Health Risks
Protect Your Loved Ones
Learn the Threats Posed by Wildlife to Human Health
The obvious risks posed by wildlife to humans include bites. However, there are other risks that are more difficult to see. Zoonotic diseases are those that are spread from animals to humans. Microspores, parasites, or viruses are often responsible for the transmission of these diseases through contaminated air, water, or animal waste. Our goal is to help you avoid unnecessary risks related to wildlife problems.
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Bats
Diseases Carried- Rabies: Fungal disease contracted through contact with bat guano.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Rabies, Bats, Education
- Histoplasmosis: Virus transmitted through bites or handling a diseased bat.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Fungal Diseases, histoplasmosis
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Birds
Diseases Carried- Histoplasmosis: Fungal disease contracted through contact with bird droppings.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Fungal Diseases, histoplasmosis
- Cryptosporidium: A parasite that causes a diarrheal disease. Contracted through contact in recreational water (pools, lakes, rivers) or drinking water.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Parasites, Cryptosporidium
- Salmonellosis: Usually known as food poisoning, the bacteria is found in bird droppings and dust from droppings sucked through AC units.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Salmonella
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Fox, Coyote
Diseases Carried- Rabies: Virus transmitted through bites or handling a diseased fox.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Rabies
- Echinococcus multilocularis (fox tapeworm): Parasite shed in feces and transmitted by contact with humans or pets.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Parasites, Echinococcosis
- Sarcoptic mange: A mite carried by fox and coyote that can infect dogs, humans, horses, and cattle.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Parasites, Scabies
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Opossums
Diseases Carried- Leptospirosis: Bacterial disease affecting humans and pets.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Leptospirosis
- Coccidiosis: An internal parasite transmitted through feces primarily to dogs, cats, chickens, and cattle.
- Pet Education Coccidia (Coccidiosis)
- Equine protozoal Myelonencephalitis (EPM): A protozoal parasite transmitted by sporocysts on grass, feed, or water causing neurological damage.
- American Association of Equine Practitioners Horse Health
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Racoons
Diseases Carried- Rabies: Virus transmitted through bites or handling a diseased raccoon.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Rabies
- Baylisascaris: A roundworm parasite transmitted through contact with droppings and airborne eggs.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Parasites, Baylisascaris
- Leptospirosis
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Leptospirosis
- Giardia: A parasite that causes diarrheal illness. Most commonly transmitted through water.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Parasites, Giardia
- Equine protozoal Myelonencephalitis (EPM): A protozoal parasite transmitted by sporocysts on grass, feed, or water causing neurological damage.
- American Association of Equine Practitioners Horse Health
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Rats
Diseases Carried- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): This virus is transmitted though dust contaminated with rodent urine or droppings or direct contact with infected rodents.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Hantavirus (HPS)
- Leptospirosis: Bacterial disease affecting humans and pets.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Leptospirosis
- Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM): Virus transmitted through dust or direct contact with contaminated urine and droppings.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)
- Salmonellosis: Usually known as food poisoning, the bacteria is found in food or water contaminated by rat feces.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Salmonella
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Skunks
Diseases Carried- Rabies: Virus transmitted through bites or handling a diseased skunk.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Rabies
- Baylisascaris: A roundworm parasite transmitted through contact with droppings and airborne eggs.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Parasites, Baylisascaris
- Leptospirosis: Bacterial disease affecting humans and pets.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Leptospirosis
- Distemper: Contagious virus transmitted through airborne exposure and contact with wild animals.
- American Veterinary Medical Association Canine Distemper
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Squirrels
Diseases Carried- Ticks and fleas: These can infect people and pets, as well as carry diseases such as Lyme disease and plague.
- Leptospirosis: Bacterial disease affecting humans and pets.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Leptospirosis
- Salmonellosis: Usually known as food poisoning, the bacteria is found in food or water contaminated by squirrel feces.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Salmonella
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Ringtails
Diseases Carried- Rabies: Virus transmitted through bites or handling a diseased animal.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Rabies
- Baylisascaris: A roundworm parasite transmitted through contact with droppings and airborne eggs.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Parasites, Baylisascaris
- Leptospirosis: Bacterial disease affecting humans and pets.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Leptospirosis
- Giardia: A parasite that causes diarrheal illness. Most commonly transmitted through water.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Parasites, Giardia
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Ensure a wildlife-free property. Request our team’s assistance by calling (210) 379-8514 or filling out our online contact form.
