By Megan Vick
With constant development all over our country, there has been an increase in contact between humans and wild animals (mostly bobcats and some coyotes). Now, it seems bobcats are moving into highly populated areas like Denver, Colorado and Los Angeles, California. Or, perhaps, humans are moving into their territory. This new type of “co-habitation” can have harmful effects on our health.
It seems the bobcat is the newest species to get up close and personal with humans. Some people report a mother bobcat raising kittens in their backyard, while others see them in the tree tops hunting. Firstly, it is very important that you DO NOT feed or attempt to pet bobcats! While they may seem extra fluffy and extra adorable, bobcats are still extremely wild animals and can easily hurt you.
You should also note that having wild animals living in close proximity to your home can create some issues for your water supply. Animals, cats especially, may have disease-causing parasites in their digestive tracts. When bobcats, you know, do their business, those parasites are deposited on the ground where they can make their way into the water supply.
Studies from the National Science Foundation's Evolution of Infectious Diseases (EEID) program show that humans and wild animals come in contact with each other more and more frequently each year. Sam Scheiner from the EEID said, "This study demonstrates that we and our wild animal neighbors are closely interconnected in ways that affect the health of us all."
Parasites and microbial cysts like Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia duodenalis, and Cryptosporidium can cause upset stomachs and diarrhea. Luckily, these little nasties can easily be removed with a filter of .5 microns or smaller. Most refrigerator water filters meet this description. If you have any questions about the micron rating of your filter, contact our customer service team at 800-683-8353 or support@fridgefilters.com.
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