There are many issues to be aware of when encountering and
handling animals, including diseases, methods of handling and
precautions. You can ensure greater safety by reviewing this
information about public health concerns and general
precautions. Diseases of wildlife can cause significant illness
and death to individual animals and can significantly affect
wildlife populations. Wildlife species can also serve as natural
hosts for certain diseases that affect humans (zoonoses). The
disease agents or parasites that cause these zoonotic diseases
can be contracted from wildlife directly by bites or
contamination, or indirectly through the bite of arthropod
vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and mites that have
previously fed on an infected animal. These zoonotic diseases
are primarily acquired in certain locations, occupations or
recreational activities. Biologists, field assistants, hunters
and other individuals who work directly with wildlife have an
increased risk of acquiring these diseases. Some indiv