We are conducting coordinated, targeted surveillance in wild deer populations across the USA to identify risk factors of pathogen transmission and persistence. Our approach includes repeated testing for pathogens of the same numerous deer populations while tracking deer movements. Our surveillance design is paired with advanced analytics to understand risk factors of pathogens in North American deer. Our surveillance system can be leveraged to understand drivers of transmission and persistence of deer diseases such as chronic wasting disease, bovine tuberculosis, blue tongue, and epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or any foreign animal disease that could emerge such as foot and mouth disease.
Disease Ecology
What ecological factors drive transmission and persistence of pathogens in wild deer populations?
Where and how might deer become infected?
Animal Movement
How does deer movement and social structure affect pathogen transmission in deer populations?
Is pathogen infection affecting deer movement?
Surveillance Design
What information is most important for understanding and predicting transmission of new diseases in free-ranging deer?
How do we gather that information most efficiently?
Contact
If you are a researcher working on a related project, interested in a position with us, or would like to know more about our group, we would love to hear from you!
Please email us at: Lauren.Elizabeth.Smith@usu.edu
​
Follow link to: Job opportunities page