Wildlife-Related Health Risks and Safety Concerns

Wildlife health risks should be common knowledge. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of the dangers of brushes with wild animals. Some of the most commonly encountered wildlife in New Jersey are bats, birds, chipmunks, foxes, groundhogs, moles, opossums, raccoons, skunks and squirrels. There are plenty of other problem species, but these are among the most prevalent. If you encounter any of these animals on your property, it is important to have them removed as quickly as possible. Call Coastal Wildlife Removal at 732-655-WILD (9453) for expert removal service.

The main concern after coming into contact with wild animals is your safety. Many species carry diseases that can harm humans. These diseases are transmitted either physically through things like scratches and bites or through another medium such as food, water, or air. If you have recently come in close contact with wildlife, strongly consider seeking medical attention. Also, make sure to educate yourself about the animal you encountered and the specific risks involved.

HOW PEOPLE COME IN CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS AND WHAT TO DO

Any type of contact with wildlife in or around New Jersey can expose you to a number of health risks like disease, infection, and more. If you have recently come into contact with wild animals such as bats, birds, chipmunks, foxes, groundhogs, moles, opossums, raccoons, skunks and squirrels make sure to take appropriate action. Seek medical attention if necessary and make sure to educate yourself about the animal in question. For more information on disease transmission between animals and humans, read the CDC’s page on Zoonotic Diseases. If wildlife issues arise on your property, call NJ Coastal Wildlife Removal at 732-655-WILD (9453) for professional removal service.

Contact is classified into four categories: direct, indirect, vector-borne, and foodborne.

DIRECT CONTACT

Direct forms of wildlife contact include the following:

Scratches
Punctures
Stings
Contact with urine, feces, saliva, or other bodily fluids/secretions
Other manners of physical contact

INDIRECT CONTACT

Indirect forms of contact can be just as dangerous. Below are some examples of indirect contact:

Exposure to bacteria in aquarium tank water, chicken coops, plants, and soil
Breathing contaminated air
General contact with areas where animals live

FOODBORNE

Foodborne illness is a common issue, with just under 20% of Americans experiencing some sort of food-related sickness each year. This is often a product of consuming raw or undercooked meat, eggs, fish, fruits, or vegetables contaminated with feces from an infected animal.

MOST NOTABLE DISEASES TRANSMITTED BY WILDLIFE IN NEW JERSEY

Disease transmission is an unfortunate outcome that may present when exposed to wildlife. Many New Jersey species carry diseases that pose significant health risks to humans. Below, we will highlight some major diseases that can be transmitted by wild animals. These are a combination of the most prevalent and the most serious diseases. Even if you never contract one, it is helpful to be prepared with the knowledge to handle these diseases if the situation presents itself. If you believe you have contracted a disease from a wild animal, please seek medical attention immediately.

HISTOPLASMOSIS

Histoplasmosis is an infection that is usually contracted by breathing in fungal spores from bat or bird feces. The spores can also be found in contaminated soil, which puts gardeners, farmers, and landscapers at increased risk. The disease still poses a threat to those in New Jersey and surrounding areas. If you have a problem bats or birds on your property, call Wildlife Coastal Removal for high-quality removal service at 732-655-WILD (9453).

Symptoms

Histoplasmosis ranges in severity from unnoticeable to life-threatening. It somewhat depends on the individual’s age, immune system, and physical fitness. Some of the more common symptoms are as follows:

Chills
Chest pain
Dry Cough
Fever
Headache
Muscle Aches

These symptoms are common in many diseases, so do not panic if you feel one or more. However, be diligent in recognizing abnormal symptoms and get medical help if necessary.

More serious cases will affect nearly every body part, including your nervous system, and will definitely be noticeable. If serious issues present, get immediate medical attention.

Prevention

There are many things you can do to avoid contracting histoplasmosis, such as:

Avoid direct exposure to fungal spores by limiting contact with birds
Before working with soil, spray it with water to prevent the spores from becoming airborne
Use a proper face mask when you think you may come in contact with fungal spores

RACCOON ROUNDWORM

Raccoon roundworm is not commonly transmitted to humans but can be incredibly dangerous if it does. Raccoons make up the overwhelming majority of hosts for this parasite. In fact, about 70% of raccoons carry it. Humans can contract the disease by ingesting feces or contaminated soil, which means the most at-risk demographic is young children who don’t know better than to eat the soil.

If you are concerned that your child may have the parasite, please visit an emergency room near you. Understand, however, that there is no real test to diagnose this disease. Diagnosis depends on the ability to piece together the symptoms and their cause, so be thorough in your description of the events that led to contraction. If you have raccoons on your property, it is in your best interest to remove them immediately. Call Coastal Wildlife Removal for expert raccoon removal service at 732-655-WILD (9453).

Symptoms

The prognosis for those with raccoon roundworm is generally bad. Many cases end with severe, permanent neurological damage, as the parasite is prone to damage brain tissue. Larvae migrate towards the eyes and brain in nearly all cases, which can leave the infected human visually impaired as well as brain-damaged.

Prevention

The single best way to prevent this parasite is to keep raccoons away and avoid anything that may be contaminated with raccoon feces. If you believe you have accidentally come into contact with raccoon feces, wash thoroughly and monitor for potential symptoms of the raccoon roundworm parasite.

CONCLUSION

Understand that the chance of contracting many of these diseases is small, but remember to be careful at all times. The best way to prevent most wildlife-related diseases is to avoid contact with animals when possible and habitats where they usually live, as they may expose you to urine, feces, or other forms of contamination. Practice good hygiene and wash your clothes regularly. If you have problem animals on your property, get rid of them as quickly as possible by calling New Jersey’s best Wildlife Coastal Removal at 732-655-WILD (9453).