Fish & Wildlife Health Committee

National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative Toolkit

The National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative Toolkit is a collection of electronic resources to help in assessing fish and wildlife health preparedness in your agency.

The materials and documents include a copy of the National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative along with a list of Steering Committee representatives. The toolkit contains information and sample language related to state and federal authorities to manage diseases in fish and wildlife, as well as the recently updated internal memo from USDA-APHIS-Veterinary Services describing VS’ animal health policy memo as it relates to wildlife. 

Also included are sample disease response plans and case histories of wildlife disease detection and response. Position descriptions for fish and wildlife health professionals and for state fish and wildlife health programs are included to provide guidance to those of you who are developing or enhancing your state’s programs.

National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative Toolkit (PDF)
- Cover letter

Fish and Wildlife Health Committee: Chapter 1
 - Fish and Wildlife Health Committee Description
 - National Fish and Wildlife Health Steering Committee Description
 - Steering Committee Member list
 - National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative & Steering Committee Charter

Federal & State Authorities: Chapter 2
- State's Authority to Manage Wildlife
- Sample Language - Minnesota Statute
- USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Authorities
- Veterinary Services Wildlife Policy and Stakeholder Letter
- USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Authorities
- State Wildlife Management Agency Responsibility for Managing Diseases in Free-ranging Wildlife
- Conflicts of Authority and Strategies to Address Wildlife Diseases

Case Histories: Chapter 3
- Bovine TB in Minnesota's Deer Herd
- CWD in West Virginia

Response Plan Examples: Chapter 4
- Michigan's Avian Influenza Response Plan
- Michigan's CWD Plan
- Great Lakes Fish Health Committee Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Recommendations

Sample Position Descriptions: Chapter 5
- State Wildlife Veterinarian
- State Wildlife Health Specialist
- Fish Health Specialist

Additional Reference Materials: Chapter 6
- Checklist of Important Contacts
- National Animal Health Emergency Management System Guidelines
- The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)

National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative Toolkit - All Chapters (PDF)

Contact

For more information about the Fish and Wildlife Health Committee, please contact Gary Taylor at 202/624-7890 or gtaylor@fishwildlife.org.

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