About WDA 2026

The 74th Annual International Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association will be held in Chicago, Illinois, United States. This year’s theme is "Thriving Together: Urban One Health and Ecosystem Resiliency."

With over half of the world’s population living in urban areas, the need to develop conservation plans that work within these urban landscapes and at interfaces has never been greater. In 2026, we will prioritize accessibility to cutting edge information and strategies addressing earth’s most critical wildlife health issues. We will also nurture effective science communication to generate proactive, positive policy outcomes and to galvanize the public in support of wildlife conservation initiatives.