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Zoonotics and Showers

Zoonotics and Showers

What do zoonotics and showers have in common? Workers have many ways to protect themselves, such as gloves, HEPA filter masks, and vaccinations. While protective equipment is essential, many wildlife control operators are not aware of the threat they pose to their families.

The Risk to Families

Consider the following scenario. The WCO has had a long day at work, handling lots of animals and entering several attics or crawl spaces. He comes home. As he comes through the door, his 5-year-old daughter rushes to him and wraps her arms around his legs. Did the daughter inhale any infectious dust from the pants?

A Simple Strategy to Reduce Risk

  1. Be aware of the risks. Learning about zoonosis is the first step to protecting yourself against them.

  2. Change clothes and shower before you sit on the sofa or greet family. You should clearly distinguish between work clothes and non-work clothes. Just as pest control operators sustain chemical spray on their clothes requiring removal, so too WCOs get infectious agents on their clothes. Place clothes in laundry and get into the shower. Soap and water can do a lot to protect you and your family from infectious diseases. It’s not perfect but it helps.

  3. Showers allow you to look at your skin for ectoparasites like ticks. Ticks and other ectoparasites also can carry infectious agents. So the sooner they are removed, the more likely you will avoid disease transmission.

Bottom line

Remove work clothes and shower before you settle in at home.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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Getting WCOs Prepared for Zoonotics

Getting WCOs Prepared for Zoonotics

Zoonotics are diseases transmitted from wildlife to humans. While trappers have been working with wildlife for centuries, it is still important for wildlife control operators (WCOs) and pest control operators (PCOs) to be aware of the zoonotics risks involved in controlling wildlife. Failure to be aware means that workers will not be prepared for wildlife diseases.

USGS and CDC card for zoonotics
A card to help keep your doctor prepared for zoonotics that may be causing you illness.

Doctors Are Not Looking for Zoonotics

Medical students have a saying, “When you hear hoof beats, don’t look for zebras.” The point is think of the obvious causes not the obscure. House M.D. may make good T.V. but it’s not normal or typical medicine. Unfortunately, for WCOs, we’re not normal. Unlike the general public, we are involved and in close contact with wildlife. So make sure you remind your doctor that you work with wildlife. How do you get your doctor prepared for zoonotics? Keep reading and download a copy of the zoonotic card.

Get Educated

Read the policy of the USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services regarding zoonotics http://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/pdf/APHIS260a.pdf   It can provide your company with a good start for establishing policies to protect your employees from zoonotics.

Carry the Card

To help remind your worker and his/her doctor that these ordinary sniffles might be from a zoonotic origin, have them carry the “card.”  Use the wording found here http://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/pdf/APHIS260a.pdf and put your own company info on it. Remind your workers regularly to ensure that they show medical personnel about their activities with wildlife.

While the illness may not be zoonotic in origin, it might. It is good to be safe.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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