Investigation of the ecology of select zoonotic diseases of wildlife aimed at reducing transmission to humans and domestic animals in Glacier National Park, Montana

Dunbar, Mike R.

We investigated the apparent prevalence of rabies virus, hantaviruses, and West Nile virus (WNV) at selected sites in Glacier National Park (GNP) during July and August, 2005. These disease agents were selected due to their potential to cause human illness and death both to park visitors as well as park employees. We captured four species of small mammals (n=51) of which only two deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were determined to be positive for antibodies reactive with Sin Nombre virus. We captured 20 species of birds (n=40) of which 2 were found to be positive for antibodies to WNV. We captured one species of bat (Myotis lucifugus) (n=58) of which 4 were found to have antibodies for rabies virus. We also collected bat guano samples from buildings within GNP that will later be tested for Histoplasma capsulatum, another zoonotic disease agent. We were unsuccessful in attempts to capture skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) for evaluation of rabies. The only signs of skunk at the study sites were found at the Lake McDonald Lodge site. Based on this information, the potential for human exposure to these diseases is present in GNP. Park employees should minimize the risks of exposure to bats for themselves and to Park visitors by reducing or eliminating bats from Park buildings and not handling bats. The most prudent course of action to prevent exposure to hantaviruses is for Park personnel to treat all murid rodents as potentially infectious. In addition, excluding rodents from human structures is an important facet of human safety. It is difficult to draw conclusions from data related to WNV. Therefore, we recommend that all Park employees and visitors should be encouraged to follow the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which are available on their website. We also recommend further research, surveillance, and monitoring of these and other potential zoonotic diseases in GNP for the safety of employees and visitors.

Investigation of the ecology of select zoonotic diseases of wildlife aimed at reducing transmission to humans and domestic animals in Glacier National Park, Montana

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