Investigation of the occurrence and population-relevant significance of infectious diseases

Project description

Title Investigation of the occurrence and population-relevant significance of infectious diseases, especially with zoonotic potential, in wild animals in Lower Saxony and advice to hunters on how to deal with affected wild animal species

Infectious diseases in wild animals are currently on the rise and with them the questions of what these infectious agents mean for native wild animal populations, hunters and other people who handle these animals. Since Covid-19, awareness has once again been raised that infectious diseases from wild animals can be a source of danger for humans. For example, influenza and West Nile viruses have been observed in more and more species, sometimes leading to significant losses in populations. The first-time detection of Usutu viruses in native seals in the Wadden Sea and the new occurrence of myxomatosis in brown hares in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony are also evidence of the pathogens' enormous tendency to adapt and spread.
Overall, there is great uncertainty among hunters and the general public with regard to infectious diseases in wild animals, so there is an urgent need for action. The Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hanover of the LAVES is responsible for the examination of wild animals at the Hanover site. Among other things, the institute deals with pathogen situations, the etiology of diseases and the causes of death of wild animals sent in.
The information and experience on wild animal infectious diseases in Lower Saxony provided by the LAVES, the TiHo and the Lower Saxony Hunting Association (LJN) is to be pooled in the study in order to improve understanding of the occurrence, spread, population significance and risk management.

The aims of the project are as follows:
1. veterinary summary of individual animal findings of wild animals from Lower Saxony
2. to determine the veterinary significance for the various wild animal populations
3. targeted and statistically representative sampling and investigation of newly emerging infectious diseases or suspicious deaths in wild animals
4. analysis of the occurrence and potential impact of infectious diseases on
wildlife populations, particularly in the case of novel pathogens
5. risk assessment and development of hygiene concepts for hunters and other
stakeholders
6. advice for decision-makers on sustainable wildlife infection management