Zoonoses

What are Zoonoses?

Zoonoses are diseases that can be transferred from animals, both pets and livestock, to humans. They are known as Zoonotic diseases. If you suspect you may have any of these diseases you should consult your GP and let them know if your pet is affected. This is an overview of some of the most common zoonotic diseases;

• Ringworm– Ringworm is actually a fungus or ‘dermatophyte’ rather than a worm. It causes itchy, circular, red lesions on the skin.
   
• Cheyletiella– This a mite found on rabbits and small furries. It is also called ‘walking dandruff’ as it can be seen moving in the hair. It can also bite people causing skin lesions.
   
• Worms – Either eggs or segments of worm are shed in the faeces of affected animals and can be accidentally ingested by people. They will cause diarrhoea and possibly weight loss.
   
• Giardia and Cryptosporidium – These are organisms called protozoa and they are also shed in the faeces of infected animals and ingestion of the organism will cause diarrhoea in people.
   
• Toxoplasmosis – Toxoplasma is another protozoa which can be caught from sheep or cat faeces. Toxoplasma gondii is the most common strain and it causes flu like symptoms in people. It is most dangerous in pregnant women through causing miscarriage if contracted in early pregnancy or stillbirth if contracted in the latter stages of pregnancy.
   
• Salmonella and E.Coli – Bacteria found in intestines of animals that cause vomiting and diarrhoea and are common causes of food poisoning.
   
• Campylobacter –Another bacteria which causes diarrhoea in people. Campylobacter jejuni is the most common strain and it is the most common agent causing food poisoning in people.
   
• Tuberculosis –Caused by the mycobacterium, M.tuberculosis, it can be contracted from affected animals. It causes respiratory symptoms such as coughing.
   
• Leptospirosis –This is a bacterium of the spirochaete family. It can be contracted from water usually contaminated by rat urine and can be passed from animals to people. It causes a range of symptoms from flu like signs to multiple organ failure.
   
• Psittacosis –A respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia psittaci which is caught from parrots and other birds. It causes pneumonia.

What should I do if my pet is diagnosed with a Zoonotic disease?

If your pet is diagnosed with any of these diseases or another disease which your vet warns you may be zoonotic then you should handle your pet with care and thoroughly wash your hands with antiseptic hand wash straight afterwards before your hands touch your face or you eat anything.

Faeces and urine of infected animals should be cleaned up and disposed of quickly and gloves should be worn whilst doing this.

Follow any additional advice that your vet gives you with regards to treating and handling your pet and how to prevent the disease spreading.

If you suspect that you may have contracted a zoonotic disease then you should consult your GP as soon as possible. Let them know if your pet has been diagnosed with a zoonotic disease and any treatment they are on.

Notifiable diseases

The distribution, prevalence and spread of some diseased is monitored by government agencies such as the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and agencies such as the Health Protection Agencies. This is to track the more severe diseases and prevent outbreaks. Some but not all of these diseases are zoonotic diseases. These include:

·        Anthrax: caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, can
         occur in cows, other herbivores and some birds.

·        Tuberculosis: caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and
          occurs in cats and cattle.

·        Rabies: caused by a virus transmitted by being bitten by
          an affected dog or other animal. The UK is currently free of
          rabies.