Wild Animals

Wild animals can carry diseases that are dangerous to people. Enjoy watching wild animals from a safe distance but touching them may harm you or the animal. If you are in contact with wild animals eg hedgehogs, deer, foxes, badgers, bats, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water.

Here are links to wild animal-related diseases:

Anthrax - A bacterial disease associated with animals and handling animal hides [not in Ireland]

Brucellosis - a bacterial disease associated with deer and other wild animals

Cryptosporidiosis - A parasitic disease associated with animals, including deer, and their environment (including water)

Giardiasis - A parasitic disease associated with animals, including deer, and their environment (including water)

Hantavirus Syndrome (HVS) - A viral disease contracted through contact with the urine, saliva or faeces of rats and mice

Histoplasmosis - A fungal disease associated with bat guano (stool)

Leptospirosis - An infectious disease spread through contact with rats, or rat, cattle or dog urine or foetal fluids from cattle.

Lyme disease - A tickborne disease associated with deer, sheep and biting tick.

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis - A viral disease associated with rodents and house mice

Tuberculosis (TB) - A bacterial disease associated with badgers, deer, dogs, and farm animals

Plague - A rare bacterial disease associated with wild rodents and fleas [not in Ireland]

Rabies - A viral disease associated with wildlife especially bats. Ireland is officially rabies free

Tularemia - An infectious disease associated with wildlife especially rodents, rabbits, and hares

Last updated: 15 November 2022