FAQ: Do beavers transmit disease?
The beavers spent a statutory period of six months in quarantine to ensure that they were suitable for release. The risk to the public from these animals appears to be no greater than from any other wild mammal in Britain.
What about Giardia?
Giardia lamblia is a parasite that lives in the small intestine of many mammals, including humans and beavers; it is not particularly associated with beavers as a species. The low incidence levels in Norway where there are tens of thousands of beavers are similar to those currently in Scotland, demonstrating that beavers are unlikely to increase the risk (there was one Giardia outbreak in Norway in recent years, near Bergen where there are no beavers).
The trial population spent a statutory six months period in quarantine to ensure that they are free from G. lamblia. We intend to work with the local public health department on testing for pathogens.
