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What Diseases Do Wild Animals Carry



Humans interact with wild animals sometimes either directly or indirectly. In most cases, the wild animals invade our homes while looking for food, shelter and a breeding ground. Wherever there are wild animals, there will always be diseases that can be transmitted to humans. These wildlife diseases are liable to cause significant illness and even death to humans. Wild animals are also natural hosts of parasites that cause human diseases. Such parasites or disease carrying agents, also known as arthropod vectors, are fleas, ticks, mites, and mosquitoes among others. They feed on wild animals and then come and infect humans through contamination or even bites.

Some of the diseases

Rabies – rabies is one of the most common and dangerous diseases that is mostly transmitted to man through a bite or scratch from infected animals. This fatal disease is caused by the rhabdovirus virus, and it infects all warm-blooded animals. The disease affects the central nervous system and is always fatal if treatment is not begun soon after exposure to the virus.

Raccoon Roundworm
– raccoons have an intestinal roundworm known as baylisascaris. Baylisascaris eggs are often present in raccoon feces, and thus people who come into contact with the poop will get infected. They can also be found in contaminated water, soil, or other objects.

Anthrax
– this disease is commonly found in wild and domestic herbivore animals. It is caused by spore-forming bacteria. People get infected by handling infected products from animals such as hides, wool, leather, fur or even by eating infected undercooked meat.

Bird flu
– Avian influenza is caused by the avian influenza A virus. These viruses are found naturally in wild water birds. These birds then infect other birds and animals. People then get infected by coming into contact with infected animals.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
– this is a severe respiratory disease that is caused by inhaling dust that has been contaminated with mice and deer droppings, saliva or urine.

Leptospirosis
– this is a rare but serious disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

Leptospirosis
– this is another bacterial disease that infects a wide range of animals and humans. Animals like dogs, cattle, raccoons, pigs, and rodents carry the bacteria and pass them in their urine.

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