Wildlife and Public Health - Handling Wildlife
There is an abundance of fascinating wildlife in tropical north Queensland. Their habits and behaviours can be observed and enjoyed by all with some basic and simple precautions.
Native animals such as wild birds, kangaroos, wallabies, bats, rodents and reptiles have the potential to transmit to humans infections such as gastroenteritis, skin infections, chest infections, and flu-like illnesses.
Transmission of Infections
Transmission may be by:
-
direct contact during handling of animals, through bites and scratches or
-
indirect contact through urine, faeces, secretions or objects contaminated with these materials.
Prevention in the Wild or at Petting Zoos
-
The risk of transmission of disease can be reduced by adopting general principles of health and hygiene, in addition to implementing reasonable precautions regarding the handling of animals:
-
Hand-washing with soap is the single most effective technique to prevent transmission of infection. Adequate hand washing facilities should be available within all areas where animal contact occurs. Facilities should include posted instructions for hand-washing.
-
Eating, drinking, and smoking should be discouraged in all areas where animal contact occurs. Facilities for human food consumption should be located separate from these areas.
-
Young children should be closely supervised to ensure compliance with hygiene measures.
-
Persons with a compromised immune system (individuals with diabetes, chronic viral disease including HIV, chronic liver or kidney disease, individuals who have had their spleen removed or are on drugs which affect the immune system); the elderly and pregnant women should be discouraged from direct or indirect animal contact.
Links
References
Chin J. (Ed.) Control of Communicable Diseases Manual. 17th edition. 2000 American Public Health Association
See also: marine stingers | snakes | leeches
Go back to the list of topics:
top
of page
Other languages