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Froglife's work on amphibian disease, working with our partners
the Institute of Zoology, has been on-going for over 25
years. During this period we have collected information on
amphibian mortalities from thousands of gardens, recording
information on tens of thousands of dead amphibians.
In 2007 Froglife began assisting the Rana Project, a European
research project to monitor the spread of an amphibian disease
known as ranavirus. This virus can have a significant local
effect on frog populations. Many questions about the disease
have yet to be answered. The Rana Project is working to assess
the threat of systemic iridoviruses - ranaviruses - to farmed
and wild freshwater fish and amphibians.
Combining new laboratory methods for the detection and
differentiation of ranaviruses with a survey of ornamental fish
and pet or wild amphibians and a risk assessment model, the
project hopes to clarify the risk of ranavirus to the European
aquatic environment. When positive incidences of ranavirus are
reported to our Wildlife Information Service, Froglife passes
details on to to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and
Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) - as well as the Institute of
Zoology - so that specimens can be collected for further
analysis where appropriate.
The
latest information on
amphibian
disease in the UK.
Submit your records of amphibian disease.
Amphibian Health and Disease
(PDF).
Amphibian disease precautions
(ARG UK advice note (PDF)).
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