WILD TURKEYS AS MONITORS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Abstract

Abstract Wildlife are usually considered vectors, reservoirs, or primary targets of infectious disease. This paper illustrates that they can also serve as sentinels of disease activity. In Texas, the Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) is well suited to monitor St. Louis encephalitis, Western encephalitis, and vesicular stomatitis. Criteria essential to the use of wildlife for “sentinel” duty are discussed.

Keywords

• Zoonoses
• wildlife disease
• Meleagris gallopavo intermedia