Surveillance and monitoring programs are critical in determining if/where/when a health risk exists that may affect park visitors, employees, cultural and natural resources or the environment.

Mosquitoes do not abide by park boundaries; therefore parks are encouraged to contact local public health authorities and work cooperatively with county programs and other federal agencies in close proximity to ensure that park neighbors understand NPS policy concerning management of risk in accordance with Management Policies 2001, and to coordinate and share monitoring efforts and data on parkland.

Funding for managing the risks of WNV is the responsibility of the individual park and/or region. Neighboring parks in high-risk areas may consider supporting a shared- seasonal position to conduct monitoring/surveillance.

1. Determining Risk of WNV in your park. (select WNV)
   • What is the risk of WNV in your Park?
   • Do you need a surveillance/monitoring program?
   • Establishing a surveillance/monitoring program
   • Examples of park WNV monitoring /surveillance plans
2. Submitting animals for WNV testing.
   • Birds should be submitted through your local county public health organization. All results will be submitted to a nationwide database established by the CDC to track WNV.
   • If local public health organization cannot process birds from the park, you may submit carcasses to Dr. Emi Saito, National Wildlife Health Center for WNV testing. To submit specimens for testing to the NWHC, please follow all USGS NWHC shipping instructions. Additionally, complete and submit a USGS NWHC specimen submission form.
   • If WNV is suspected in other wildlife species or for information on wildlife disease diagnostic testing other than WNV, contact Dr. Margaret Wild, Biological Resource Management Division or visit NPS Wildlife Health Program.

-top-