Wildlife Surveillance Initiative

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

The Cook County Department of Animal & Rabies Control is tasked with the responsibility of protecting the public against the fatal disease of rabies and other zoonotic diseases that may be transmitted to the public through wildlife sources. Disease surveillance is a critical component of ongoing and effective wildlife management. Surveillance allows for the monitoring of the emergence or re-emergence of diseases not or currently in Cook County but that are of concern to wildlife, domestic animals and public health communities. Many infectious diseases of concern for public health have wildlife hosts. The Wildlife Surveillance Initiative was initiated in 2018 with the University of Illinois Zoological Pathology Program. Animal Control Wardens impounding wildlife take specimens for necropsy, especially in unusual circumstances. All wildlife submitted for evaluation are reported back to the department, which then determines what information needs to be distributed to stakeholders and to residents within the County.