Assessment of wildlife health and disease in Alaska and adjacent regions

Past research on molecular characteristics of avian disease by the USGS and collaborators has documented host prevalence, transmission patterns, genetic origins, and inter-continental movement of disease agents between Alaska and East Asia. This project takes these findings further by examining new pathogens, demographic impacts, and new host populations.

Abstract

Since 2011, USGS studies have examined emerging avian diseases, links between disease and climate change, environmental persistence of avian viruses, blood parasite prevalence and transmission, and fitness consequences of specific pathogens. Molecular detection and characterization of these pathogens is one of the primary objectives and novel methods being developed to take advantage of new techniques in the area of molecular genetics.

---

Products

Title	Type
Molecular Detection and Characterization of Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza Viruses in Wild Birds Inhabiting Western Alaska Provides Evidence for Three Independent Viral Introductions	Data
Temporal Viral Viability Data from Avian Influenza A Viruses Maintained in Alaska Wetlands Under Experimental and Environmental Conditions	Data
Blood Parasite Infection, Body Mass, and Survival Data from Emperor Geese (Anser canagicus), Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, 2006-2016	Data
Blood Parasite Infection Data from Emperor Geese (Anser canagicus) and Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii minima), Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, 1998-2014	Data
Temporal Viral Viability Data from Avian Influenza A Viruses Maintained in North American Wetlands Under Experimental and Environmental Conditions	Data
Field-based method for assessing duration of infectivity for influenza A viruses in the environment	Publication
Influenza A Virus Persistence Data from an Urban Wetland in Anchorage, Alaska, 2018-2019	Data
Influenza A Antibodies in Pacific (Gavia pacifica), Red-throated (G. stellata), and Yellow-billed Loons (G. adamsii) in Alaska, 2008-2017	Data
Influenza A Virus Data from Emperor Geese, Alaska	Data
Lessons learned from research and surveillance directed at highly pathogenic influenza A viruses in wild birds inhabiting North America	Publication
Influenza A virus recovery, diversity, and intercontinental exchange: A multi-year assessment of wild bird sampling at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska	Publication
Introduction of Eurasian-origin H8N4 influenza A virus into North America via migratory birds	Publication
Blood Parasite Infection Data from Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri), Alaska, 2008-2012	Data
Influenza A Virus Data from Migratory Birds, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska	Data
Influenza A Viruses and Antibody Response in High-Latitude Urban Wintering Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), Alaska, 2012-2015	Data
Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health in Alaska	Project Website
Assessment of contemporary genetic diversity and inter-taxa/inter-region exchange of avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 in wild birds sampled in North America	Publication
Assessment of Contemporary Genetic Diversity and Inter-Taxa/Inter-Region Exchange of Avian Paramyxovirus Serotype 1 in Wild Birds Sampled in North America, 1986-2014	Data
Blood Parasite Infection Data from Blue-winged Teal, Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan) and USA (Texas, Louisiana), 2012-2013	Data
Detection, prevalence, and transmission of avian hematozoa in waterfowl at the Arctic/sub-Arctic interface: co-infections, viral interactions, and sources of variation	Publication
Morphology and Disease Information from Waterfowl, Interior Alaska, 2010	Data

Contacts

Ramey, Andrew M., 907-786-7174
Reeves, Andrew , 907-786-7172

Status: onGoing
Start Year: 2011
End Year: 2024

---

Project Sites

Collaborators

FWS - Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
USDA - Agricultural Research Service - Subarctic Research Unit

USGS Mission Area and Program

Ecosystems → Wildlife Program

Major Initiatives

FWS - Migratory Bird Management Program
USGS - Wetlands and Terrestrial Ecology
USGS - Wildlife Disease Program