The group with primary responsibility for leadership in monitoring and disease surveillance in wildlife in the United States is the:

The group with primary responsibility for leadership in monitoring and disease surveillance in wildlife in the United States is the:

• A. CDC
• B. APHIS
• C. USDA-NWDP (National Wildlife Disease Program)
• D. USGS

Answer: (C)

The key thing to understand is who coordinates wildlife disease monitoring across the United States. The National Wildlife Disease Program, which operates under USDA APHIS, is the group that provides leadership for wildlife disease surveillance. It sets national priorities, develops sampling and reporting guidelines, and works with state, tribal, and federal partners to collect and share wildlife health data. While agencies like CDC focus on human health and USGS conducts wildlife health research, the NWDP is specifically designated to lead and coordinate wildlife disease surveillance nationwide.

The key thing to understand is who coordinates wildlife disease monitoring across the United States. The National Wildlife Disease Program, which operates under USDA APHIS, is the group that provides leadership for wildlife disease surveillance. It sets national priorities, develops sampling and reporting guidelines, and works with state, tribal, and federal partners to collect and share wildlife health data. While agencies like CDC focus on human health and USGS conducts wildlife health research, the NWDP is specifically designated to lead and coordinate wildlife disease surveillance nationwide.