Survey of Wildlife Rehabilitators on Infection Control and Personal Protective Behaviors

Authors

  • Emi K. Saito National Wildlife Health Center, US Geological Survey
  • Allison R. Shreve National Wildlife Health Center, US Geological Survey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v23.202

Keywords:

Zoonoses, disease prevention, personal protection, disinfection, survey, West Nile virus, mosquito protection

Abstract

Wildlife veterinarians and rehabilitators treat a number of wildlife species that can carry infectious and zoonotic diseases. These can rapidly spread within a facility and to the caregivers when adequate measures are not taken. Financial constraints and reduced access to laboratories often limit identification of disease etiology of many cases admitted into wildlife rehabilitation centers. A survey to investigate willdife rehabilitator illness during the 2002 West Nile virus season indicated that many rehabilitators do not follow adequate protective measures in their facilities and may not seek medical care when disease symptoms arise or even linger. The recommended precautions and proper infection control measures for those handling and housing wildlife cases should be discussed between rehabilitators and their attending veterinarian(s).

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Author Biographies

Emi K. Saito, National Wildlife Health Center, US Geological Survey

Dr. Saito is currently affiliated with the US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Natlional Center for Animal Health Surveillance, Ames, IA

Allison R. Shreve, National Wildlife Health Center, US Geological Survey

Dr. Shreve is currently affiliated with the Wildlife Care Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL

References

Friend, M. 2001. Wildlife Rehabilitation and Disease Emergence: Opportunities, Challenges and Responsibilities. Pp. 3–20 in Wildlife Rehabilitation, Vol. 19 (D. Ludwig, ed). National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association: St. Cloud, MN.

Hodge, G. 1991. The Pocket Guide to the Humane Control of Wildlife in Cities and Towns. The Humane Society of the United States.

Komar, N. 2003. West Nile Virus: Ecology and Epidemiology in North America. Advances in Virus Research 61:185–234.

McLean, R. G. 1994. Wildlife Diseases and Humans, in Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage. Pp. A25–A41. Cooperative Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Miller, E. A., editor. 2000. Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation, 3rd edition. National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association: St. Cloud, MN.

Wolf, L. 1995. Zoonoses: What you don’t know can hurt you. NWRA Quarterly. 13(2):5–10.

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Published

2005-12-31

How to Cite

Saito, E., & Shreve, A. (2005). Survey of Wildlife Rehabilitators on Infection Control and Personal Protective Behaviors. Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin, 23(2), 42–46. https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v23.202