A female mosquito (Aedes japonicus) reared from larvae collected from the Kawaikoi Stream, Kauai.
How do I handle a sick or dead animal that might have West Nile Virus?
Under normal conditions, humans are unlikely to be infected with West Nile Virus by handling a sick or dead animal. However, there are a number of other infections that could potentially result from handling an animal. To protect yourself from exposure to any illness, you should wear gloves or put a plastic bag over your hand before touching the animal and you should wash your hands with soap and water immediately afterward. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has detailed recommendations for ways that outdoor workers or laboratory, field, and clinical workers can protect themselves from infection.
Related
Are birds the only species that is susceptible to West Nile Virus infection?
Can my dog or cat get West Nile Virus by eating an infected animal?
How do I know if an animal is infected with West Nile Virus?
Is there a West Nile Virus vaccine available for birds?
Can hunters get West Nile Virus from eating infected game birds?
What is the threat from West Nile Virus (WNV) to endangered and threatened bird species?
Where in the United States has West Nile Virus been detected in wildlife?
What is chronic wasting disease?
What is Avian Influenza?
What is White-nose Syndrome?
A female mosquito (Aedes japonicus) reared from larvae collected from the Kawaikoi Stream, Kauai.
Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.
Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.
USGS Alaska Science Center biologists Andrew Ramey and John Reed travelled to Japan to capture spring staging northern pintail ducks in collaboration with researchers from the University of Tokyo, Satoyama Research Society, and Kucharo Lake Waterfowl Observatory.
USGS Alaska Science Center biologists Andrew Ramey and John Reed travelled to Japan to capture spring staging northern pintail ducks in collaboration with researchers from the University of Tokyo, Satoyama Research Society, and Kucharo Lake Waterfowl Observatory.
Scientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
Scientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
A USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza.
A USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Diann J. Prosser examining a ruddy shelduck in China. Dr. Diann J. Prosser was awarded the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Diann J. Prosser examining a ruddy shelduck in China. Dr. Diann J. Prosser was awarded the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
USGS scientists capture and release wild birds while monitoring for West Nile.
USGS scientists capture and release wild birds while monitoring for West Nile.
Researchers from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center examine a duck as part of part of efforts to identify, track, and prevent wildlife disease.
Researchers from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center examine a duck as part of part of efforts to identify, track, and prevent wildlife disease.
Safe work practices for working with wildlife
Information to prevent human exposure to disease agents associated with wildlife—U.S. Geological Survey circulars on zoonotic disease
Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases
Why bother about wildlife disease?
American white pelicans breeding in the northern plains: productivity, behavior, movements, and migration
U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 2011 report of selected wildlife diseases
Climate change and wildlife health: direct and indirect effects
Disease emergence and resurgence—the wildlife-human connection
Effects of West Nile Virus
USGS West Nile Virus Research Strategy
Related
Are birds the only species that is susceptible to West Nile Virus infection?
Can my dog or cat get West Nile Virus by eating an infected animal?
How do I know if an animal is infected with West Nile Virus?
Is there a West Nile Virus vaccine available for birds?
Can hunters get West Nile Virus from eating infected game birds?
What is the threat from West Nile Virus (WNV) to endangered and threatened bird species?
Where in the United States has West Nile Virus been detected in wildlife?
What is chronic wasting disease?
What is Avian Influenza?
What is White-nose Syndrome?
A female mosquito (Aedes japonicus) reared from larvae collected from the Kawaikoi Stream, Kauai.
A female mosquito (Aedes japonicus) reared from larvae collected from the Kawaikoi Stream, Kauai.
Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.
Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.
USGS Alaska Science Center biologists Andrew Ramey and John Reed travelled to Japan to capture spring staging northern pintail ducks in collaboration with researchers from the University of Tokyo, Satoyama Research Society, and Kucharo Lake Waterfowl Observatory.
USGS Alaska Science Center biologists Andrew Ramey and John Reed travelled to Japan to capture spring staging northern pintail ducks in collaboration with researchers from the University of Tokyo, Satoyama Research Society, and Kucharo Lake Waterfowl Observatory.
Scientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
Scientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
A USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza.
A USGS scientist takes a sample from a northern pintail duck (Anas acuta) to be tested for avian influenza.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Diann J. Prosser examining a ruddy shelduck in China. Dr. Diann J. Prosser was awarded the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Diann J. Prosser examining a ruddy shelduck in China. Dr. Diann J. Prosser was awarded the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
USGS scientists capture and release wild birds while monitoring for West Nile.
USGS scientists capture and release wild birds while monitoring for West Nile.
Researchers from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center examine a duck as part of part of efforts to identify, track, and prevent wildlife disease.
Researchers from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center examine a duck as part of part of efforts to identify, track, and prevent wildlife disease.