Human Diseases from Wildlife presents information on the most prevalent and serious zoonotic diseases in the US and Canada, some of which have been national headline news like anthrax, influenza, and West Nile virus. Diseases that are caused by pathogens with the ability to infect both humans and animals are known as zoonotic diseases, which literally means "disease from animals."
The issue of human–wildlife disease interactions is a growing concern as humans continue to interface with wildlife. People who handle wildlife including field workers, wildlife professionals, trappers, and hunters want to know about potential diseases, risks, and how to protect themselves from disease.
This book was written because many people are uninformed about zoonotic diseases. This lack of information causes some people to have a heightened fear of zoonotic diseases, preventing them from enjoying wildlife or spending time outdoors. Other people needlessly expose themselves to disease by neglecting simple precautions.
This book includes information on bacterial, spirochetal, rickettsial, and viral diseases as well as macroparasites and emerging zoonotic diseases. More than two dozen diseases are covered including rabies, tularemia, baylisascariasis, salmonellosis, leprosy, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and swimmer’s itch.
Each chapter contains the history of the disease, symptoms in humans, medical treatment, transmission of pathogens to humans, the role of wildlife as vectors, and methods to minimize risk. The diseases people can contract from wild animals can be both threatening and fascinating, and the book includes interesting information to make it more enjoyable to read.
Introduction
BACTERIAL DISEASES
Plague
Brucellosis
Tuberculosis
Tularemia
Leprosy
Anthrax
Rat-Bite Fever
Salmonellosis
Escherichia coli and Other Foodborne Diseases
Psittacosis and Other Zoonotic Diseases Caused by Chlamydia Species
SPIROCHETAL DISEASES
Leptospirosis
Lyme Disease
Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever
RICKETTSIAL DISEASES
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fevers
Q Fever and Coxiellosis
Epidemic Typhus and Murine Typhus
Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis
VIRAL DISEASES
Rabies
Encephalitis: Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan
West Nile Virus and Other Diseases Caused by Flaviviruses: Yellow Fever, Dengue, St. Louis
Encephalitis, Japanese Encephalitis, Powassan Encephalitis, and Deer Tick Virus
Colorado Tick Fever and Human Diseases Caused by Bunyaviruses: La Crosse Encephalitis,
California Encephalitis, Cache Valley Virus, and Jamestown Canyon Virus
Hantaviruses
Influenza
FUNGAL DISEASES
Cryptococcosis
Histoplasmosis
PRIONS
Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease in Humans, Chronic Wasting Disease in Cervids, Mad Cow Disease
in Cattle, and Scrapie in Sheep and Goats
PARASITES
Baylisascariasis and Raccoon Roundworms
Trichinellosis
Swimmer’s Itch and Giardiasis
Appendix A: Definition of Medical Terms Used in This Book
Appendix B: Scientific Names for Species Mentioned in This Book
Appendix C: Photos of North American Ticks, Lice, and Fleas That Can
Transmit Diseases from Animals to Humans
Appendix D: Zoonotic Diseases Covered in This Book
Index
Biography
Michael Conover is a professor in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University. He received both an MS and PhD in zoology from Washington State University. He was a National Needs Postdoctoral Fellow in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at the University of California, Irvine, a position supported by the National Science Foundation. He is the editor of the journal Human-Wildlife Interactions and founding director of the Berryman Institute.
"This book would be useful to all who encounter zoonotic diseases in the course of their practice and may need a quick, but thorough, compilation of relevant information and resources for zoonoses, whether caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi."
—Katherine A. Feldman, Center for Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland, in Clinical Infectious Diseases"This book is a remarkable source of very specific information on a diversity of important zoonotic parasites and pathogens. One reason for the high value of this book lies in the organization of the contents, and the ease with which information on any specific disease can be accessed. A second reason for the high marks is the quality of the information provided, and it makes one appreciate the amount of research that the authors invested in this project. All the information is authoritative, and clearly well-researched, but presented in an easily-readable style. This would be an excellent reference book for any animal biologist interacting with zoonotic pathogens."
—Michael Sukhdeo, Rutgers University, in Journal of Parasitology"…a unique compilation of information on more than 70 zoonoses that is likely to become a common reference text among wildlife students and professionals but also should serve as an important resource for hunters, trappers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who are at increased risk of exposure to zoonotic diseases. I recommend this book for anyone that works with or handles wildlife either recreationally or professionally and those generally interested in expanding their knowledge of zoonotic diseases."
—James C. Beasley, University of Georgia, in The Journal of Wildlife Management"This well-written, informative work presents a good general overview of the most common and dangerous zoonotic diseases…. Numerous sidebars present a wide range of interesting topics related to each disease. Medical jargon is kept to a minimum, and though the material discussed is complex, it is presented in a highly readable format that will appeal to readers with a wide range of backgrounds and interests. Summing Up: Highly recommended."
—D. A. Brass, Independent Scholar, from CHOICE Magazine, April 2015"...written in an easy-to-read style and my perusal of sections about which I have no detailed knowledge indicated this was the case....I would recommend this book for libraries in particular, or even individual use for those wanting such a book."
—W. (Bill) E. Pomroy, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand, in Veterinary Parasitology"Michael Conover and Rosanna Vail have compiled an extensive array of information concerning Human Diseases from Wildlife, including 4 appendices and a lengthy topical index. It will be a welcome addition to most veterinary, medical, and public health school libraries....It will be an asset for "one health"-related courses, and serve as a ready reference for students wishing to know more about zoonotic diseases associated with wildlife."
—S. W. Jack, DVM, MS, PhD, Professor of Pathobiology & Population Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, USA, in Canadian Veterinary Journal
