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You are here: Home / Archives for zoonotics

February 10, 2020 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Is Raccoon Urine Dangerous?

Chances are you have never given raccoon urine a second thought, let alone considered the question of its risks. Sure you probably would avoid raccoon urine because, it’s urine. But grossness of urine aside, we should avoid raccoon urine because it can harbor a bacteria that causes a disease called leptospirosis.

How You Contract Leptospirosis

Raccoon urine can transmit leptospirosis
Raccoon urine can transmit leptospirosis. Photo: USFWS.

People typically contract the disease through direct contact with contaminated urine or contact with contaminated water or soil. Since most people will avoid raccoon urine, most exposures occur through exposure to contaminated materials. For example, consider raccoons living under a deck or in an attic. A repair person enters the crawl space or attic without proper personal protective equipment. As he crawls, micro-abrasions on the skin contact contaminated material thereby introducing bacteria into the body. If the exposure is more than what his immune system can fight off, then anywhere between 2 days or 4 weeks, he will get sick.

Symptoms of Leptospirosis

In the early progression of the disease, the symptoms of leptospirosis are rather vague and may be interpreted as having “the Flu.” Body aches, fever, head ache, chills, diarrhea, vomiting and others are common symptoms. Keep in mind, that exposure to the bacteria does not necessarily result in infection. Sometimes, the body fights off the infection. Victims may feel poorly but since they recover, they likely think they were exposed to something else.

Treatment of Leptospirosis

Fortunately, antibiotics can treat the disease. But treatment should not be delayed. Approximately 10% of victims develop a severe and life-threatening infection. Some people have died.

Bottom Line

Get trained in the use of personal protective equipment and wear it before entering areas where raccoons have been living. Tell family members and your doctor that you have worked in areas where raccoons have been present. One more thing, raccoons are not the only animal that can shed leptospira bacteria. So treat all wildlife as potentially hazardous. Enjoy them at a distance and avoid their poo and urine.

To learn more about leptospirosis visit the Centers for Disease Control

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}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. 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.

Filed Under: Diseases Tagged With: bacteria, leptospirosis, raccoon urine, Stephen M. Vantassel, zoonotics

June 3, 2019 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Plague (Yersinia pestis)

Plague, scientific name Yersinia pestis, is a bacterial infection that can kill its victims in a few days. You are probably more familiar with the word used in the phrase “The Black Plague” that struck Europe in the 13th-15th centuries. While you may think the plague is a just a disease of the Middle Ages, plague continues to threaten animal and human health here in the United States.

Plague first appeared in the United States in San Francisco in 1900. From there it spread to rats and California ground squirrels.

Oriental flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) associated with plague transmission.
Oriental flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) associated with plague (Yersinia pestis) transmission. Photo: Ken Gage/CDC.

While fleas were suspected in transmitting plague as early as 1898, it wasn’t proven until William Glen Liston demonstrated that fleas spread plague in 1905. Fleas spread plague by biting an infected victim, obtain the bacteria, then transmit that bacteria onto uninfected victims upon biting them. Although plague can be spread by coughing (called pneumonic plague), this transmission method is not as common.

Today, plague has spread across the west as far as the Missouri River. Fortunately, plague only affects a few people each year in the United States. While that is good news, its rarity also means that those who get infected may not think they have plague and delay receiving life-saving treatment.

So, if you live in plague country (the western half of the United States, here are a few facts to reduce your risk of contracting this lethal disease.

  • Avoid areas with populations of rats, ground squirrels and prairie dogs.
  • Understand that even if you don’t enter those areas, your cat or dog may bring the fleas to you. In fact, cats are a significant source of plague infections in the U.S. (this is one reason to keep your cat indoors).
  • Be aware that you live in plague country. If you develop symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, and fatigue, consider the possibility that you have plague. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Lymph nodes near the exposure site become enlarged, typically the groin, armpits, or neck.
  • Symptoms appear two to six days following the exposure.
  • Plague can be contracted by handling wild animals such as when hunting, trapping, or during the fur handling process. It is a good practice to kill fleas before handling carcasses. Wear protective gloves as infection can occur through exposure to contaminated animal tissues.

    House cat is a common source of fleas that cause plague (Yersinia pestis).
    House cat is a common source of fleas that cause plague (Yersinia pestis) .
  • Advise your doctor of your activities as he/she may not automatically think of plague when you relate your symptoms. Learn about getting prepared for zoonotics if you work with wildlife.

Follow the above steps/principles and the likelihood of your contracting plague will be extremely low.

If you wish to have additional information visit https://www.cdc.gov/plague/index.html or read Abbott, R.C. and Rocke, T.E. 2012. Plague. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1372. 79p.

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}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. 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.

Filed Under: Diseases Tagged With: disease, Featured, house cats, plague, Stephen M. Vantassel, zoonotics

March 12, 2019 by Stephen M. Vantassel

10 Facts about Raccoon Roundworm

Raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, is a nematode that lives in the intestines of many raccoons. There the worms shed eggs that exit the raccoons through the feces. Since raccoons tend to defecate in the same locations, known as toilettes, these sites pose risks to those who encounter the contaminated soils. What follows is 10 facts about raccoon roundworm.

Baylisascaris larvae emerging from an egg: U.S. Govt. Wikimedia.
Baylisascaris larvae emerging from an egg: U.S. Govt. Wikimedia.
  1. A raccoon can have 20,000 to 26,000 of roundworm eggs in a gram of feces.
  2. Raccoons can become infected by ingesting infective eggs or by eating animals already infected with the worms.
  3. Children are the most likely to be infected because they are more likely to play in contaminated areas and put their dirty hands in their mouth.
  4. The roundworm has been found to infect more than 100 species of animals, including dogs.
  5. Raccoon roundworm can damage organs, eyes, and cause encephalitis (i.e. inflammation of the brain).
  6. Roundworm eggs can survive for years in moist conditions, such as shaded soils.
  7. Roundworm eggs can be killed by exposure to prolonged sunlight, dry conditions, or temperatures above 144 degrees F.
  8. There are no products registered for the disinfecting roundworm eggs on surfaces.
  9. When surveys have been done, raccoon roundworm has been found throughout the United States, with only one exception.
  10. Signs of infection in animals include, lethargy, ataxia, circling, loss of fear of humans, slow arching of head and neck, slow movements, leaning, etc.

Sources:

Kazacos, Kevin R. 2001. Baylisascaris procyonis and related species. Parasitic Diseases of Wild Animals: Endoparasites Part II. Chapter 11. pp.301-341.

Murray, William J. and Kevin R. Kazacos. 2004. Raccoon Roundworm Encephalitis. Clinical Infectious Diseases. Nov. 15. Pp. 1484-1492.

Shafir, Shira C.; Wei Wang, Frank J. Sorvillo, Matthew E. Wise, Laurel Moore, Teresa Sorvillo, and Mark L. Eberhard. 2007. Thermal Depth Point of Baylisascaris procyonis Eggs. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 13:1(Jan): 172-173.

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}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. 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.

Filed Under: Safety, zoonotic Tagged With: Baylisascaris procyonis, raccoon, raccoon roundworm, Stephen M. Vantassel, zoonotics

July 26, 2016 by Stephen M. Vantassel

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.

Filed Under: Diseases, Publications, Safety Tagged With: commensals, diseases, pests, Stephen M. Vantassel, urban, world health organization, zoonotics

July 8, 2012 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Indiana Wildlife Disease News

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.

Update (June 20, 2020). It appears the newsletter is no longer active. But you can view the archives at Indiana Wildlife Disease News.

 

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}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. 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.

Filed Under: zoonotic Tagged With: Indiana Wildlife Disease News, Joe Caudell, Stephen M. Vantassel, wildlife diseases, zoonotics

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      • Wildlife Removal Handbook
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