Using community surveillance data to differentiate between emerging and endemic amphibian diseases

Abstract

We analyzed submission data from a wildlife care group during amphibian disease surveillance in Queensland, Australia. Between January 1999 and December 2004, 877 whitelipped tree frogs Litoria infrafrenata were classified according to origin, season and presenting category. At least 69% originated from urban Cairns, significantly more than from rural and remote areas. Total submissions increased during the early and late dry seasons compared with the early wet season. Frogs most commonly presented each year with injury, followed by 'other', sparganosis and irreversible emaciation of unknown aetiology. This is the first report of Spirometra erinacei in - fection in this species. A high preva..