While you take steps to protect yourself from seasonal illnesses, Ontario’s wildlife faces serious health threats they can’t prevent on their own. Two dangerous diseases – bird flu and rabies – pose significant risks to the province’s animal populations, with 547 confirmed cases of avian influenza and 56 rabies cases reported in recent years.
These wildlife diseases don’t just affect animals – they can impact human health and safety too. Understanding how to identify signs of illness in wild animals and knowing the proper precautions to take can help protect both wildlife and your community. Whether you’re a homeowner, outdoor enthusiast, or someone who occasionally encounters wildlife, staying informed about these diseases is crucial for everyone’s wellbeing.
Common Wildlife Diseases in Ontario
Ontario’s wildlife faces several significant diseases that impact animal populations and pose potential risks to human health. The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative monitors these diseases through active surveillance programs.
Bird Flu and Avian Influenza
Highly pathogenic avian influenza affects wild birds and poultry flocks across Ontario. The current virus strain is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. Signs include sudden death, lack of coordination and swelling around the head.
Chronic Wasting Disease
CWD affects deer, elk and moose populations through a fatal neurological condition. While not detected in Ontario’s wildlife in the last couple years, this untreatable disease remains a significant concern. The disease spreads through direct contact between animals and contaminated environments.
- Rabies affects mammals through viral transmission
- Lyme disease spreads through tick bites
- West Nile virus transmits through mosquito vectors
- Sarcoptic mange causes severe skin infections
Disease Transmission and Risk Factors
Wildlife diseases in Ontario spread through various pathways, posing risks to both animals and humans. Understanding these transmission methods is vital for effective prevention strategies against zoonotic diseases.
How Diseases Spread to Humans
Zoonotic diseases are illnesses that can transfer from animals to humans. These diseases spread through the following means:
- Direct Contact: Touching infected animals or coming into contact with their bodily fluids, such as saliva, blood, or urine.
- Airborne Particles: Breathing in contaminated air, which may contain disease particles from infected wildlife or their habitats.
- Tick Bites: Being bitten by ticks carrying diseases like Lyme disease or Powassan virus.
- Mosquito Bites: Contracting diseases like West Nile virus through bites from infected mosquitoes.
- Contaminated Environments: Exposure to disease-causing agents in wildlife habitats, such as nests, dens, or burrows.
- Improper Handling: Handling sick or deceased wildlife without proper safety equipment.
- Rodent Proximity: Entering areas with high populations of rodents that may carry diseases like hantavirus.
- Tick-Infested Areas: Spending time in regions with dense tick populations, such as wooded or grassy areas.
- Feeding or Approaching Wildlife: Getting too close to wild animals, which increases the risk of exposure to diseases they may carry.
- Improper Cleanup: Cleaning animal droppings or waste without using appropriate protective equipment.
Safety Precautions and Prevention
Preventing wildlife diseases in Ontario requires a proactive approach to safeguard both human health and animal welfare. Adhering to safety measures, such as keeping pets vaccinated and employing proper wildlife handling techniques, is crucial to minimizing risks.
General Safety Guidelines
- Vaccinate Pets: Ensure your pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations, as mandated by Ontario regulations.
- Work in Ventilated Areas: When dealing with wildlife, prioritize outdoor or well-ventilated spaces to reduce exposure to airborne pathogens.
- Avoid Direct Contact: Never touch wild animals with bare hands, even if they appear healthy.
- Stay Upwind: During observation or necessary handling, remain upwind to minimize exposure to respiratory droplets or particles.
- Wear Protective Gear: Use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and eye protection to reduce risk.
- Maintain Hygiene in Wildlife Areas: Keep food, beverages, and tobacco products away from areas where wildlife might be present.
Proper Handling of Wildlife
- Wear Disposable Gloves: Use single-use gloves when handling wildlife to avoid direct skin contact.
- Use Protective Gloves: Employ cut-resistant leather gloves to shield against bites and scratches.
- Don Disposable Coveralls: For larger animals, wear coveralls to prevent contamination of your clothing.
- Keep a Safe Distance: Only approach wildlife if absolutely necessary, maintaining a respectful and safe distance.
- Remove Gear Safely: After handling wildlife, remove and dispose of protective gear carefully to prevent cross-contamination.
- Dispose of Contaminated Materials: Use sealed containers to dispose of any potentially infectious materials, including gloves and coveralls.
Cleaning and Disinfection
- Thoroughly Disinfect Surfaces: Clean all surfaces, tools, and equipment that have come into contact with wildlife.
- Wash Hands Properly: Scrub hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after handling wildlife or contaminated items.
- Use Alcohol-Based Sanitizer: If soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean Clothing and Footwear: After exposure, wash all clothing and footwear dedicated to wildlife handling separately from other laundry.
- Sanitize Tools Between Uses: Disinfect all tools and equipment between interactions with different animals to prevent disease transmission.
- Disinfect Rubber Boots: After exposure to animal fluids or contaminated areas, clean and sanitize rubber boots thoroughly.
Early detection of wildlife diseases in Ontario is essential for safeguarding both animal populations and human health. Watch for the following physical and behavioral indicators of illness:
1. Physical Symptoms
Diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and others often manifest through visible physical changes. Key symptoms include:
- Severe weight loss
- Excessive drooling
- Increased urination
- Breathing difficulties
- Difficulty swallowing
- Head tremors
- Lack of coordination
2. Behavioral Changes
Sick wildlife may exhibit unusual behavior that deviates from their normal patterns. Common behaviors to watch for:
- Isolation from herds or groups
- Reduced activity or lethargy
- Loss of fear toward humans
- Stumbling or unsteady movements
- Head drooping or low posture
- Disorientation and confusion
- Sudden aggression or erratic behavior
Reporting and Response
Ontario’s wildlife disease reporting system operates through dedicated channels managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC).
When to Contact Authorities
Contact authorities immediately when encountering:
- Dead cervids (deer, elk, moose, caribou)
- Multiple dead animals in one location
- Wildlife showing signs of illness like staggering or excessive drooling
- Animals exhibiting aggressive or unusual behavior
- Birds displaying neurological symptoms
Wildside Wildlife Removal & Prevention: Protect Your Home, Protect Ontario’s Wildlife
Wildside Wildlife Removal & Prevention is your trusted partner in safeguarding homes and communities from wildlife-related risks. Specializing in humane wildlife management, their team uses ethical techniques to safely handle intrusions without harming animals or disrupting ecosystems. With expertise in disease prevention, including risks like rabies and bird flu, they provide tailored solutions to protect your property and minimize health hazards.
Focusing on prevention, Wildside offers comprehensive inspections to identify entry points and signs of activity, sealing vulnerabilities to prevent future issues. By promoting harmony between humans and wildlife, they support Ontario’s ecosystem health.
Robert Liam Donnell, owner of Wildside Wildlife Removal and Prevention LTD, is a renowned figure in the wildlife removal industry with over eight years of experience. His company, celebrated for its ethical approach, is highly rated on platforms like threebestrated.com. Starting his career at 22, Robert has grown his business into a trusted brand, known for honest and effective wildlife solutions. He has also contributed to public awareness through a radio interview on AM900, discussing wildlife management nuances. An avid skier, golfer, and nature enthusiast, Robert’s personal interests complement his professional dedication. His achievements include high Google ratings for his new business, reflecting his commitment to customer satisfaction and ethical practices. Robert’s advice for success in this field includes persistence, honesty, and prioritizing customer needs. Discover more about his work at Wildside Wildlife Removal, where his passion for wildlife and customer care is evident in every service.
