Diverse and are aimed at gaining a better understanding of natural disease in free-ranging wildlife to ultimately contribute to management and conservation. Aspects of this understanding vary from pathogenesis, including susceptibility to infection and disease, transmission, pathogen shedding and tissue tropism, to utilization of diagnostic modalities and health surveys to better understand epidemiology and potential health risks. Species groups of interest are constantly expanding and currently include raptors, upland gamebirds, cervids, and snakes. Past or current projects have focused on species and pathogen combinations of:
West Nile virus in raptors and game birds
Lymphoproliferative disease virus in wild turkeys
Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in various snake species
Powassan virus in small wild mammals (e.g., raccoons, groundhogs)
Green lung syndrome (fungi) in white-tailed deer
