Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a chytrid fungus, which has been associated with numerous amphibian mortality events around the world. It is hypothesized that Bd was inadvertently spread through human activities. We have developed a basic risk assessment tool to better understand the potential risk of transferring Bd between water bodies through field activities, and to target disinfection strategies which reduce the risk of spreading Bd. The questions in the risk assessment focus on the likelihood of Bd being present at sites, the likelihood of transferring the pathogen from one site to another, and the impact of transferring the pathogen. Identified risk factors include the presence of amphibians in the visited areas, the presence of Bd in one or more of the sites and in the surrounding area, the number of visitors to the sites, direct contact with amphibians, and the sharing of equipment between sites. The risk assessment tool can be found on the Internet at: http://www.cefas.co.uk/4449.aspx.
References
Berger L, Speare R, Daszak P, Green DE, et al. (1998) Chytridiomycosis causes amphibian mortality associated with population declines in the rain forests of Australia and Central America. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 95:9031–9036
Johnson M, Speare R (2005) Possible modes of dissemination of the amphibian chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the environment. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 65:181–186.
Johnson ML, Berger L, Philips L, Speare R (2003) Fungicidal effects of chemical disinfectants, UV light, desiccation and heat on the amphibian chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 57:255–260.
O.I.E. (2006) Aquatic Animal Health Code, 8th ed., Paris: Office International des Epizooties.
Speare R (2001) Recommendations from workshop on getting the jump on amphibian disease. In: Developing Management Strategies to Control Amphibian Diseases: Decreasing the Risks Due to Communicable Diseases, Speare R, Steering Committee on Getting the Jump on Amphibian Disease (editors), Townsville, Australia: James Cook University, School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, pp 131–147.
Walker SF, Baldi Salas M, Jenkins D, Garner TWJ, Cunningham AA, Hyatt AD, et al. (2007) Environmental detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in a temperate climate. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 77:105–112.
Webb R, Mendez D, Berger L, Speare R (2007) Additional disinfectants effective against the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 74:13–16.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
St-Hilaire, S., Thrush, M., Tatarian, T. et al. Tool for Estimating the Risk of Anthropogenic Spread of Batrachochytrium denrobatidis Between Water Bodies. EcoHealth 6, 16–19 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-009-0227-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-009-0227-z