Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC

You are here: Home / Archives for zoonotics

by

Diseases of Urban Pests

The World Health Organization in Europe has published a book on the diseases of urban pests. Though this publication was produced in 2008, I recently became aware of it and wanted my visitors to be aware of it as well.

Public Health Significance of Urban Pests
Public Health Significance of Urban Pests, 2008

Understandably, the majority of the pages discuss diseases related to insects. The authors, however, didn’t neglect commensal rodents or birds. I looked at the bird chapter and it mentioned some diseases I don’t recall hearing before. If their treatment of birds is indicative of how they addressed other topics, then the authors pick a heading (ticks, fleas, commensal rodents, non-commensal rodents, etc.), summarize the research on diseases related to that topic and review their potential to cause harm to humans.

Though the book focusses on European concerns, it is still useful for us Americans. If you need information that is unbiased and thoroughly researched (as well as brief) on wildlife diseases, I strongly suggest you download the book today. Note that it is a big file. So be patient. I tried to  use Internet Explorer and the file wouldn’t open. Google Chrome worked fine.

It is available as a free download at http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/98426/E91435.pdf  Beware, it is a large book.

by Leave a Comment

The Indiana Wildlife Disease News

The Indiana Wildlife Disease News

Logo for the United States Animal and Plant He...
Logo for the United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, part of the Department of Agriculture. For more information, see the PDF usage guide. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wildlife control operators know that wildlife carry diseases that can be dangerous to their well-being and to that of their customers. However, information to improve their knowledge about those diseases is sometimes difficult to come by. Dr. Caudell of the USDA – APHIS – Wildlife Services is a disease specialist stationed in Indiana. One of his tasks is publishing a newsletter to inform readers about zoonotics and summarize recent findings concerning outbreaks.The newsletter is written for the public so technical jargon is kept to a minimum. You don’t have to worry about slogging through complex statistical analysis or genetic sequence information to get the information that will help you in your business. The newsletter can be read in just a few minutes and is laid out for easy reading.  Don’t be misled by the title. Though the emphasis is on diseases affecting that state, the information is applicable elsewhere.

While Wildlife Services is severely criticized by many wildlife control operators, Dr. Caudell’s publication should be one instance that brings praise. This newsletter is available to anyone at no charge. It is only available in digital format so you will need Adobe Acrobat reader (available free from Adobe.com)  in order to open the file. It is published about four times a year and is well worth receiving.

To subscribe, send an e-mail to jcaudell@aphis.usda.gov. If you’re worried about getting spammed, you can just as easily end your subscription by e-mailing the same address.

About the Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a certified wildlife control operator who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. His latest book is the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition. He can be contacted at stephenvantassel at Hotmail dot com.

 Copyright

All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included.

Enhanced by Zemanta

by

Zoonotics and Showers

Zoonotics and Showers

HAMBURG, GERMANY - JUNE 02: A lab technician ...
(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Wildlife control has many hazards. Diseases from wildlife is one of the most insidious because most infections manifest with “flu-like symptoms.” When wildlife control operators (WCOs) come down with aches, chills, fever, etc. they think they have the flu. While its possible that the worker has the flu (which is serious enough), it is also possible that he/she has any number of zoonotic infections.

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.

About the Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a certified wildlife control operator who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. His latest book is the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition. He can be contacted at stephenvantassel at Hotmail dot com.

Copyright

All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel. Text may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included.

Enhanced by Zemanta

by

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Logo of the Centers for Disease Control and Pr...
CDC provides quality information on diseases of concern to public health such as Hantavirus. Image via Wikipedia

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus infection is a serious disease contracted from inhaling or coming into physical contact with droppings and rodents contaminated with the virus. With a 30% death rate for those infected, it is scary enough to warrant caution.

Don’t be Paranoid Get Educated

The challenge in getting information on zoonotic diseases is to find information that is both accurate and readable. Thankfully, the good people at the Centers for Disease Control have created a booklet on the subject.

Download your pdf at http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/pdf/HPS_Brochure.pdf . You will be glad you did.

About the Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a certified wildlife control professional and is available for consultation, writing, research, and public speaking about wildlife damage management issues and the dangers of the animal rights protest industry.

 

 

 

 

Enhanced by Zemanta

by Leave a Comment

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 to be aware of the zoonotics risks involved in controlling wildlife.

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.

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.

About the Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a certified wildlife control operator who writes, speaks, and consults about wildlife damage management issues.