As warming weather brings humans and animals in closer contact, San Juan Basin Public Health reminds residents simple steps can prevent rabies, West Nile, hantavirus and other animal-borne diseases.
Control the presence of rodents and mosquitoes around homes.Wear insect repellent and appropriate clothing when heading outdoors.Keep pets up to date on vaccinations and protect pets from fleas and ticks.Do not to handle or feed wild animals, especially those that appear sick, and do not pick up dead animals or animal waste.Remember to speak to children about these precautions.When mowing or landscaping, don’t mow over sick or dead animals. When possible, check the area for carcasses before mowing. Use of masks during mowing and other landscaping activities may reduce risk of inhaling the bacteria, but this has not been studied.If hunting, trapping or skinning animals, use gloves, especially when handling rabbits, muskrats, prairie dogs and other rodents. Cook game meat thoroughly before eating.To learn more about symptoms, treatments and other information about animal-borne diseases, visit www.sjbpublichealth.org/communicabledisease.
To report an encounter with a suspect animal, call 335-2020.
