Epidemic viral diseases of wildlife ? sudden death in tammar wallabies, blind kangaroos, herpesviruses in pilchards ? what next?

Abstract

In Australia the impact of European settlement on the indigenous human population and on flora and fauna is inevitably the subject of ongoing speculation. Major changes have occurred as a result of urban and rural developments and the introduction of agricultural practices which collectively impact on the environment and ecosystems especially through land clearing, water use and modification of water courses and water catchments. From both a human and animal health perspective, the changes as viewed by the general public are perhaps not always apparent but the impacts are no less significant. A range of microbial pathogens, parasites and other pests have been introduced to populations that often have not encountered these challenges before. Our indigenous wildlife populations have not been immune from these threats. And, if we include aquatic as well as terrestrial species of ?wildlife?, and venture to our immediate coastline, in recent years there has been profound evidence of the impact that follows the introduction of an exotic pathogen.