Wildlife Diseases and Public Health

Many serious diseases, called zoonoses, can be spread from wildlife to humans. Some diseases have devastating consequences.  Learning about wildlife diseases and public health is important.   The potential for disease transmission is an important issue, not only if you have a problem with wayward wildlife on your property, but also if you end up with a wildlife issue in your home or business, or you simply spend time enjoying the great outdoors.

Lyme Disease in San Bernardino County

 

Viral and Bacterial Diseases

CDC: Rabies

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis-Dogs (Vaccinate to Keep Your Dogs Healthy)

Rat Bite Fever

Plague

Plague Found in Ground Squirrels-San Diego

Campground Closed After Ground Squirrel Tests Positive for Plague-Los Angeles County

Plague Detected in Lake Tahoe Area

CDC: Reported Cases of Human Plague in the United States 1970-2012

CDC Facts About Plague

Plague Ecology in the United States

Bubonic Plague Exposure Found in San Jacinto Mountains Squirrels (Riverside County)

Plague Closes Three Campgrounds Near Wrightwood

Other Flea and Tick-Borne Diseases

 Murine Typhus Fever

Lyme Disease

Ehrlichiosis

Babesiosis

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Anaplasmosis

 Rabbit Fever (Tularemia)

Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever

Tick Paralysis

Common Source Outbreak of Relapsing Fever — Big Bear California

Diseases transmitted to Humans by Internal Parasites

Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris)

Giardia

Cryptosporidium 

 In the event of an outbreak it is critical that the origin of the original disease is located.  These diseases are often detected when dead or dying animals are found, wildlife management officials notice irregular animal behavior, or when regular surveillance testing by state or county officials reveals the presence of diseases in wildlife. If animals have been released to other areas, there is no way to determine the initial location of an outbreak.  Don’t be the vector-do not trap and release wild animals!

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