What is a zoonotic disease?

What is a zoonotic disease?

Zoonotic diseases, also known as zoonoses, are diseases that are transmissible from living animals to people. Zoonoses are caused by a variety of pathogens including: bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions, and fungi. They can be spread directly from animals to people, or indirectly via a vector -- an organism that carries the disease from one host to another.

Zoonoses can cause illness in humans regardless of a person’s immune status. Therefore, appropriate precautions and preventative measures should always be taken in situations where direct or indirect animal exposure has occurred (see Prevention). However, zoonotic diseases are often more severe in people that are immunocompromised. It is important to note that many zoonotic diseases in cats and other animals may not cause visible signs of ill health in the primary host species.

How are zoonoses spread?

Zoonoses can be spread through a variety of means including:

·         Saliva

·         Scratches

·         Aerosols

·         Feces

·         Urine

·         Vectors

Examples of cat-associated zoonoses

There are a large number of zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted by or associated with cats. Detailed information is beyond the scope of this summary, but can be found within the links contained at the end of this article.

Some of the more common zoonoses associated with cats include:

Bacteria	Tapeworms	Fungi
Bacillus anthracisa	Dipylidium caninum	Microsporum species
Bartonella species	Echinococcus multilocularis	Trichophyton species
Bordetella bronchiseptica		Sporothrix schenkii
Borrelia burgdorferi	Ectoparasites
Campylobacter jejuni	Cheyletiella blakei	Protozoans
Chlamydophila felis	Sarcoptes scabiei	Cryptosporidium parvum
Corynebacterium diphtheria		Entamoeba histolytica
Coxiella burnetii	Roundworms	Giardia species
Francisella tularensis	Ancylostoma braziliense	Toxoplasma gondii
Group A Streptococcus	Ancylostoma tubaeforme
Helicobacter species	Dirofilaria immitis	Viruses
Listeria monocytogenes	Strongyloides stercoralis	Cowpox
Leptospira species	Toxocara cati	Rabies
Mycoplasma haemofelis	Uncinaria stenocephala
Rickettsia felis
Salmonella species
Yersinia specie

 

 

Prevention of cat-associated zoonoses

Previously, recommendations for prevention of cat-associated zoonotic diseases had been directed at limiting human exposure by removing pet cats from at-risk households. However, through routine veterinary preventative care, it is possible to decrease the risk of exposure to many of these zoonoses. Additionally, many zoonotic diseases that can be carried by cats are more commonly carried by people; in that respect, disease is more likely to be transmitted from another person than a pet cat. Finally, in more recent years, the proven health benefits of the human-animal bond has been considered to outweigh the risks it might pose.

Some cat-associated zoonoses, such as rabies, are preventable through vaccination. Others can be prevented or eliminated through regular testing and deworming. Establish a relationship with your veterinarian, and follow their recommendations for vaccinations and preventative healthcare which can help to minimize many zoonotic risks. Discuss any human-related healthcare concerns with your veterinarian who can help to liaise with your healthcare provider, especially if you are aware of any potential immunocompromised individuals within your household.

Finally, good hygiene should always be maintained around pets- wash your hands with soap and water after petting cats, cleaning food or water bowls, and after scooping litter. Stray or strange cats are best handled only by appropriately trained professionals.

Online resources

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) produces a website with information specifically for pet owners, with more information on cats and cat-associated zoonotic diseases as well as for pet owners in general.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) oversees the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases which aims to prevent disease and disability caused by infectious diseases. Their website contains more detailed information on zoonotic diseases in general, and is a good resource for more specific information on particular zoonotic diseases.

Submitted by Lauren Demos, BVMS, HonsBSc

Source : http://www.catvets.com/cat-owners/disease-and-conditions/zoonotics

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