In
most of the United States, it is against the law for you to own any wild
animals or non-human primates (monkeys) without a permit. However, people
sometimes come into contact with these animals. Like other animals, wild
animals and primates can get diseases. Some of these diseases, called
zoonoses, can cause illness in people. Since wild animals (including monkeys,
raccoons, and skunks) can carry diseases that are dangerous to people,
CDC discourages direct contact with wildlife.
Learn
more about selected diseases of wildlife, including primates.
Baylisascaris
Infection
(raccoon roundworm): A parasitic disease associated
with raccoons.
Brucella
Infection (brucellosis): A bacterial disease associated with bison,
deer, and other wild animals.
Giardia
Infection (giardiasis): A parasitic disease associated with
animals and their environment (including water).
Hantavirus
Pulmonary Syndrome (hantavirus): A rare viral disease associated
with some types of wild mice.
Herpesvirus
simiae Infection (B virus): A deadly viral disease associated
with macaque monkeys.
Click
here for the latest recommendations on prevention and therapy
of Herpes B. ( PDF
225KB)
Histoplasma
Infection (histoplasmosis): A fungal disease associated with bat
guano (stool).
Lymphocytic
Choriomeningitis:
A viral disease associated with rodents and house mouse.
Mycobacterium
tuberculosis Infection (TB): A bacterial disease associated
with deer, elk, and bison.
Plague
(Yersinia pestis Infection): A rare bacterial disease
associated with wild rodents and fleas.
Rabies:
A
viral disease associated with wildlife especially raccoons, skunks, and
bats.
Tularemia:
An infectious disease associated with wildlife especially rodents, rabbits,
and hares.