September 2, 2005 Page 1 of 2

Protect Yourself from Animal- and Insect-Related Hazards After a Natural 

Disaster 

General 

•

•

Avoid wild or stray animals.

Call local authorities to handle animals.

• Secure all food sources and remove any animal carcasses to avoid attracting rats. 

• Get rid of dead animals, according to guidelines from your local animal control authority, as soon as 

you can. See Animal Disposal (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/animaldisposal.asp) for answers to

frequently asked questions. 

• For more information, contact your local animal shelter or services, a veterinarian, or the Humane

Society for advice on dealing with pets or stray or wild animals after an emergency. Also see

Resources for Planning How to Protect Your Pets in an Emergency 

(http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/petprotect.asp). 

Avoid Mosquitoes 

• Rain and flooding in a hurricane area may lead to an increase in numbers of mosquitoes, which can 

carry diseases such as West Nile virus or dengue fever. In most cases, the mosquitoes will be pests 

but will not carry communicable diseases. Local, state, and federal public health authorities will be 

actively working to control the spread of any mosquito-borne diseases. For more information on West 

Nile virus, see CDC’s West Nile virus Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/). 

• To protect yourself from mosquitoes, use screens on dwellings; wear long pants, socks, and longsleeved shirts; and use insect repellents that contain DEET or Picaridin. Follow directions on the 

product label and take care when using DEET on small children. More information about these and 

other recommended repellents can be found in the fact sheet Updated Information Regarding Insect 

Repellents (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm).

•

•

•

•

•

o

o

o

To help control mosquito populations, drain all standing water left outdoors in open containers, such as 

flower pots, tires, pet dishes, or buckets. 

Prevent or Respond to a Snake Bite 

Be aware of snakes that may be swimming in the water to get to higher ground and those that may be 

hiding under debris or other objects. 

If you see a snake, back away from it slowly and do not touch it. 

If you or someone you know are bitten, try to see and remember the color and shape of the snake, 

which can help with treatment of the snake bite. 

Keep the bitten person still and calm. This can slow down the spread of venom if the snake is 

poisonous. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Dial 911 or call local Emergency Medical 

Services. Apply first aid if you can not get the person to the hospital right away.

Lay or sit the person down with the bite below the level of the heart. 

Tell him/her to stay calm and still.

Cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing. 
Protect Yourself from Animal- and Insect-Related Hazards After a Natural Disaster 

(continued from previous page) 

September 2, 2005 Page 2 of 2 

For more information, see How to Prevent or Respond to a Snake Bite

(http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/snakebite.asp).

For more information, see the following: 

•

o

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

Avoid Contact with Wild Animals (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/animals.htm) 

o Dog Bite Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/biteprevention.htm) 

o Healthy Pets, Healthy People (http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/) 

o Rabies Web Site (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/) 

o Rat-Bite Fever: Frequently Asked Questions 

(http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/ratbitefever_g.htm) 

•

o

American Veterinary Association 

Dog Bite Prevention Message Points 

(http://www.avma.org/press/publichealth/dogbite/messpoints.asp) 

o Education Resources for Dog Bite Prevention 

(http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/biteprevention.htm) 

•

o

Texas A&M University 

Medical Problems and Treatment Considerations for the Red Imported Fire Ant 

(http://fireant.tamu.edu/materials/factsheets/FAPFS023.2002rev.Medical.pdf)

For more information, visit www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters, 

or call CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (English and Spanish) or 888-232-6348 (TTY).