It is important to know about the common types of wildlife diseases if you live near wooded areas, frequently participate in outdoor activities, own pets, or work with animals. Infectious diseases carried by wild animals can be spread to both humans and pets. These are called zoonotic diseases, and there are more than 150 known to exist. Continue reading to learn about 3 specific zoonotic diseases that are frequently carried and spread by common North American wildlife.
Rabies
Rabies is one of the most well-known and feared infectious viral diseases. It is caused by a viral agent called Rhabdovirus, and it is transmitted via animal bite, which allows the contaminated saliva to enter the victim's blood stream. Symptoms vary and gradually get worse as the disease progresses, but common symptoms often include fever, malaise, confusion, disorientation, muscle paralysis, convulsions, excessive drooling, panting, and eventually, death.
For animals, Rabies is almost always fatal; once the disease has developed, there is no cure or treatment for dogs or cats. On the other hand, humans rarely die from Rabies because there are treatments available for people who are bitten by a rabid animal. Common carriers include raccoons, coyotes, foxes, bats, and skunks.
Leptospirosis
Although not as well-known as Rabies, Leptospirosis is another serious zoonotic disease carried and transmitted by wild animals. It is a bacterial infection caused by spirochaete bacteria of the genus, Leptospira. Common carriers include skunks, raccoons, deer, rabbits, moles, and opossums. But unlike Rabies, Leptospirosis is not transmitted by contaminated saliva; instead, it is transmitted through contaminated urine of an infected animal. Transmission occurs when infected urine, soil, or water comes into contact with abraded or wounded skin, or when ingested. Sometimes, a dog might drink from an infected puddle on the ground.
Most human cases of Leptospirosis are mild, and some people do not show signs of the infection at all. But if left untreated, Leptospirosis can lead to meningitis, which is a condition that causes the tissue membranes around the brain to swell. And this can be fatal. Treatment for humans and pets generally includes antibiotics, glucose and salt solution infusions, and in severe cases, dialysis.
Raccoon Roundworm
Raccoon roundworm goes by many names, and it's not exclusively carried and spread by raccoons. Scientifically, it is called Baylisascaris Procyonis. But its condition is known as cutaneous and visceral larval migrans. These are basically worms that penetrate the skin and localize in an area close to the surface, causing redness, inflammation, itchiness, and pain. Transmission occurs when the eggs of the parasite are ingested. They enter the intestinal track and migrate through the organs, towards the skin.
Ingestion of infected animal droppings are a common cause of transmission, as well as, ingesting food or water that is contaminated with the roundworm parasite. Severity of the infection depends on how many and which organs the parasites migrated to. If they migrate to the eyes, brain, or spinal cord, the damage can be irreversible.
Prevention
Maintaining good hygiene, vaccinations, and pet vaccinations are effective methods for protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your pets from an infectious wildlife disease. Also, professional wildlife control services can be very beneficial because they can protect your property from potential animal intrusions, damages, and dangers.
Rabies
Rabies is one of the most well-known and feared infectious viral diseases. It is caused by a viral agent called Rhabdovirus, and it is transmitted via animal bite, which allows the contaminated saliva to enter the victim's blood stream. Symptoms vary and gradually get worse as the disease progresses, but common symptoms often include fever, malaise, confusion, disorientation, muscle paralysis, convulsions, excessive drooling, panting, and eventually, death.
For animals, Rabies is almost always fatal; once the disease has developed, there is no cure or treatment for dogs or cats. On the other hand, humans rarely die from Rabies because there are treatments available for people who are bitten by a rabid animal. Common carriers include raccoons, coyotes, foxes, bats, and skunks.
Leptospirosis
Although not as well-known as Rabies, Leptospirosis is another serious zoonotic disease carried and transmitted by wild animals. It is a bacterial infection caused by spirochaete bacteria of the genus, Leptospira. Common carriers include skunks, raccoons, deer, rabbits, moles, and opossums. But unlike Rabies, Leptospirosis is not transmitted by contaminated saliva; instead, it is transmitted through contaminated urine of an infected animal. Transmission occurs when infected urine, soil, or water comes into contact with abraded or wounded skin, or when ingested. Sometimes, a dog might drink from an infected puddle on the ground.
Most human cases of Leptospirosis are mild, and some people do not show signs of the infection at all. But if left untreated, Leptospirosis can lead to meningitis, which is a condition that causes the tissue membranes around the brain to swell. And this can be fatal. Treatment for humans and pets generally includes antibiotics, glucose and salt solution infusions, and in severe cases, dialysis.
Raccoon Roundworm
Raccoon roundworm goes by many names, and it's not exclusively carried and spread by raccoons. Scientifically, it is called Baylisascaris Procyonis. But its condition is known as cutaneous and visceral larval migrans. These are basically worms that penetrate the skin and localize in an area close to the surface, causing redness, inflammation, itchiness, and pain. Transmission occurs when the eggs of the parasite are ingested. They enter the intestinal track and migrate through the organs, towards the skin.
Ingestion of infected animal droppings are a common cause of transmission, as well as, ingesting food or water that is contaminated with the roundworm parasite. Severity of the infection depends on how many and which organs the parasites migrated to. If they migrate to the eyes, brain, or spinal cord, the damage can be irreversible.
Prevention
Maintaining good hygiene, vaccinations, and pet vaccinations are effective methods for protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your pets from an infectious wildlife disease. Also, professional wildlife control services can be very beneficial because they can protect your property from potential animal intrusions, damages, and dangers.