Mammals such as Bats, foxes, raccoon, and skunks are associated with Rabies and may present a potential hazard for employees, students and visitors.
Bats, foxes, raccoon, and skunks are the primary reservoirs of rabies virus, however rabies has been confirmed in domestic animals, such as cats and dogs. Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is transmitted from infected mammals to man and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Fortunately, only a few human cases are reported each year in the United States.
People can get rabies if they are exposed to the saliva or nervous tissue of a rabid animal through a bite or scratch. Although rare, exposure can also occur if infected saliva or nervous tissue gets into a fresh wound (one that has bled within 24 hours) or mucous membrane (eyes, nose, mouth).
Rabid animals often show changes in behavior, becoming docile, vicious, or unafraid of human and normally nocturnal animals may be out in the daytime. If sighted, try to distance yourself from wild animal that appear sick, dying, or exhibiting unusual behavior and call Public Safety 711.
For more information on rabies, please visit the New York State Department of Health web-site at: http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/rabies/rabies.htm
Bats are associated with Rabies and may present a potential hazard for employees, students and visitors.
During the late summer months young bats are taking flight, resulting in a seasonal increase of bat activity in and around the Syracuse University Campus. Please be aware that a small percentage of bats may carry the Rabies virus. It is therefore extremely important not to come in contact with a bat. If you suspect any contact with a bat while on University grounds or if there is a presence of a bat in your work area or room, please call Public Safety @ 711 and also report it to area supervisory personnel. University personnel will take appropriate actions to remove/relocate the bat. Individuals who believe they have had contact with a bat should report to Health Services or a local Hospital for an exposure assessment. Syracuse University Health Services is located at 111 Waverly Ave.
Birds are associated with West Nile Virus and Histoplasmosis and may present a potential hazard for employees, students and visitors.
The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause flu-like symptoms and in rare cases can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in humans. West Nile Virus is fatal to some birds, especially crows and blue jays, and dead birds are often used as an indicator when the virus enters a geographic area. While the spread of West Nile Virus directly from birds to people is unlikely, direct contact with dead birds should be avoided. Please contact Physical Plant or Housing for the removal of dead birds from University property.
The Onondaga County Environmental Health Department regularly submits dead birds (crows, blue jays and birds of prey) to the NYS Department of Health for WNV surveillance testing. Testing will only be considered if the bird has died within the last 24 hours and is in good condition. The Syracuse University Environmental Health Office (EHO) will facilitate WNV testing by transporting select dead birds to the County Health Department in accordance with current Onondaga County and NYS Department of Health recommendations.
EHO will not be available on the weekends to pick-up dead birds and only birds that meet the above criteria will be considered. If arrangements are not made for a pick up, please dispose of all dead birds properly. Physical Plant and Housing Personnel must use thick rubber gloves or a shovel to place the dead bird in doubled plastic bags. Double bagged carcasses must be placed in an outdoor garbage dumpster.
Please visit the following New York State Department of Health Website for more information on WNV http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/west_nile_virus/
Some species of birds roost in one location in relativity large groups. Over time, dropping and waste products may build up. Working in area contaminated with large amounts of dried bird droppings may increase the risk of acquiring Histoplasmosis.
The fungus responsible for Histoplasmosis thrives in areas with large amounts of bird dropping, such as roosting and nesting site, roofs and indoor attic spaces of buildings. Disturbing dried bird droppings may create airborne dust contaminated with fungus, which if inhaled, may lead to Histoplasmosis.
Histoplasmosis primarily affects a person’s lungs, and its symptoms vary greatly. Histoplasmosis can appear as a mild, flu-like respiratory illness and has a combination of symptoms, including malaise (a general ill feeling), fever, chest pain, dry or nonproductive cough, headache, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, joint and muscle pains, chills, and hoarseness. Histoplasmosis can be treated with antifungal medication.
The best way to reduce the risk of acquiring exposure Histoplasmosis is to avoid situations where dried bird droppings become aerosolized and subsequently inhaled. If repair work or construction will disturb large amounts of bird droppings, it is recommended that the droppings are removed prior to the start of work. Bird droppings can be removed by carefully wetting the material to reduce the amount of dust aerosolized during the clean-up activity. Once the material is wetted, it can be collected in double, heavy-duty plastic bags for immediate disposal. An alternative method is use of an industrial vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency filter to “bag” contaminated material. Do not shovel or sweep dry or dusty brid droppings.
NIOSH approved half-face respirators equipped with P-100 filters, gloves and disposable coveralls are recommended during removal of an accumulation of bird droppings from an enclosed area. Only employees participating in the Syracuse University Respirator Protection Program and approved by EHO are authorized to wear respirators. Please contact EHO for more information on personal protective equipment and work practice related to the removal of bird droppings.
Please visit the following National Institute of Safety and Health website for more information on Histoplasmosis http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-109/
Rodents are associated with the spread of human disease and may present a potential hazard for employees, students and visitors.
Mice and rats are responsible for the direct or indirect spread of human disease. Please avoid direct contact with all rodents alive or dead, and associated urine or feces. If a rodent in present in your work area(s) please notify your supervisor immediately. Do purchase or use pesticides in your work area. Only New York State Certified Pesticide Applicators are approved to apply pesticides for the control of rodents at Syracuse University. Several local rodent control companies are approved to apply pesticides at SU. Physical Plant or Housing should be contacted to repair damage caused by rodents and maintain the facility in a condition to prevent rodent intrusion. Physical Plant and Housing Personnel must use thick rubber or a shovel to place dead rodents in doubled plastic bags. Double bagged carcasses must be placed in an outdoor garbage dumpster.
Dead Animals are associated with the spread of human disease and may present a potential hazard for employees, students and visitors.
The greatest hazard related to dead animals is the potential for the indirect spread of human disease by live animal parasites (fleas and ticks). Fleas and ticks are parasites that feed, breed and live on most wild animals. Both fleas and ticks have irritating bites and can transmit disease. Risk of exposure to fleas and ticks increases when handling dead animals, because these parasites are actively seeking a live host and may be very abundant on the animal or in the immediate area. Dead animals should only be handled by appropriate Physical Plant and Housing employees.
Animal Carcass Disposal Procedures
The following procedures must be used when removing and disposing of an animal carcass: