Center, Internet, Wildlife Damage Management
Human–Wildlife Interactions
Human Diseases from Wildlife: A Review
Date of this Version
Spring 2015
Document Type
Article
Citation
Human–Wildlife Interactions (Spring 2015) 9(1): article 15
doi: 10.26077/10me-yr38
Abstract
Identifying and understanding diseases that can be transmitted between humans and wildlife has always been important for those who routinely work with wildlife. People who work in a direct, hands-on capacity with wildlife have a heightened chance of coming into contact with a causative agent that could result in a disease. However, for many wildlife biologists, the basic training they receive as an undergraduate may not include a course in wildlife diseases. Also, many professionals working in the private sector of the wildlife damage-control industry are just as likely not to have had any significant training or experience with wildlife diseases. This information is especially important to protect themselves, family, and even their domestic animals from potential diseases. The recent publication of the text Human Diseases from Wildlife by Michael R. Conover and Rosanna M. Vail fills the knowledge gap of many public and private sector professionals.
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Overall, however, the authors Human Diseases from Wildlife have done an excellent job culling a broad range of technical material and presenting it in an easy-to-read, conveniently thematic format for a wide audience. I believe this text will serve as a valuable reference for wildlife biologists, private nuisance wildlife control operators, rehabilitators, or anyone who routinely comes into intimate contact with wildlife.