As humans and climate change alter the landscape, novel disease risk scenarios emerge. Understanding the complexities of pathogen emergence and subsequent spread as shaped by landscape heterogeneity is crucial to understanding disease emergence, pinpointing high-risk areas, and mitigating emerging disease threats in a dynamic environment. Tick-borne diseases present an important public health concern and incidence of many of these diseases are increasing in the United States. The complex epidemiology of tick-borne diseases includes strong ties with environmental factors that influence host availability, vector abundance, and pathogen transmission. Here, we used 16 years of case data from the Minnesota Department of Health to report spatial and temporal trends in Lyme disease (LD), human anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. We then used a spatial regression framework to evaluate the impact of landscape and climate factors on the spread of LD. Finally, we use the fitted model, and landscape and climate datasets projected under varying climate change scenarios, to predict future changes in tick-borne pathogen risk. Both forested habitat and temperature were important drivers of LD spread in Minnesota. Dramatic changes in future temperature regimes and forest communities predict rising risk of tick-borne disease.

Results indicated that funduscopically detectable chorioretinal lesions appear to be associated with WNV disease in hawks. Detection of ocular lesions may aid in antemortem or postmortem diagnosis of this condition.

Peregrine Falcons ( Falco peregrinus ) of seven subspecies from four continents were bred in captivity, and approximately 1173 of their progeny were released in the midwestern United States and adjacent regions of Ontario and Manitoba in an attempt to replace the original population that was extirpated by chlorinated hydrocarbon poisoning in the 1950s. We analyzed the success of individuals of the different subspecies introduced to the Midwest. Five of the seven subspecies released have contributed to the current breeding population. Subspecies of breeding Peregrine Falcons were equally represented when breeding birds of high productivity were compared with less prolific breeders. The subspecific makeup of the breeding population did not differ significantly from that of the released population, suggesting that adaptability in this species was sufficient to override genetic differences between subspecies. Peregrines of widely different genetic stocks have thrived after release, making substantial genetic contributions to the new population. Papel de la Condición Genética en el Exito de Halcones Peregrinos ReintroducidosResumen: Halcones peregrinos ( Falco peregrinus ) de siete subespecies de cuatro continentes fueron reproducidos en cautiverio y aproximadamente 1173 de sus descendientes han sido liberados en el oeste medio de los Estados Unidos y regiones adyacentes de Ontario y Manitoba en un intento por reemplazar a la población original que fue extirpada por envenenamiento con hidrocarburos clorinados en los años 50. Analizamos el éxito de individuos de las diferentes subespecies introducidas en el oeste medio. Cinco de las siete subespecies liberadas han contribuido a la población reproductora actual. Las subespecies de halcones reproductores estuvieron igualmente representadas cuando las aves de alta productividad fueron comparadas con los reproductores menos prolíficos. La composición subespecífica de la población reproductora no difirió significativamente de la población liberada, sugiriendo que la adaptabilidad de esta especie fue suficiente como para contrarrestar las diferencias genéticas entre subespecies. Los halcones peregrinos de grupos ampliamente diferentes han proliferado después de la liberación, aportando contribuciones genéticas sustanciales a la nueva población.

We conclude that more than one genotype of NDV circulates in waterfowl in the Upper Midwest region of the US. Continuous surveillance may help better understand the epidemiology of NDVs maintained in wild bird populations and their relationship to NDVs in domestic poultry, if any.

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