Among the current and future challenges of the Hurricane Harvey devastation is the risk of zoonotic disease exchanges. An entire underground population of rats, mice, feral cats, skunks, raccoons and who knows what else was forced to move along with people. Like humans, they will move back into the area carrying with them all sorts of zoonotic risks including leptospirosis, rabies and more.
Source: Clinician’s Brief, December 2015.
This quiz covers transmission routes and risks associated with human exposure to several zoonotic diseases commonly linked to pets.
Also see: Harvey is also displacing snakes, fire ants and gators, Washington Post, August 28, 2017 (paywall).
INSIGHTS: While we experience the impact of Harvey, consider taking this quiz as a team exercise. Then discuss the inherent zoonotic risks in your area, your lifestyle recommendations prevention protocols and determine preparations you need to make in the event of a disaster in your backyard.