Diseases and Parasites

Wildlife can carry infectious diseases or parasites. Some of these diseases and parasites can spread to humans. Zoonosis is an infection or disease that is transmitted from animals to humans.

To protect against these risks:

• Wear latex gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing when handling wildlife or scat.
• Wash hands and arms thoroughly with soap and water after handling animals.
• Do not use household knives or utensils.
• Disinfect knives, fleshing tools, cutting surfaces, fleshing boards, and other equipment after use. Use a solution of 1 cup household chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water.
• Do not approach animals that seem sick, act strange, or exhibit any symptoms of disease.
• Do not drink lake or stream water that has not been purified, preferably by boiling.
• Cook all wild game properly.

Visit the CDC website for a list of animal diseases.