Several scientific meetings held at the end of the 1980s (Brussels 1987, Nancy 1991) highlighted the quality of European expertise in research and surveillance related to wildlife diseases and health (cf. Rev Sc Tech OIE 7(4), 1988; 11(4), 1992 & 12(1), 1993). The European section of the Wildlife Disease Association was created in 1993 with the purpose of organising biennial scientific meetings. The foundation meeting was on 3 and 4 February 1993, and the European section was officially approved by WDA council on 8 August 1993.

The members of this group have also increasingly developed other multi-lateral collaborative initiatives (e.g. joint research and publications, participation in conferences and various training courses, workshops on specific diseases such as chronic wasting disease and others) and research projects (e.g. IRAD/CSL post-doctoral project on bovine TB in badgers and wild boar).

Since 1993, the informal network created by these participants was solicited for surveillance data to provide an annual report to the OIE. For the past years, this report has been published in the News from Europe section of the WDA bulletin.

The European Wildlife Disease Association seeks to provide a forum for the exchange of information on wildlife diseases and their management. Through the provision of opportunities for networking, collaborative research and training, we seek to raise the profile of wildlife disease research and management.

Below, you can find information about the EWDA in different languages: