Zoonotic Disease Survey Underway

In November 2007, Eric York, a wildlife biologist at Grand Canyon NP, died from pneumonic plague after contact with an infected mountain lion.  Although tragic and unexpected, Eric’s death raised awareness about the risk of zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans) and prompted the Service to improve safety protocols and take additional measures to protect employee health.

As part of this response, the NPS Office of Public Health – in collaboration with the Biological Resource Management and Risk Management Divisions – is conducting a Servicewide, web-based survey on zoonotic diseases and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace.  All wildlife biologists, biological technicians, and other resource management staff (permanent, term, or seasonal) who handle and/or manage wildlife are eligible to complete the survey.  The results will help the NPS develop programs and interventions to improve safe work practices for field biologists.  

The survey is currently available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WPoiIlQVdL2NYfKUW7fU5g_3d_3d and will be accessible until June 26th.  The survey should take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete and is also available on the NPS Office of Public Health intranet homepage.

If you have questions about the survey or would like to request a paper copy, please contact Commander David Wong, MD, medical epidemiologist, Office of Public Health, at david_wong@nps.gov or 505-248-7806.