralysis, fever, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cases of CDV are more common in wildlife in spring and summer. Symptoms may appear similar to rabies when an animal is in the neurologic phase of the disease.
Lead toxicity is the buildup of fatal amounts of lead within an animal. The most common exposure to lead in animals is through ingestion of ammunition fragments and fishing tackle. Avian predators and scavengers are more susceptible to lead toxicity, with effects most often seen in eagles, vultures, and swans. Symptoms include incoordination, weakness, green watery diarrhea, drooped wings, and reduced activity.
Lead toxicity is treatable; however, birds are often too severely affected by the time symptoms are identified and therefore treatment is ineffective. Due to the generalized symptoms that present in bird species with lead toxicity, it can be difficult to distinguish lead toxicity from other common diseases such as avian influenza.
Chytridiomycosis (chytrid) is an infectious disease that affects amphibian species worldwide. Caused by the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis or Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans), this disease attacks the sensitive skin of amphibians, in turn affecting their ability to breathe and stay hydrated. Chytrid can spread through infected water and soil via spores, and it can also be spread through direct contact between host species. This disease has been linked to population declines in amphibian species across the world, causing sporadic mortality in some populations and 100% mortality in others.
Additional diseases
Following are links to information on other diseases documented in Nebraska:
