All field work that involves close human interaction with wildlife can increase transmission of disease between human and animals. Known examples include the transmission of white nose syndrome to bats, chytrid fungus to amphibians, or COVID-19 to mustelids and large cats.  Some wildlife diseases, such as rabies, can also be transmitted from animals to humans.

As the Wildlife Care Committee shares an interest in the conservation, health, and welfare of our wildlife populations in the NWT, avoiding transmission of new and emerging pathogens to wildlife is a priority. 

As part of the application process, all applicants for a Wildlife Handling Permit are required to describe the steps they intend to take to minimize disease exposure to wildlife.

All researchers are encouraged to follow best practices:

• Minimize handling of wildlife where possible (e.g. collect environmental samples)
• Assess whether you need to handle wildlife. Is there a chance you or your field equipment have been exposed to a zoonotic pathogen, or do you have symptoms?
• Protect wildlife and yourself by adopting practices such as wearing a mask and using decontamination protocols to reduce exposure

Resources

The following guidance documents are provided as examples of steps researchers can take to minimize transmission of infectious diseases between people and wildlife.

• Guidelines for Working with Free-Ranging Wild Mammals in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic 
• Canadian National White-nose Syndrome Decontamination Protocol 
• Decontamination Protocol for Field Work with Amphibians and Reptiles in Canada
• Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Covid-19 Information
• Recommended Strategy for Researchers to Reduce the Risk of Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from Humans to Bat