Wildlife Zoonoses for the Veterinary Practitioner

There is increasing concern regarding wildlife zoonoses. It is important that veterinarians are able to give their clients and the general public appropriate advice regarding the potential risks, what to do in the event of possible exposure, input regarding early recognition of the signs of wildlife zoonotic infections, and practical advice to prevent or reduce exposure to wildlife zoonotic pathogens. This advice is summarized for a variety of wildlife zoonoses in North America including rabies, hantavirus, tularemia, plague, psittacosis, baylisascaris, alveolar echinococcosis, arthropod-borne encephalitis, tick-borne diseases, and food safety related to game meat.