City of Crawfordsville Urges Residents to Use Safe Practices Around Injured Animals

By Matt Lepper
The City of Crawfordsville and the Animal Welfare League want Crawfordsville residents should avoid contact with injured wild animals. They can be a source of zoonotic diseases, which pose significant risks to people.

A prime example of a negative consequence of human-animal interaction are zoonotic diseases. Defined by the CDC, zoonotic diseases are diseases provoked by microorganisms spreading between animals and people. Said microorganisms can be viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. The different types of microorganisms can subsequently cause different illnesses, some mild and some severe. The diseases also vary by the source of the microorganism.

In Indiana, there are multiple zoonotic diseases that originate and spread from different sources. To name a few, West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are two mosquito-borne diseases that can be found in Indiana. Hoosiers can contract Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which are tick-borne diseases. As for Zoonotic diseases, anthrax, rabies, tularemia, and brucellosis can be found in Indiana.

Reading a list full of potential, harmful diseases that result from interaction with animals is not very encouraging. However, there are ways in which you can reduce your chances of contracting zoonotic, tick-borne, and mosquito-borne diseases.

For starters, keeping your hands clean defends against zoonotic diseases as well as a grocery list of other ailments. Always wash your hands after being around animals, even if you didn’t actually touch any animals. There are multiple practices that can aid in avoiding bites from these insects such as; wearing long clothing that covers your skin, using insect repellant, eliminating standing water surrounding your property, and (once again) properly washing your hands.

A more simplistic solution is to avoid bites and scratches from animals, especially animals that are not domesticated. Getting vaccinated for rabies is a tremendous preventative measure against zoonotic disease.

If you happen to spot an injured wild animal, please call the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County at (765) 362-8846 or dial 911, and they will direct you as needed.