Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Risks to People and Animals series

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

Bridget B. Baker and Samantha M. Wisely

Avian 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: Warts in White-tailed deer (Cutaneous Fibromas)

Juan M. Campos Krauer and Samantha M. Wisely

Deer warts, or cutaneous fibromas, are skin tumors caused by papillomavirus infection that affect white-tailed deer and other deer. These growths are generally benign, but in rare cases may proliferate and impede functions like sight, movement, or feeding. Deer immune systems usually eradicate the infection over time. Found exclusively on the skin, usually around the eyes, neck, face, and forelegs, warts may be diverse in appearance and size, ranging from small fleshy nodules to larger, pendulous masses or clusters. Transmission mechanisms are suspected to involve skin contact or possibly insect vectors but remain unclear. Diagnosis is by visual examination and histopathological analysis of the wart tissue. Wild deer populations usually do not require treatment, but surgical removal is an option for captive herds. Vaccine development remains plausible but has not yet been pursued extensively.

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF)

Braxton Sizemore and Juan Manuel Campos Krauer

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a viral infection of a wide variety of ruminant species and, in rare cases, swine. This publication discusses common clinical signs of MCF as well as prevention and treatment of MCF infection. Written by Braxton Sizemore and Juan Manuel Campos Krauer, and published by the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, UF/IFAS Extension, February 2025.

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Rabies

Samantha M. Wisely and Holly K. Ober

Enfermedades Zoonóticas: La Rabia

Samantha M. Wisely y Holly K. Ober y traducido por Alejandra Areingdale y Miguel Acevedo

La 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: Capture Myopathy in Farmed White-Tailed Deer

Juan M. Campos Krauer

This 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.

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

Sydney L. Cottingham, Heather D.S. Walden, Samantha M. Wisely, and Juan M. Campos-Krauer

White-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.

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

Juan M. Campos Krauer and Samantha M. Wisely

Pox 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

Michael A. Lyons, Amira M. Richardson, Merrie P. Urban, and Juan M. Campos Krauer

This 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: Bats and Coronaviruses

Holly K. Ober and Samantha M. Wisely