MICROSCOPIC

Just another part of the job By Kevin L. Clayton,o Massachusettsn Environmentals Police and Catherinee Brown, DVM,r MSc, MPH was postulated as the causeT of an epidemic amongs MNative Americans along the coast of present-day Massachusetts that occurred immediately before the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620 and wiped out most of the native population.

Conservation Officers never know nal parasites, bacteria and mals can also infect people (such Scenar io #1: when parasites will show them viruses all seem to be mem- diseases are called zoonoses) Officer H receives a call for “1000 Ways to Die”. bers of “P.I.T.H.”... the critter and pose the greatest risk to con- service to assist a citizen with a When I'm relaxing after a long group called, Parasites In- servation law enforcement offi- trapped in a basement. day, I take in a few guilty plea- gesting Tasty Humans. As I cers and which methods are The furry beast “somehow” ac- sures on cable television. One of watch the program, each epi- most effective at reducing our cessed the basement through an my favorites is “1000 Ways to Die” sode more disturbing than the chances of finding one of 1000 unblocked chimney flue. The on SPIKE1 which depicts methods last, I realize that we, in con- ways to die from a zoonotic dis- citizen was opening the house of death, often unintentionally servation law, enforcement ease or parasite? Let's look at a after being away for some time self-inflicted. The second pro- are often exposed to death or few scenarios through which we when he discovered the B & E gram, “Monsters Inside of Me” on monsters such as those de- may find ourselves exposed and specialist. Planet2, follows the or- picted in these programs. what we can do to reduce the Officer H dons gloves before deals of citizens who have been This brings us to the follow- chances that PITH members using a “ pole” (metallic infested or infected by various crit- ing important questions: will have their way with us and pole with a noose-like strap or ters and bugs. Internal and exter- which diseases carried by ani- our insides. cable, often used to restrain dif-

Leptospirosis in American history since the failure Leptospirosis was postulated as of the Plymouth Bay colony might the cause of an epidemic among RODENT CARRIER have meant the failure of British Native Americans along the coast colonization in North America. A of present-day Massachusetts that URINE noted historian has said that the occurred immediately before the epidemic was the most important arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620 and event in American history between wiped out most of the native popu- the discovery of America by Colum- lation. bus and the signing of the Declara- While the disease may have tion of Independence. been brought to the New World by Before Weil's characterization in Europeans, its spread was also ENVIRONMENT HUMAN ENVIRONMENT 1886, the disease known as infec- influenced by the high-risk quotid- tious jaundice was very likely the ian activities of the Native Ameri- same as Weil's disease, or severe cans. The leptospirosis hypothesis icteric leptospirosis. During the is supported by the occurrence of Egyptian campaign, Napolean's modern outbreaks identified as army suffered from what was prob- severe leptospirosis, some accom- ably infectious jaundice. Infectious panied by high mortality rates. jaundice occurred among troops The cause of this epidemic has URINE during the Civil War. It was also been a mystery, while other out- reported among troops at Gallipoli breaks in the same time frame are DOMESTIC and other battles of World War I, fairly well established. The epi- where the sodden conditions of demic is considered a pivotal event trench warfare favored infection.

Page 10. INTERNATIONAL GAME WARDEN. SPRING 2010 ficult animals). The raccoon uri- ger in her mouth, she rushes off was lucky though; leptospirosis as posted in USA TODAY3 in No- nates everywhere but Officer H to meet some coworkers for pizza is usually treatable and she will vember of 2007, York was em- successfully wrangles the ani- and chicken wings. make a full recovery. She could ployed as a wildlife biologist at mal into a cage she brought Two weeks later Officer H com- have become infected with the Grand Canyon National along for that purpose. The offi- plains of muscle aches, diarrhea procyonis, the rac- Park when he performed a cer and homeowner afterward and headaches. After many com- coon roundworm, an intestinal necropsy on a mountain lion. observe that the raccoon defe- plicated and undignified tests, parasite spread through the ani- Three days later, York died of cated throughout the basement the diagnosis is made, mal's feces. Human infection plague. York is believed to have area. It is evident that the rac- leptospirosis. A bacterial infec- with this P.I.T.H. member, inhaled the bacterium Yersinia coon has been in this space for tion, leptospirosis is caused by while rare, is usually fatal. pestis which led to pneumonic some time. contact with the urine of in- Finally, Officer H never in- plague, a serious form of the dis- In her haste to leave, Officer fected animals. Multiple animal formed the homeowner about ease. Symptoms of this form of H strips off her heavy gloves and species can be infected with his risks for exposure to disease plague present themselves as accidentally drops the pole. Leptospira spp. without appear- when cleaning up after the rac- flu-like…featuring fever, chills, Picking it up with an ungloved ing ill. coon. coughing and difficulty breath- hand, she shoves it in behind Apparently, the only hand- ing. the back seat of her patrol vehi- washing that was done the day Scenario #2: According to the Centers for cle. While picking up the caged Officer H captured the raccoon, In 2007, National Park Ser- Disease Control and Prevention raccoon, she catches an occurred when she put an un- vice employee Eric York, for- the disease progresses quickly. ungloved finger on a protruding washed and bleeding finger into merly of Massachusetts, suc- Shock is rapid and death results bit of metal. Surprised, she in- her mouth. Failing to clean the cumbed from a disease many peo- if treatment is delayed.4 Was it stinctively puts the finger in her raccoon immobilization equip- ple believe died out in the Mid- possible for York to have pro- mouth, sucking off the blood. ment and not washing her hands dle Ages...the plague. tected himself from this disease? She says goodbye to the citizen. before a finger-food lunch likely According to reporter Astrid What may we learn from his mis- Still nursing the throbbing fin- contributed to her illness. She Galvan of The Arizona Republic, fortune?

reindeer. Yersinia pestis Anaplasmosis On July 30, 2009, David Letterman Y. pestis was discovered in Anaplasmosis is a disease announced that he had been infected 1894 by Alexandre Yersin, a caused by a rickettsial parasite of with anaplasmosis. He believes he Swiss/French physician and bac- ruminants, Anaplasma spp. The was most likely bitten by an infected teriologist from the Pasteur Insti- organism occurs in the white tick while camping with his 5-year-old tute, during an epidemic of blood cells and is transmitted by son in their tree house. plague in Hong Kong. Yersin natural means through by a num- was a member of the Pasteur ber of haematophagous species school of thought. Shibasaburo of ticks. It can also be transmitted Kitasato, a German-trained Japa- iatrogenically by the use of surgi- nese bacteriologist who prac- A scanning electron micrograph depia cal, dehorning, castration, and ticed Koch's methodology was mass of Yersinia pestis bacteria tattoo instruments and hypoder- also engaged at the time in find- mic needles that are not disin- ing the causative agent of lecular clock rates, date the emer- fected between uses. plague. However, it was Yersin gence of the biovars prior to any of In the United States, who actually linked plague with the historical epidemics due to the anaplasmosis is notably present Yersinia pestis. Originally length of time needed to accumu- in the south and west where the named Pasteurella pestis, the late such mutations . Additional tick hosts Dermacentor spp. are organism was renamed in 1967. evidence against this hypothesis found. Although vaccines have Originally three biovars of Y. includes the fact that Medievalis is been developed, none is currently pestis were thought to corre- likely too young to have produced available in the United States. spond to one of the historical pan- the Black Death due to its recent Early in the 20th century, this dis- demics of . divergence from Orientalis. ease was considered one of major Biovar Antiqua is thought to cor- Every year thousands of cases economic consequence in the respond to the Plague of Justin- of plague are still reported to the western United States. In the ian; it is not known whether this World Health Organization, al- 1980s and 1990s, control of ticks Giardia cell biovar also corresponds to ear- though with proper treatment the through new acaricides and prac- lier, smaller epidemics of bubonic prognosis for victims is now much tical treatment with prolonged- Giardiasis plague, or whether these were better. A five to sixfold increase in action antibiotics, notably tetracy- even truly bubonic plague. cases occurred in Asia during the cline, has led to the point where Giardiasis in humans is caused Biovar Mediaevalis is thought to time of the Vietnam war, possibly the disease is no longer consid- by the infection of the small intes- correspond to the Black Death. due to the disruption of ecosystems ered a major problem. tine by a single-celled organism Biovar Orientalis is thought to and closer proximity between peo- In 2005, Anaplasma ovis was called Giardia lamblia. Giardiasis correspond to the Third Pan- ple and animals. Plague also has a found in reindeer populations in occurs worldwide with a prevalence demic and the majority of mod- detrimental effect on mammals Mongolia. This pathogen and its of 20–30% in developing coun- ern outbreaks of plague. How- other than humans. In the United associated syndrome (character- tries. Additionally, Giardia has a ever, calculations of Y pestis's States of America, endangered ized by lethargy, fever and pale wide range of human and other evolutionary age, found using animals such as the black-tailed mucous membranes) was previ- mammalian hosts, thus making it number of synonymous single prairie dog and the black-footed ously only observed in wild sheep very difficult to eliminate. Giardia nucleotide polymorphisms ferret are both under threat from and goats in the region, and is the infects over 2.5 million people (sSNPs) in conjunction with mo- the disease. first observed event of A. ovis in annually.

INTERNINTERNATIONATIONAL ALGAME GAME WARDEN WARDEN . SPRING . FALL 20092010 . Page 11 It is likely that plague bacte- mon threat to the general popu- ning all day and I need to get ria became airborne when York lation but certain professions, It's some lunch before I get to my cut open the chest cavity of the like wildlife biologists and vet- not next call!” infected mountain lion. Accord- erinarians, may be at higher However, conservation offi- ing to Arizona Daily Sun5,6 re- risk, especially in specific geo- too much cers may be exposed to a myr- porter, Cyndy Cole, the National graphic locations. Think about iad of zoonotic diseases of wild- Park Service report stated, it! Before the biologists and the life and exotic pets. In all “York wasn't wearing gloves vets show up, who gets called time to cases, it may be extremely ben- when he handled a mountain out to deal with the problem ani- eficial to medical personnel lion four days before becoming mals? As wildlife enforcement and to you (if you are the pa- ill, according to photographs he professionals, we get those calls save your tient) to be knowledgeable had taken, and was not likely first. about exposures you may have wearing a mask.” during your daily work. We may be assured that the Scenario #3: life! The CDC and the United National Park Service report Officer C is ordered to perform the punctured glove, the officer States Geological Survey re- contains recommendations for daily fish house dealer inspec- sees the end of a broken spine cently created a medical alert risk management, standardiza- tions under a Joint Enforcement protruding from the flesh be- card for wildlife professionals tion of animal handling proto- Agreement (JEA) with the Na- tween the thumb and forefinger to carry. While not all of these cols and enhanced protections of tional Oceanic and Atmospheric of his right hand. He sucks and diseases are normally found in park staff and visitors to the Administration. (JEA work is bites the spine out of his hand. native wildlife in the United Grand Canyon against plague an article for another day.) In Not seeing any blood and not States, they are included be- and other issues. the course of wandering around feeling any pain, he resumes his cause of the increasing num- Plague exists in the south- the numerous fish boxes the offi- fish size monitoring duties. ber of exotic pets present in western states. Five to fifteen cer handles hundreds of fish. The next morning, his left this country. The list in- people develop this disease annu- While measuring a redfish, a hand has swollen to a disturbing cludes: anthrax, arbovirus ally. This may demonstrate spine pierces his glove. Instinc- size. The officer is scared and including West that this disease is not a com- tively and frantically tearing off heads off to the local hospital. Nile virus, brucellosis, He did not report the injury to a giardiasis, hantavirus, hendra supervisor at the time nor did he Virus, highly pathogenic make an appropriate note of this avian , Monkeypox virus injury in his daily reports or pa- , leptospirosis, Monkeypox virus is the virus perwork. As we know, for legal , monkeypox, that causes the disease purposes of proper injury docu- mycotoxicosis, Nipah virus, monkeypox in both humans and animals. It was first identified in mentation, if it isn't written psittacosis, Q fever, rabies, 1958 as a pathogen of crab- down somewhere, it didn't hap- Rocky Mountain spotted fe- eating macaque monkeys pen. RIGHT? ver, salmonella, sylvatic (Macaca fascicularis) being used At the hospital, it takes plague, , and ty- as laboratory animals. The crab- phus...and this list isn't even eating macaque is a laboratory awhile, but the officer is eventu- species used for neurological ally diagnosed with either an close to complete. We must experiments. Monkeypox virus is infection with , also consider Baylisascaris an Orthopoxvirus, a genus of the (a bacterium that normally in- procyonis and columnaris in- family Poxviridae that contains habits warmer waters but has fection, anaplasmosis, other viral species that target mammals. The virus is mainly been found off the coast of New ehrlichiosis, , found in tropical rainforest re- England), or Erysipelothrix sarcoptic mange, gions of central and West . was traced to pet prairie dogs in- rhusiopathiae. Luckily, both mycobacteriosis, The virus was first discovered fected from an imported African are treatable, although a Vibrio , , in monkeys (hence the name) in rodent. No deaths occurred. lymphocytic choriomenigitis 1958, and in humans in 1970. The virus can spread both from infection can turn fatal if not Between 1970 and 1986, over animal to human and human to identified and treated early. virus infection, Vibrio 400 cases in humans were re- human. Infection from animal to Our conservation law enforce- vulnificus, Eryisipelothrix ported. Small viral outbreaks human can be from an animal bite ment profession is demanding rhusiopathiae, with a death rate in the range of or direct contact with an infected on many levels. We handle the , 10% and a secondary human to animal's bodily fluids. The virus human infection rate of about the can spread from person to person physical demands: making ar- cryptococcosis, and same amount occur routinely in through both their breath and rests, hiking in remote areas, bartonellosis. equatorial Central and West Af- through contact with an infected searching and working long The good news is that you rica. The primary route of infec- person's bodily fluids. Animal to hours. There are psychological can protect yourself from tion is thought to be contact with human transmission is more com- many zoonotic disease risks by the infected animals or their mon. The virus then incubates in demands: interviews, office poli- bodily fluids. The first reported the for 10-14 days. Symp- tics, stress and the ever- taking some basic precaution- outbreak in the United States toms then start to show including challenging, balance of personal ary measures, the first of occurred in 2003 in the midwest- swelling of lymph nodes, muscle against professional life. The which you probably learned in ern states of Illinois, Indiana, and pain, headache and fever. Some- need to be vigilant against expo- preschool. Wisconsin, with one occurrence times a rash appears. in New Jersey. The outbreak sure to zoonoses, is one thing that we often overlook. “Who's got time for that? I've been run-

Page 12 . INTERNATIONAL GAME WARDEN. SPRING 2010 AVOIDING EXPOSURE TO ANIMAL DISEASES:

\After handling animals or cleaning organic material. Wash equipment first Wildlife disease exposure risks vary. If equipment, if you suffer a bite, scratch or to remove any visible dirt, feces, blood or you have immediate questions about your cut, AND before you eat or drink, wash urine. Then disinfect. Use a 1:10 bleach likelihood of exposure, please contact your your hands using soap and warm and water solution (add 1 part bleach to 9 health care provider or your state depart- water. As lather builds, vigorously rub parts clean water.8) or follow directions ment of health/public health. all surfaces. Continue washing during on other appropriate disinfectant solu- When we were younger and were afraid the time it takes to sing the “Happy tions. of the dark, we didn't know that the mon- Birthday” song twice, about 15- 20 sec- \Inspect all equipment regularly for de- ster under the bed was not real. Now that onds. If you did not wear gloves during fects and damage. Defects to equipment we are older and more “mature”, we know an animal handling incident, use a may cause injuries to both you and the monsters exist, but for us, they now take a brush to scrub under your fingernails. animal(s) you handle. Injuries from de- different form. We don't really want to see Rinse well under running water.7 fective equipment may serve as a source ourselves on “1000 Ways to Die”. \Wear appropriate personal protective of exposure to a disease. The Monsters versus the Conserva- gear before interactions with animals or \Use mosquito and tick repellants as re- tion Officer: Death Match. It's one their bodily fluids. Don't hesitate to al- quired. Using a repellant that contains fight we simply cannot afford to lose. And ter or add PPE (Personal Protective the active ingredients DEET or winning the fight only takes twenty sec- Equipment) as the situation evolves. permethrin as directed on the label dur- onds, and some soap and water. Twenty \Wash and disinfect equipment thor- ing mosquito and tick seasons. This may seconds. oughly after each use. Most disinfec- help reduce your exposure to many dis- tants are inactivated by the presence of eases carried by these insect vectors. It's not too much time to save your life!

Some internet resources related to this topic may References: be found at the Internet Center for Wildlife Dam- 1http://www.spike.com/show/27237?sicontent=0&sicreative=4453674525 age Management: &siclientid=2389&sitrackingid=120358495 (http://icwdm.org/handbook/damage/ &refsite=7190&cmpnid=865&pt=pr&lkdes=NET_spike 2 WildlifeDiseases.asp), the Centers for http://animal.discovery.com/tv/monsters-inside-me/ 3 Disease Control and Prevention http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-11-10-plague_N.htm 4 (www.cdc.gov), http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HandWashing/ 5 USGS medical alert Medical Alert Wallet http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2008/10/22/ Card—National Wildlife Health Center Plague-kills-Grand-Canyon- biologist/UPI-12371224650123/ 6 (www.nwhc.usgs.gov/outreach/ http://azdailysun.com/news/article_60d8cb3d-96e0-502e- wallet_card.jsp) or your local state depart- 8a8c-2f36d7d0bf2e.html 7 ment of health/public health. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/facts.htm 8http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/surveillance/Annex7.pdf

About the Authors Dr. Catherine Brown (Katie) 2006 she completed an Applied As you can see Kevin was is currently serving as the State Epidemiology Fellowship spon- laid up for awhile over Public Health Veterinarian at sored by the CDC and the the winter but his misfortune was also our the Massachusetts Department Council of State and Territo- good fortune, as he had of Public Health. She has a rial Epidemiologists, with the some extra time on his Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Bureau of Communicable Dis- hands to co-author this Biology and Biochemistry from ease Control's Zoonoses Pro- highly informative article for us. Wesleyan University, a Doctor gram. of Veterinary Medicine from the In his own words… University of Minnesota, a Mas- Kevin L. Clayton, pictured at “There I was....searching ter's of Science from the Royal right, is a 23 year veteran of for a manatee that wan- Veterinary College, University the Massachusetts Environ- dered into New England. of London and a Master's of Pub- mental Police and is their This was the second manatee in our waters in as lic Health from Boston Univer- NAWEOA jurisdictional rep. many years. I was on board sity. He currently serves as the act- a local harbor-master's Katie was a wildlife veterinar- ing training officer for the Mas- boat and he inadvertently ian from 1997 - 2005. She sachusetts Environmental Po- hit the throttle and I went flying...patellar tendon worked for DuPage County's lice. Kevin is active in union rupture, surgery, cast Willowbrook Wildlife Center in activities and is a graduate can- (ankle to mid-thigh) for six Illinois as their Staff Veterinar- didate in Suffolk University's weeks…physical therapy ian and then moved to The Hu- Master of Public Administra- since then, two to three mane Society of the United tion degree program (2011). days/week. I'm usually in therapy for an hour or two State's Cape Wildlife Center in He may be reached at each time I go.” Massachusetts. From 2005- [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL GAME WARDEN . SPRING 2010 . Page 13