What Zoonotic Diseases Spread From Pet Animals to Human Beings?
A zoonotic disease is a communicable disease which is naturally transmitted from animals to humans. Diseases can be transmitted to humans from ordinary pets such as birds, dogs and cats. Pets should be examined periodically by a veterinarian to rule out any zoonotic disease which may harm them or spread to family members.
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Psittacosis (Parrot Fever)
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Psittacosis can be contracted by humans from the nasal drippings of infected birds. A person may contract psittacosis, or parrot fever, by inhaling the dried droppings or saliva from infected parakeets or birds in the Psittacidae family. Human symptoms include chills and fever or possibly pneumonia. Infected birds appear listless, have no appetite and may have loose droppings.
Ringworm
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Ringworm is not a worm but a round-shaped rash which appears on the skin. It is caused by a fungus. It can be transmitted from dogs and cats to humans and grows best in warm or humid environments. The spores can survive on an infected animal's bedding or environmental surroundings for up two years. Animals may show no sign of ringworm but may still be carriers of the fungus.
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Sarcoptic Mange
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A vet can prevent the spread of sarcoptic mange by prescribing medication for your dog. Sarcoptic mange is caused by the parasite sarcoptes scabiei, which is transmitted from dogs to other dogs or to humans. The parasite causes itching and hair loss in canines. Humans can contract sarcoptic mange but will have the disease for only a short time; the mite can only survive on human skin for about three weeks. A human may become reinfected by a puppy or dog who has not been cured of the disease. Human symptoms include a red bumpy rash, itchy skin or blisters on the soles of the hands and feet. A cream derived from permethrin, an insecticide commonly used to cure head lice, may be prescribed to cure sarcoptic mange in humans.
Toxoplasmosis
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Women should avoid changing a cat's litter box during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It can be spread by a cat who has consumed the parasite by eating raw meat or wild birds or rodents. The cat expels the parasite in its feces and can contaminate garden soil, children's sand boxes or its own litter box. A human may inadvertently consume contaminated fecal material from unwashed or poorly washed hands.
Healthy people will generally show no symptoms when they contract toxoplasmosis. They may have vague flu-like symptoms for several weeks but will then feel normal. If later on their immune system becomes compromised due to an unrelated illness, the symptoms of toxoplasmosis may reappear and worsen. They may experience fever, mental confusion, seizures or loss of coordination.
A pregnant woman who contracts toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is at risk of passing the infection to her unborn child. The woman may suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth. An infant born with the disease can suffer from jaundice, an enlarged liver or eye disease. Children born with the disease may manifest serious symptoms later in their teens. They may develop mental disabilities, seizures, hearing loss, eye infections and blindness. A pregnant woman who suspects she may have toxoplasmosis should be tested by her physician immediately.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit boy and his pet image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com Cockatiel Karma image by Kit from Fotolia.com little dogs playing in nature image by dinostock from Fotolia.com pregnant lady image by Frenk_Danielle Kaufmann from Fotolia.com
