ZOONOTIC DISEASES & PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES

ZOONOTIC DISEASES &PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES Companion Animals

Contagious diseases

salmonella • 40,000 cases/year • symptoms: diarrhea, painful joints • reptiles – lizards, snake, turtles • 60% of animals contaminated • contamination of home • not for children • Potentially fatal infection in equines, especially neonates

roundworms (ascarids) • Toxicara canis – common dog roundworm • Toxicara cati – common cat roundworm • puppies & kittens often infected in utero or by milk

humans & infection withnon human species roundworms • larva migrans (not reportable) • humans – 3000 to 4000 serum specimens/year • symptoms: • fever, pulmonary signs, enlarged liver • larvae wander in body • lungs, liver, eye, other organs

toxoplasmosis • Toxoplasma gondii – protozoan parasite • ingestion of infected material • symptoms: “flu”, muscle aches, usually nil • risk groups: pregnant women, impaired immune system – increased fatalities • pet: cat, signs: usually nil

psittacosis • Chlamydia psittaci – a bacterium • symptoms: endocarditis, hepatitis, neurological signs • number: ~50/year • risk groups: bird owners, pet shop workers • treatment: antibiotics

rabies • CDC rabies homepage • http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/ • Rhabdovirus • Neurotrophic virus • Incubation 3-12 weeks depending on species • Infection is usually via saliva/bite • Causes a uniformly fatal encephalitis • From clinical onset to death is usually 1 week

Transmission electronmicrograph

ZOONOTIC DISEASES & PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES