Amphibian Disease Watch
Monitoring threats. Connecting experts. Protecting amphibians.
Report a ConcernAmbystoma maculatum · Photo: Molly Bletz
What the Amphibian Survival Alliance Is Doing
Coordination, not duplication
When disease threatens amphibian populations, the response depends on coordination. Researchers lead research. Agencies lead regulation. ASA leads coordination.
Responding
The Disease Alert system on this page is part of a standing response architecture designed to serve the network now and scale for future threats. This is not a one-time effort. It is a permanent program.
Monitoring
Our intelligence team tracks emerging disease threats through scientific literature, partner reports, and field observations across six continents so the network doesn't have to watch alone.
Connecting
When a threat emerges, our 92 partners, working in 38 countries, become a distributed detection and response network. We match needs to capacity: laboratory access, veterinary expertise, emergency resources.
Listening
Reports submitted through this page, whether from a research station or a living room, help build the global picture. You don't need credentials to notice something wrong. Early detection depends on many eyes.
Communicating
From situation reports and partner advisories to practitioner guidance in our Pathogen Pulse column, we translate complex science into clear, actionable information the network can use immediately.
Equipping
The biosecurity guidance on this page is written for everyone: field researchers, captive breeders, hobbyists, educators. If you keep amphibians, you have a role in disease prevention.
See something? Say something.
You don't need to identify the pathogen. You don't need to be a scientist. If something looks wrong, we want to hear about it.
Report if you observe:
- •Unusual mortality in amphibian populations (captive or wild)
- •Skin lesions, sloughing, discoloration, or bleeding
- •Behavioral changes: lethargy, loss of righting reflex, abnormal posture
- •Any suspected disease event outside normal patterns for your region or species
When reporting, include: photos, location, date, and species if known.
Submit a report
All reports are reviewed by Molly Bletz and ASA's disease response team and routed to appropriate specialists. Your information is handled confidentially.
Submit a Reportor email disease-alert@amphibians.org
In AmphiBios
Pathogen Pulse: Biosecurity Matters
Dr. Molly Bletz's recurring column connecting the amphibian conservation community around disease. Practitioner-focused guidance for the field.
Read in AmphiBiosUnknown Pathogen Affecting Salamanders
United States · First identified November 2025
An unknown pathogen was identified in captive salamanders in the United States. Research is ongoing at multiple institutions to identify the pathogen, develop diagnostics, and assess the risk to captive and wild populations.
What is known (per PARC):
- ●Transmissible through direct contact and indirectly through contaminated soil and water
- ●Mortality rates of 35–55% in known affected collections
- ●Three species affected to date in captivity: Fire Salamander, Alpine Salamander, and Near Eastern Fire Salamander
- ●Clinical signs: irregular or improper skin sloughing, dark dry patches, lesions, bleeding, behavioral changes (see video guide)
- ●A multi-institution research team expects improved understanding by summer 2026
Do not move, sell, transport, or dispose of potentially sick animals without professional guidance.
For the full scientific advisory, visit PARC's Pathogen Alert page·Contact us directly
Protect your site. Protect your species.
Basic biosecurity is your first line of defense. Whether you work in the field, manage a collection, or run a breeding program, these practices reduce disease transmission.
In the Field
- ✓Disinfect footwear and equipment between sites using 1% Virkon or 10% bleach with appropriate contact times; rinse and dry thoroughly
- ✓Do not move animals between sites or introduce new individuals without veterinary guidance
- ✓Minimize handling; use clean gloves and change them between animals
- ✓Document unusual mortality, lesions, or behavioral changes with photos and GPS coordinates
In Captive Collections
- ✓Quarantine all new arrivals for a minimum of 30 days before introducing them to existing animals
- ✓Test new arrivals for known diseases such as Bd and Ranavirus as soon as they arrive and at the end of the quarantine period
- ✓Control access to captive collections and use footbath mats
- ✓Do not release captive animals into the wild without disease screening and appropriate permits
- ✓Do not share water, substrate, or equipment between enclosures without thorough disinfection
- ✓Isolate affected animals immediately and contact an amphibian veterinarian for guidance
Always
- ✓If you find sick or dead amphibians, contact a veterinarian or wildlife agency and report it through this page
- ✓Keep detailed records of your animals' health, origins, and any introductions to your collection
- ✓Source amphibians only from verified, reputable suppliers with clear provenance
- ✓Stay informed: follow Pathogen Pulse in AmphiBios for practitioner-focused disease updates
Detailed Guides
NEPARC Field Disinfection Protocol
Step-by-step field equipment disinfection procedures
HTI Captive Biosecurity Guide
Biosecurity protocols for captive amphibian collections
ARG UK Fieldworker Guide
Amphibian disease precautions for UK fieldworkers
CITES Amphibian Trade Summary
Status, management, and trade in amphibians (Section 3: disease)
We don't work alone
These organizations lead the science, the trade policy, and the field response. ASA connects them to the conservation community.
Scientific Advisory
PARC Pathogen Alert
Unknown pathogen affecting salamanders — full advisory and updates
Preparedness
Bsal Task Force
North American strategic plan for salamander chytrid preparedness
Reporting
Herp Disease Alert System
PARC's disease reporting system for amphibians and reptiles (US)
Trade & Biosecurity
Healthy Trade Institute
Amphibian trade biosecurity, forward tracing, and policy advocacy
European Response
Bsal Europe
European research and response coordination for salamander chytrid
Wildlife Health
ZSL Garden Wildlife Health
UK-based amphibian and wildlife disease surveillance and reporting
Expert Network
ASG Disease Working Group
The ASG's thematic authority on amphibian disease, bringing together leading experts to guide research priorities and conservation action
Disease Data
AmphibiaWeb Disease Portal
Global amphibian disease data, mapping, and diagnostic resources
Regional Program
BC Amphibian Health
British Columbia's amphibian health monitoring and conservation program
The next detection could be yours
Field researcher, keeper, hobbyist, hiker — if you notice something wrong, your report could be the one that changes the response.
Report a ConcernAnaxyrus americanus · Photo: Molly Bletz