The Governors of the University of Calgary

Purpose

Two important bacterial zoonoses have recently emerged in Inuit Nunangat: Erysipelothrix, a novel cause of widespread mortality for muskoxen, and Brucella, which has increased in prevalence in caribou and muskoxen. Together, these diseases pose serious risks to the sustainability of these wildlife species upon which communities depend. Moreover, they are a public health risk for those handling or consuming country foods. We aim to bring together Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) and western knowledge to gain a better understanding of these emerging zoonoses and how they are impacted by climate change, and then use this knowledge to protect human health and inform wildlife management.