UAT

Bats and other species can get histoplasmosis and spread the fungus in their droppings. 

Histoplasmosis is not visible to the naked eye and can only be seen with a microscope. Time from exposure to showing signs of infection can take 3-17 days. Signs and symptoms of histoplasmosis include fever, cough, fatigue, chills, headache, chest pain, and body aches. 

Histoplasmosis does not affect bats or birds that carry the fungus in their feces. The fungus only effects other animals or humans that breathe in the spores. 

Histoplasmosis is more likely to affect people who have HIV/AIDs or a weakened immune system. Most people who breathe in the spores do not get sick. Those who do get sick have flu-like symptoms and get better on their own without medication. However, individuals with weakened immune symptoms can develop a severe infection, especially if the infection spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body. Dogs and cats are also susceptible to this disease. 

If there are bird feces or bat guano in or near your home, you should have it cleaned up, if possible. If it cannot be cleaned up, the area should be left undisturbed. Large accumulations of bat feces can create health concerns when it is in a confined, indoor space where it could dry out and become dust-like. See this document for how to safely clean and remove bat droppings or hire a professional company.

White-nose Syndrome affects bats. Only bats that hibernate for the winter are susceptible to WNS and smaller species (e.g. little brown bats and tricolored bats) are more at risk than larger species.

One of the primary signs of WNS is the presence of white fungus on a bats face, wings, ears and/or tail. It can also cause holes and spotting to occur on the wings of affected bats. Bats flying around outside during colder temperatures, or clustered on the ground near the entrance of hibernation sites (e.g. caves, buildings, trees) are also possible indicators that these have contracted WNS.

WNS is known to cause mass mortality rates with 90-100% bat mortality reported in some caves. 

There is no evidence that suggests that humans or any other animal can contract WNS. However, it is possible for fungal spores from the disease to survive for long periods of time on human clothes and hiking equipment, so it is important to disinfect your shoes, clothes, and accessories if you visit areas where bats are known to hibernate.

Many bird species have been reported with avian influenza. Avian influenza viruses are primarily found in aquatic birds and poultry. Waterfowl and shorebirds are considered reservoirs for avian influenza meaning they can carry the virus with no health implications. Certain strains of the virus have been reported in mammals, including people.

Wild birds are primarily infected with LPAI and do not show any signs. Poultry with LPAI may go undetected but can have decreases in egg production and egg quality.  

HPAI viruses are mainly found in poultry. Signs of HPAI in poultry include: discoloration on the unfeather parts of the body (legs, wattles and combs), lethargy, nasal discharge, swelling of the head, diarrhea, and coughing and sneezing.  

LPAI viruses in wild birds generally do not cause any health problems. HPAI viruses can cause mortality. Poultry are very vulnerable HPAI viruses which spread rapidly when birds are in confined spaces and can cause up to 100% mortality. 

Three subtypes of avian influenza (H5, H7 and H9) are known to infect people with most infection coming from the HPAI Asian lineage H7H9 and H5N1 viruses. The CDC considers avian influenza to be low risk to public health in the United States. As a general precaution, people should avoid direct contact with birds that are dead or appear sick and any surfaces that are contaminated with feces. While rare, pets can be affected by certain strains of avian influenza. 

Many bird species can be affected by avian pox including eagles, songbirds, turkeys, and owls. Different strains of the poxvirus will target different species. 

The dry form of avian pox causes wart-like growths to develop on the unfeathered parts of the body.  This is very similar to squirrel fibromas and cutaneous fibromas on deer. The wet form will cause the bird to have labored breathing and difficulty eating. 

Mild cases of the dry form are often not lethal and can clear up on their own. In severe cases, the growths will impede the bird’s ability to see and will lead to death due to difficulty finding food and avoiding predators. The wet form is often lethal. 

Domestic bird species can be affected by avian pox. High densities of birds in small areas such as apiaries have greater transmission rates. There is no evidence that people and other pets can get avian pox. 

Avian conjunctivitis mostly affects house finches, but other songbird species can contract it such as purple finches, American goldfinches, evening grosbeaks, and tufted titmice.  

The infection causes a bird's eyes to become swollen, red, and watery or crusty looking.  Conjunctivitis can lead to respiratory infection, so nasal discharge (liquid coming out of the mouth or nostrils) may also be noticeable. Birds with this infection will often become lethargic and have poor body condition, and can die suddenly.

Some birds can overcome a conjunctivitis infection, but many die from starvation or predation since it directly harms their ability to see, fly, and feed normally.

Domestic bird species (including domestic chickens, domestic turkey, and pen-raised game birds) may be susceptible to conjunctivitis. People and other pets cannot contract conjunctivitis from birds. 

Conjunctivitis in birds is mostly caused by bacteria that spread when many birds congregate over time at a single location, especially at bird feeders. You can help protect birds from spreading contagious diseases by feeding birds naturally rather than using artificial feeders. Planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers in your yard is an excellent way to support and attract birds without spreading disease the way feeders can. Learn about native plants that attract birds safely at https://nc.audubon.org/conservation/bird-friendly-communities/bird-friendly-native-plants. 

Many different animals can get sick from salmonella bacteria. Some species can carry and spread the bacteria without getting sick themselves, such as domestic chickens and many reptiles. Other species, such as humans, dogs, cats, and songbirds, can become sick if they get salmonella bacteria into their bodies (usually by ingestion). Salmonella poisoning in songbirds is usually fatal.

Birds with salmonellosis, or salmonella poisoning can appear to be lethargic or stressed. They will often pant with their mouth gaped open or have visible tremors or diarrhea. Birds with this condition can die suddenly and without warning.

While some birds do overcome the disease, it is usually lethal.

People and pets can get salmonella poisoning from handling infected birds and contaminated feeders. To avoid coming in contact with salmonella bacteria, wear gloves when handling any sick or dead animals and thoroughly wash hands after touching bird feeders or any surfaces that could be contaminated. 

In 2021 an outbreak of salmonella poisoning that spread at bird feeders led to at least 29 people in 12 states getting sick from handling feeders that were contaminated with salmonella bacteria. 14 of those people were hospitalized. Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium-04-21/index.html. 

Salmonellosis, or salmonella poisoning in birds is caused by bacteria that spread when many birds congregate over time at a single location, especially at bird feeders. You can help protect birds from spreading contagious diseases by feeding birds naturally rather than using artificial feeders. Planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers in your yard is an excellent way to support and attract birds without spreading disease the way feeders can. Learn about native plants that attract birds safely at https://nc.audubon.org/conservation/bird-friendly-communities/bird-friendly-native-plants. 

WNV primarily affects birds but has also been detected in humans, cats, dogs, horses, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic rabbits, alligators and bats.

Most birds that become infected with WNV do not show any signs of the illness. However, if they do become infected, signs may include uncoordinated walking, lethargy, tremors, inability to fly, blindness, lack of awareness, and abnormal body posture. For birds that do display signs, death typically occurs within 24 to 48 hours.

WNV has been detected in over 300 species of birds. Crows and jays will likely die if they contract WNV, however most other species are able to survive and fight off the disease if they become infected.

Humans and pets can contract WNV from infected mosquitos. Symptoms of WNV are most often limited to headaches, mild fevers, and other flu-like symptoms. However, in rare cases (CDC estimates less than 1% of infected people) the disease can affect the central nervous system by causing encephalitis, meningitis, and death. Fortunately, most individuals (up to 80%) infected with WNV do not develop any symptoms, either mild or severe. 

CWD is known to affect North American cervids, which include white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. 

CWD has a long incubation period; infected deer will appear healthy and only develop noticeable signs of disease after at least 16 months. Once a deer begins to show signs of CWD, the disease progresses swiftly and death is quick to follow. In the later stages of infection, deer begin to display a variety of changes in both behavior and appearance. Signs can include: drastic weight loss, stumbling, lethargy, drooling, excessive thirst or urination, drooping ears, aggression, and loss of fear of humans. 

Once a deer is infected with CWD, it is always fatal. There are currently no vaccines, cures, or treatments.

There is no current evidence to suggest that humans or other non-cervids can contract CWD. Nonetheless, caution is advised when hunting and dressing deer. Hunters are advised not to consume meat from animals known to be infected and to be wary of consuming venison from any animal with obvious signs of illness.

Many species can develop fibromas from various viruses. The virus that causes fibromas in white-tailed deer can only be spread to other cervids. 

Cutaneous fibromas are characterized by hairless, wart-like growths on the skin that vary in white, gray or black coloration. Fibromas can vary greatly in size and grow to be 8 or more inches in diameter. The growths can be solitary or found in clusters.  

Fibromas generally do not impact the health of the deer and can even clear up on their own. They can become problematic if they impede the deer’s ability to eat, breathe, or see. 

People, livestock and pets cannot contract the virus that causes cutaneous fibromas. 

Hemorrhagic disease primarily affects white-tailed deer in North Carolina. Other ruminant species such as elk, cattle, sheep, and goats can also become infected with the disease.

In some cases, deer affected with Hemorrhagic disease will display little to no symptoms of an infection, especially if they were previously exposed to the disease. If a deer does show signs of infection, these often include: fever, swollen head or neck, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, ulcers on their tongue or mouth, and an eroded dental pad. Mortality from hemorrhagic disease most commonly takes place near water sources (e.g. pond, lake, creek) because of high fever. Deer that do not have any prior immunity to the disease will typically die within 5-10 days after infection. 

The severity of hemorrhagic disease is affected by a variety of factors (e.g. herd density, midge abundance, previous exposure) and mortality rates vary regionally across the state as well as across years. Deer herds that have been previously exposed to hemorrhagic disease can fight off an infection. Meanwhile, deer which have not been previously exposed to the disease are more likely to die from the disease. Normal deer die-offs associated with hemorrhagic disease occur annually in North Carolina, with larger outbreaks occurring periodically every few years.

Hemorrhagic disease does not pose any significant health risks to people and domestic pets. Hunters do not need to be concerned about consuming venison from infected deer.  As always, hunters should be cautious of consuming venison from any animal with obvious signs of illness. 

Many wildlife species and humans can be hosts of bot flies. Different species of bot flies affect different wildlife species. Bot fly larvae found in white-tailed deer only affect members in the deer family (white-tailed deer, elk, mule deer, etc.). Other wildlife species that are commonly seen with bot fly larvae include squirrels and rabbits. To learn more about bot flies in squirrels, click here. 

Bot fly larvae are white to yellowish-brown in color and range from 1-2 inches in length. 

The larvae typically cause little or no harm to deer, except for some minor discomfort associated with irritation of the sinuses and nasal passages. Some sneezing and coughing in deer is assumed to be the result of nasal bots. No sores, infection or other problems have been reported even when the parasites are large in number. 

Nasal bots that occur in deer do not affect humans or pets. However, there are species of bot flies that can affect human and pets. Cases in pets are uncommon and the fly species that can affect humans only occur in Mexico and Central America. To learn more about bot fly larva in humans, click here. Nasal bots that occur in deer are most often encountered by hunters while field dressing a deer. When a deer’s body cools down, these larvae sometimes migrate into the throat region or into the open body cavity of the deer. It is here that unsuspecting hunters often find the larvae. Nasal bots do not make the carcass unfit for human consumption. 

Raccoons are the primary host of this roundworm; however, other types of animals can become infected such as birds and small mammals. Raccoons become infected with this parasite by eating infectious roundworm eggs during foraging, feeding and grooming. They can also become infected by eating rodents, rabbits, and birds that are infected with roundworm larvae. 

Raccoon roundworm eggs are not visible and can only be seen with a microscope. Time from exposure to showing symptoms of raccoon roundworm can take 1 to 4 weeks. Signs and symptoms in humans can include nausea, tiredness, liver enlargement, loss of coordination, loss of muscle control, and blindness. 

Raccoon roundworm does not cause any harm to raccoons. The parasite only effects other animals or humans that ingest the infectious larvae. Once ingested, eggs hatch into larvae in the intestines and travel throughout the body, affecting organs and muscles. Signs and symptoms vary depending on how many eggs are ingested and where the larvae move to in the body. 

Raccoon roundworm can infect people and a variety of wildlife and domestic pets. However, fewer than 25 cases of Baylisascaris have been documented in the United States. Children or those who are more likely to put dirt or animal waste in their mouth by mistake have a higher risk of ingesting the parasite. Pets can also become infected by eating infectious feces or eating an animal that has been infected with raccoon roundworm.  It takes 2-4 weeks for the eggs in raccoon feces to become infectious in the environment. Prompt removal of raccoon feces will reduce risk for exposure. See this document for directions on how to clean-up raccoon feces. 

Different genera of bot flies prefer different species as hosts such as rodents, horses, deer, and mink. Bot flies of the genus Cuterebra utilize rodents and rabbits.  The genus Cephenemyia affect deer. Click here to learn more about bot flies in deer. 

A squirrel with warbles appears to have hairless growths with dark openings in the skin. Warbles look very similar to squirrel pox but can be distinguished by the opening at the top of each growth. One squirrel can be host to multiple warbles. 

Warbles need their hosts to survive so they are usually not lethal. Once the warble emerges, the opening in the skin heals. They can impact an animal’s health if there is a large infestation or the squirrel develops a secondary infection.

It is rare for people to have warbles. While uncommon, pets can be accidental hosts but they cannot get infected from other animals with warbles.

Squirrel Fibroma virus primarily affects squirrels, with gray and fox squirrels being the most commonly affected species in North Carolina. The virus can also be transmitted to groundhogs and rabbits, although contraction of the virus is uncommon in these animals. There are many different species of similarly related viruses which can cause fibromas in other wildlife species, however these are typically species-specific viruses. Click here to learn more about fibromas in deer.

The virus causes squirrels to develop growths and sometimes scabbing across their body. These growths typically have little to no hair on them and vary in size (they can be anywhere from 1/16 – 1 inch in diameter). Squirrel Fibromas are similar in appearance to cutaneous warbles from bot flies but can be distinguished from warbles because they do not have large black openings in the center of the growths. 

In some cases, squirrels can fight off a mild infection and can recover from the virus with no permanent side effects or growths. In more severe cases, animals will likely be unable to fight off the infection, and the virus will lead to emaciation and eventual death.

Humans, cats, and dogs cannot contract squirrel fibroma virus. Although uncommon, it is possible for domestic or pet rabbits to contract the disease.