No, Damage Control Agents are independent agents who are licensed by the state. Those animals that are a possible carrier for rabies cannot be located. Also, releasing animals without knowing if it carries a disease such as distemper could put the whole population in that area at risk. |
Click "Diseases" to expand. Zoonotic Diseases: Risks of Working With Wildlife Direct: Coming into contact with mucosa or open wounds of infected bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, or urine. A virus spread directly or indirectly (dust with droppings) by deer mice, rice rats, white-footed mice or cotton rats. The incubation period is 1-6 weeks. General symptoms (see below) but can be deadly. A fungus spread by inhalation of spores from bat and bird droppings. The incubation period is 1-14 days. General symptoms (see below). Histoplasmosis is often subclinical however, young and older people are at risk of developing more serious symptoms. Brucellosis is a disease spread by bacteria from swine and deer by both direct and indirect contact. Incubation is 6-180 days. Symptoms are of the general (see below) at first then can develop into a debilitating disease. It is very hard to treat. Tularemia is a disease spread by bacteria from direct contact with rabbits and rodents in general, beavers, horse flies and indirectly with ticks. Incubation is 1-14 days. General symptoms (see below). It has a 300/0 mortality rate. Baylisarcaris, glardiasis, hookworms, toxocariasis are parasites spread by direct contact with the feces of many species through ingestion and direct skin contact. Incubation can be days to months. Symptoms range from mild (diarrhea) to severe (vision loss, hepatitis, neurologic symptoms). Children are most affected. 80% mortality rate when not treated. LaCrosse Encephalitis (LACV) is spread by the tree hole mosquito in the spring to late fall. General symptoms (see below) can become severe encephalitis in children under 16. West Nile Virus (WNV) Humans are accidental hosts with 1-150 having severe symptoms. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEEV) 3-5% of people infected will develop EEE. 30% of infected people DIE within 10 days. Survivors will have severe sequelae. **General symptoms: Flu like symptoms, fever, weakness, dizziness, body aches, skin rashes and or joint pain. |