Vectors
This arthropod is known as a vector of the bacteria causing cat-scratch disease as well as parasite larvae such as tapeworms.
What are fleas?
These mammals are known for being carriers of several zoonotic disease-causing pathogens, including that of rabies, SARS, and Nipah Virus.
What are bats?
This fatal, progressive neurological disease is caused by prions and affects cervids, including white-tailed deer.
What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?
This viral disease attacks the central nervous system, and is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal.
What is Rabies?
This term describes any infectious agent capable of causing disease.
What is a pathogen?
Various species of this insect vector Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in horses, humans, and other animals.
What are mosquitos?
This meso-mammal species is known as the only other mammal on record to harbor the bacterial pathogen causing Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease).
What is the Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)?
This viral condition is known to impact Florida Scrub Jays and causes wart-like lesions, particularly on unfeathered parts of the bird’s body.
This bacterial disease is known to cause sudden death and frequently results in blood being expelled from the nose, mouth, and anus after death.
What is Anthrax?
This term describes a living organism that harbors a pathogen, but shows no clinical signs and serves as a source of infection to other susceptible hosts.
What is a reservoir host?
The biting species of this insect can carry and spread many pathogens to animals including those causing conditions such as Bovine Respiratory Disease, Salmonellosis, Keratoconjunctivitis pinkeye), and even some parasites.
What are flies?
This meso-mammal accounts for less than 1% of rabies cases in the US due to its low resting body temperature.
What are Virginia Opossums (Didelphis virginiana)?
This is a crustaceous respiratory parasite that has been brought to Florida’s native snake populations likely through invasive Burmese Pythons.
What is a pentastome?
This fungal disease is characterized by white fungal growth that degrades tissue across the muzzles and wings of hibernating bats.
What is White-Nose Syndrome (WNS)?
An integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems through interdisciplinary collaboration.
What is One Health?
This species of tick is known for carrying Lyme Disease most commonly in the Northern and Central parts of the U.S.
What is the Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis)?
This common Florida reptile is known for being a carrier of West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Mycoplasmosis, Salmonellosis, and more.
What is the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)?
This neurological disease causes rear leg weakness, partial paralysis, and disorientation in Florida panthers and bobcats. It is a pressing issue, and its etiology is still unknown.
What is Feline Leukomyelopathy (FLM)?
This zoonotic disease caused by a spirochete bacteria can be carried subclinically by wildlife and is spread via infected animals urinating in bodies of water and other organisms drinking from that water source.
What is Leptospirosis?
This term describes a species in which a pathogen can multiply to high levels, increasing the risk of transmission to other animals and humans.
What is an amplifier species?
This genus of biting midges is the primary vector for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in white-tailed deer.
What is Culicoides?
This species of raptor can carry Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, West Nile Virus, and a virus that is genetically similar to that of human Hepatitis C.
What is the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)?
This condition is seen in Florida Manatees and is caused by harmful algal blooms, resulting in clinical signs such as severe congestion, neurological deficits, and respiratory issues.
What is Brevetoxicosis?
This fungal disease causes skin degradation in amphibians, and is often fatal.
What is Chytridiomycosis?
This term means… “Relating to or denoting a disease that regularly affects animals in a particular district or at a particular season.”
What is enzootic?