Junior Research Group Wildlife Diseases
FLI Insel Riems
The native wildlife in Germany is regularly investigated to ensure their status free of notifiable epizootic diseases or in connection with national or international monitoring-programs.
Furthermore numerous results of epidemiological studies in wild animals exist. A full review of current infectious agents in wildlife in Germany has not been available up to now.
The Junior Research Group Wildlife Diseases was established to compile and analyse results of investigations in wildlife in Germany as well as to complement these data with additional studies. In conclusion, the potential role of wildlife as a reservoir for selected infectious agents has to be considered, particularly in regard to wildlife as a reservoir for:
a) domestic animals (especially livestock) being free of epizootic diseases
b) wildlife populations related to species preservation (biodiversity)
c) humans regarding an infection with zoonotic pathogens.
Tasks
- to survey and analyse research results in wildlife in Germany
- to configure a database of these results
- to configure a geographical information system (GIS) to demonstrate occurrence and dissemination/distribution of infectious agents within wildlife populations in Germany
- to simulate the distribution of selected infectious diseases and compile disease risk maps
- to organise field studies
- to validate analytical methods applied in wildlife, if necessary