When handling a wild animal, its parts, secretions, or excreta, the risk of acquiring a zoonotic infection increases. The habitat of the animal may also contain reservoirs of zoonotic disease. To protect yourself from infection, you should wear PPE like, appropriate gloves, eye protection, face mask, or a respirator. Best practices for trapping or darting of wildlife should be adopted. Also, always wash your hands when you’re finished. If you don’t have access to soap and running water in the field, be sure to carry hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Additional controls may be warranted for species that transmit serious disease, like getting rabies vaccination for handling bats and other carriers.
Different vertebrate species pose different risks. This section serves to alert you to the potential for risk, but is not intended to cover every possible health risk in every possible location. You will need to conduct additional research to ensure that you’re well protected. Always check with your health care provider before travelling out of the country to learn about specific health risks for the region in which you will conduct your research. Some of the more common location hazards associated with working with animals are provided in the next slide.
Location: Worldwide
Exposure Route: Infection from bite of animal infected with Lyssavirus
Symptoms: Spasms; paralysis; fatal without immediate treatment
First Aid: See a doctor IMMEDIATELY if bitten by a rabies-carrying species (e.g., bats, carnivores)
Prevention: Obtain a vaccine series if you will be working with bats or other carnivores; use extreme caution when handling these animals.
Location: Worldwide (especially Mississippi & Ohio River valleys)
Exposure Route: Inhalation of fungus from soil contaminated with bat or bird droppings
Symptoms: Mild flu-like symptoms; occasionally can turn into acute pulmonary histoplasmosis
First Aid: See a physician if you suspect histoplasmosis; typically clears up within 3 weeks
Prevention: Use caution when disturbing dry soils or working near bat or bird droppings; keep surfaces wet to reduce dust
Location: Worldwide
Exposure Route: Infection from flea bite; fleas are infected by rodents
Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms; nonspecific symptoms; swollen and painful lymph nodes
First Aid: Consult a physician if you suspect plague
Prevention: Use care when working in areas where plague is found; use caution when working with wild rodents; wear gloves and wash hands frequently
Location: Worldwide
Exposure Route: Ingestion, swimming, or other activities in water contaminated with the Leptospira bacteria; exposure to infected animals
Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms; occasionally more serious symptoms
First Aid: See a physician if you suspect leptospirosis
Prevention: Use care when working in the water, especially after a flooding event; avoid entering the water with open wounds
Location: North America
Exposure Route: Inhalation of dusts or aerosols from an infected deer mouse’s feces, urine, or saliva
Symptoms: Early (1 to 5 weeks): fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and sometimes headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal problems; Late (4 to 10 days after early symptoms): coughing, shortness of breath
First Aid: Seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY if you suspect HPS; likelihood of survival is greatly increased with early diagnosis and treatment
Prevention: Avoid contact with rodents, especially their feces
Also referred to as White Water Arroyo
Location: North America
Exposure Route: Inhalation of dusts or aerosols from infected rat feces, urine, or saliva
Symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle aches, severe respiratory distress (occasionally)
First Aid: Seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY if you suspect WWA; the likelihood of survival is greatly increased with early diagnosis and treatment
Prevention: Avoid contact with rodents, especially their feces