Journal of Wildlife Diseases

Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Title	Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Discipline	Veterinary medicine, Wildlife biology, Epidemiology
Language	English
Publisher	Wildlife Disease Association
Country	United States
Frequency	Quarterly
ISSN	0090-3558
EISSN	1943-3700
Website	https://www.jwildlifedis.org/
Editor	Dr. Christopher A. Cleveland
Impact-year	2022
Impact	1.3
Abbreviation	J. Wildl. Dis.
CODEN	JWIDAP
LCCN	74646530
OCLC	1783074

Journal of Wildlife Diseases is a peer-reviewed scientific periodical that serves as a primary forum for research on the health and diseases of free-ranging and captive wild animals. Published quarterly by the Wildlife Disease Association, it features original investigations on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and ecology of diseases affecting species ranging from invertebrates to mammals. The journal is a cornerstone resource for professionals in veterinary medicine, wildlife management, and public health, addressing issues like zoonotic disease transmission and conservation biology.

History and scope

Established in 1965, the publication emerged from the growing recognition of disease as a critical factor in wildlife population dynamics and ecosystem health. Its scope encompasses the study of infectious agents such as avian influenza virus, Mycobacterium bovis, and Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus causing white-nose syndrome in bats. Research also covers non-infectious threats including toxicants like lead poisoning in condors, nutritional diseases, and the health impacts of environmental change. The journal's purview extends globally, with studies from institutions like the United States Geological Survey and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

Abstracting, indexing, and impact

The journal is indexed in major databases including the Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, and PubMed Central, ensuring broad dissemination of its research. According to the Journal Citation Reports, it holds an impact factor that reflects its influence within the fields of veterinary sciences and zoology. Its articles are routinely cited in reports by agencies such as the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, informing policy on issues like chronic wasting disease management and SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife.

Editorial policies and peer review

The editorial board, comprising experts from institutions like the University of Georgia and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, oversees a rigorous single-blind peer review process. The journal adheres to ethical standards for animal welfare as outlined by organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association and requires declarations of potential conflicts of interest. All submissions must present original data, and the journal follows guidelines from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors for authorship and reporting.

Content and article types

Primary content includes original research articles detailing field studies or laboratory experiments, often involving techniques like PCR and serology. Other formats include review articles synthesizing knowledge on topics like brucellosis in ungulates, case reports of novel disease presentations, and short communications for preliminary findings. The journal also publishes editorials, book reviews, and announcements from the Wildlife Disease Association, covering events like its annual conference in locations such as Knoxville, Tennessee.

Publisher and access

The Wildlife Disease Association, a professional society founded in 1951, publishes the journal. While the primary format is online, print subscriptions are available. Access is through a subscription model, with members of the association receiving the publication as a benefit. Selected content, such as articles concerning emerging infectious diseases, may be made freely available under open access policies, and back issues are archived in repositories like JSTOR.

Related publications

The journal exists within a network of specialized periodicals including the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, EcoHealth, and Preventive Veterinary Medicine. It shares thematic links with broader publications like Emerging Infectious Diseases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Conservation Biology from the Society for Conservation Biology. The Wildlife Disease Association also produces related materials such as the Technical Review series and newsletters from its regional branches like the European Section.

Category:English-language journals Category:Veterinary medical journals Category:Wildlife conservation Category:Quarterly journals Category:Publications established in 1965