Arthropods play a significant role as vectors of many pathogenic microorganisms. Mosquito-borne, tick-borne and flea-borne diseases occur in Texas. Mosquito-borne diseases are encephalitides caused by West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus, western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus, eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, and California encephalitis virus; Dengue fever; malaria; and Yellow fever.

Whenever your pet snaps at a flea and swallows it, it has exposed itself to Dipylidium caninum, a tapeworm that attaches to the small intestine where it sucks up nutrients. In a few weeks, you’ll find dried, tan, rice-like tapeworm segments attached to the pet’s rectum or in the feces. These tapeworm segments carry eggs and can eventually infect humans and other pets. One more reason to prevent fleas. See similar questions...

Any insect that feeds on blood has the potential of transmitting disease organisms from human to human. Mosquitoes are highly developed blood-sucking insects and are the most formidable transmitters of disease in the animal kingdom. Mosquito-borne diseases are caused by human parasites that have a stage in their life cycle that enters the blood stream. The female mosquito picks up the blood stage of the parasite when she imbibes blood to develop her eggs. See similar questions...

Yes, moles rarely but sometimes can be carriers of rabies. Rabies, a virus, progressively paralyzes and can kill any mammal, including humans. Rabies is generally contracted through contact with an infected mole through biting. Though humans should avoid contact with any mole, if a mole seems especially fearless around humans, it could be infected. Call United Wildlife mole control immediately for professional mole removal. See similar questions...

These "vectors" have been shown to carry a variety of disease-causing organisms. Some of these organisms are the cause of Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, Leptrospirosis, and a variety of other food-borne illnesses. The problem with rodent bait in a food facility is that rodents may carry the poisonous bait in their mouths and drop the bait throughout the facility, contaminating food, food contact surfaces, and food related items. See similar questions...

Feral goats carry many parasites such as cestodes, nematodes and protozoans. The degree of cross-infection between feral goats and stock is not known but thought to be fairly low except in well-watered pastures where stocking rates are high. However, feral goats are usually not common in these areas. Feral goats can also carry a wide range of bacterial and viral diseases such as the bacterium that cause melioidosis. See similar questions...

Geese do carry diseases, including swimmer’s itch, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis, and giardia. These goose illnesses are spread by contact with goose poop, nest materials and dead geese. When geese live in your pond, swimming pool or nearby lake, parasites that live on the geese will infest the water and climb aboard swimmers, giving them swimmer’s itch. The parasite larvae crawl onto the skin and burrow under it, which leads to a very severe, itchy red rash. See similar questions...

Wild armadillos have been known to be infected with the bacterium that causes leprosy (Hansen's disease). The only cases of transmission from armadillos to humans have occurred in rare incidents in which people ate undercooked armadillo meat. See similar questions...

The main disease problem in foxes is Mange, this cannot be transmitted to humans or cats. In theory fox mange could be caught by dog, but in practice it doesn't. The UK has been completely rabies free for many years and there are well prepared contingency plans for deal with any possible outbreak. See similar questions...

Spray the yard, spray and flea-bomb the house, flea bathe the cat or dog and then use either powders/sprays or one of the new spot-on products (Advantage or Frontline). The powders/sprays need daily application, while the spot-on products are applied monthly. It may take a few months to see good results. See similar questions...

Mosquitoes kill more than one million people each year with the deadly diseases they transmit. These diseases include malaria, filariasis, dengue fever, yellow fever, and encephalitis (mainly the St. Louis and Eastern Equine strains). They can also transmit heartworm to dogs and cats. However, not all mosquitoes carry diseases. Each disease is transmitted by only a few species of mosquito. Here in Florida and Charlotte county, we mainly focus on St. See similar questions...

Yes. There are several other viruses circulating among mosquitoes in Ohio that can cause encephalitis. St. Louis Encephalitis, which is closely related to WNV, caused a major epidemic in 1975, resulting in 416 human cases and 29 fatalities. Every year, about 14 Ohioans, primarily children, are affected with La Crosse Encephalitis. In 1991, an outbreak of Eastern Equine Encephalitis affected horses in the Killbuck Marsh area in Holmes and Wayne Counties. See similar questions...

All dogs who come to Doggie Day Care are required to either be on a flea preventative medication or will be check for fleas every time they come. If fleas are found on your pet, they will be sent home. Our facility is specifically set up to not inhabit fleas as our outdoor yard and rubber floor are cleaned and sanitized daily. See similar questions...

Recent research suggests that a prolonged QT-interval could be an important cause for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Mutations in the KCNJ2 gene are associated with Andersen syndrome (AS). AS is a rare, inherited disorder characterized by periodic paralysis, skeletal developmental abnormalities and a prolonged QT-interval (see point 2) with ventricular arrhythmias. Because of the prolongation of the QT-interval, AS is considered a subtype of long QT syndrome. See similar questions...

The following is an excerpt from a pamphlet on Athlete's Foot by the American Academy of Dermatology, April 1994: Athlete's foot does not occur among people who traditionally go barefoot. It's moisture, sweating and lack of proper ventilation of the feet that present the perfect setting for the fungus of athlete's foot to grow. See similar questions...

Yes—snakes can carry diseases. Snakes can be host to a large number of parasites, which in turn, can affect humans, dogs and cats. Protozoa can cause digestive, respisnakeory and reproductive illnesses in snakes, humans and other animals. Tapeworms are parasites of the digestive system. Roundworms can damage the lungs and digestive tract. Snakes carry the bacteria salmonella on their skin. See similar questions...