SURVEILLANCE

Early diagnosis of diseases in wildlife populations can prevent biodiversity loss. The rapid identification of the problem (infectious or non-infectious) can lead to the fast and correct implementation of control measures to stop the cause of decline.  

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Therefore, with this pillar we focus on the early warning and signaling of diseases and (mass) mortality events in  wildlife in Flanders. The gained knowledge about endemic and epidemic diseases can be shared and used as a basis for advice on the control of these diseases and the possible risks for humans, domesticated and wild animals.

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Investigation of (unusual) mortality:

If you would like to have the mortality of wild animals investigated (= determine the cause of death), please contact us at whgsurveillance@ugent.be for more information about prices and shipping. The cadaver(s) must be delivered to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Merelbeke, specifically to the Pathology department (entrance 76) and is ideally packed in a double plastic bag (with application form). An application form can be completed at the cooled storage room (on-site) or found here.