Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin

Assessment of biosecurity practices in wildlife rehabilitation facilities in the United States: implications for COVID-19 and emerging diseases

2026-03-30T19:58:25+00:00

Implementation of biosecurity measures is essential in wildlife rehabilitation facilities (WRFs) to reduce disease transmission between wildlife and their human caretakers. Emerging pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, prompted enhanced guidelines, but the extent of facility adherence was unclear. A biosecurity assessment was conducted with U.S. wildlife rehabilitation facilities to capture facility characteristics and disease mitigation practices (e.g., quarantine, cleaning, disinfection, use of personal protective equipment). Responses were categorized into eight themes informed by NWRA and CDC recommendations and the hierarchy of controls (engineering and administrative controls, personal protective equipment). Facilities were scored for reported implementation or adherence, with a maximum score of 48. High adherence was defined as ≥39 points (80% threshold). Sixty-five facilities completed the assessment, representing diverse operational capacity and infrastructure. The mean total adherence score was 32.83 (SD = 8.33). Most facilities (71.7%) demonstrated weak alignment with biosecurity themes, while fewer than one-third (28.3%) reported strong alignment. Several practices to reduce SARS-CoV-2 risk, such as staff and volunteers isolating when sick, were sustained beyond the pandemic. However, mask-wearing (87.9% vs. 29.3%, p < 0.0001) and vaccination (67.2% vs. 34.5%, p < 0.001) requirements declined significantly. This study highlights both strengths and opportunities to improve biosecurity across wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Inconsistent adherence, particularly with administrative controls, underscores the need for targeted training, clear guidance, and scalable, facility-specific strategies. Sustained education and organizational support can reinforce proactive, prevention-focused practices, strengthen resilience to emerging zoonoses such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, and safeguard human and wildlife health.

Diagnosis and treatment of a multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii necrotizing fasciitis with critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in a five-month-old North American beaver (Castor canadensis)

2026-01-11T17:15:10+00:00

A five-month-old North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) undergoing wildlife rehabilitation in Mississippi (MS) USA developed a necrotizing fasciitis across the thoracic and buccal region bilaterally along with weight loss and lethargy. Culture indicated a monomicrobial, multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection. This case demonstrates a potential reservoir in the coastal Mississippi environment with implications for animal and human health. Treatment consisted of amikacin, subcutaneous fluids, prednisone, meloxicam, surgical debridement, topical medications, fluorescent light energy therapy and photobiomodulation. The beaver made a full recovery. Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging opportunistic bacterial pathogen traditionally associated with hospital-acquired infections. This is the first known case of a North American beaver with A. baumannii necrotizing fasciitis with critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency.

Osteoma in the oral cavity of a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

2025-07-24T08:49:58+00:00

Tumors in skunks are not well-documented in the literature and are thought to occur relatively uncommonly. During an annual physical examination of a three-year-old, female, captive, education-program skunk at Mercer County Wildlife Center in New Jersey, two hard, spherical masses were found on the lateral gingiva of each maxilla. The right mass measured approximately 8 × 8 ×15 mm, and the left mass measured approximately 5 × 5 × 5 mm. The masses were pedunculated, and the degree of invasiveness could not be determined on pre-surgical radiographs. The masses were easily removed, and post-removal radiographs showed minimal bone lysis. Histopathology revealed an unencapsulated, but well-defined osteoma composed of organized trabeculae of woven bone in a loose connective tissue matrix. No such neoplasm in the oral cavity of a skunk has been recorded previously in the literature.