Ask IFAS: Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Risks to People and Animals series

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Risks to People and Animals series

Editorial Team

Samantha Wisely - Author

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Capture Myopathy in Farmed White-Tailed Deer

VM259/VM259by Juan M. Campos KrauerFebruary 7, 2024This publication discusses causes, clinical signs, and ways to reduce risk of capture myopathy in farmed white-tailed deer. Written by Juan M. Campos Krauer, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, January 2024.

Enfermedades Zoonóticas: La Rabia

UW506/WEC239Sby Samantha M. Wisely y Holly K. Ober y traducido por Alejandra Areingdale y Miguel AcevedoJune 1, 2023La rabia es un virus que se transmite entre mamíferos y es mortal para humanos y animales. La enfermedad es tratable, pero es incurable cuando los síntomas son evidentes. El virus ataca el sistema nervioso central y la forma más común de transmisión es la saliva, cuando un mamífero infectado muerde a otro animal o persona. El virus también se puede transmitir cuando saliva, lágrimas o tejido cerebral/nervioso infectados entran en contacto con heridas abiertas o mucosas (ojos, nariz o boca) de otro animal o persona. El virus puede sobrevivir en los cuerpos de animales muertos por periodos largos, pero puede sobrevivir por poco tiempo fuera del cuerpo de un hospedero. El virus deja de ser infeccioso al secarse o calentarse, o ser expuesto a la luz solar.

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Things You Should Know about Mule Deerpox Virus in Farmed White-Tailed Deer in Florida

UW519/WEC463by Juan M. Campos Krauer and Samantha M. WiselyMay 21, 2024Pox viruses are widespread and infect many hosts, including insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Some, like chicken pox, are highly adapted to humans, and others, like monkeypox, can be transmitted from species to species. All are highly contagious and usually cause lesions or rashes. Poxvirus infections occur in domestic hoofstock, including cattle, sheep, goats, camels, horses, and swine, and they have been reported in wild ungulates, including mountain sheep, mountain goats, reindeer, mule deer, musk-ox, caribou, moose, and white-tailed deer. In 1983, Mule deerpox virus, a genetically distinct pox virus was found in free-ranging mule deer in Wyoming. Since the 1990s, several cases of mule deerpox virus have been reported from black-tailed deer from California and Oregon and a white-tailed deer from Mississippi, suggesting that this virus may be a potential emerging pathogen for white-tailed deer. It is unclear whether the virus is more prevalent or whether detection has increased.

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Antler Infections and Cranial Abscess Disease in White-Tailed Deer

VM260/VM260by Michael A. Lyons, Amira M. Richardson, Merrie P. Urban, and Juan M. Campos KrauerFebruary 7, 2024This article provides valuable insights into antler infections and cranial abscess disease in white-tailed deer. It emphasizes the importance of addressing these concerns for the species’ conservation and well-being. Written by Michael A. Lyons, Amira M. Richardson, Merrie P. Urban, and Juan M. Campos Krauer, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, January 2024.

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

UW502/WEC457by Bridget B. Baker and Samantha M. WiselyFebruary 9, 2023Avian influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that circulates globally among wild birds. As of July 2022, H5N1 has spread quickly in the United States, killing wild birds in more than 40 states and impacting more than 60 species. While lethal to many bird and some mammal species, the current circulating strain is not particularly infectious in humans. Nonetheless, basic precautions are still warranted, particularly for those people in contact with wild birds via hunting or the use of backyard bird feeders or baths, as well as people with backyard poultry or pet birds. These basic precautions are detailed.

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Gastrointestinal Parasites of Farmed White-tailed Deer in Florida

UW498/WEC453by Sydney L. Cottingham, Heather D.S. Walden, Samantha M. Wisely, and Juan M. Campos-KrauerOctober 24, 2022White-tailed deer are susceptible to infection by numerous gastrointestinal parasites. Not all parasite infections cause clinical disease, but even subclinical gastrointestinal parasitism may reduce the health and productivity of infected deer. An understanding of parasite epidemiology is critical to improving captive deer health through effective parasite control strategies. This publication will serve as a guide to common parasites of farmed white-tailed deer in Florida and will provide producers with recommendations for management of gastrointestinal parasites in farmed deer.