Zoonosis- an Emerging Infectious Diseases

 

Zoonoses can be described as infections that people can get from animals. Children with low immune levels are having higher chances for these infections. For these infections, treatment methods are  chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or those who have had bone marrow transplants.

The risk of infection is higher when the person with low immune system who is playing with pets or handling pets. Usually, pets seem to be healthy with no symptoms. But still it can pass the infections from the bites, scratches or any direct contact with body fluids like pet’s saliva, pee or feces. Usually, a pet's environment might be contaminated, but there are some safe ways to handle and enjoy it with pets. One of the best ways to be safe is to practise good hand washing. Another way of treating this infection is to avoid new pets.

Zoonoses infection can be prevented by following some simple precautions.

Types

Typically, types of zoonosis will caused by :

• a virus

• bacteria

• fungus

• parasites

Zoonotic diseases can spread by mosquitoes and ticks which are the most serious of these infections.

Risk Factors

• If you handle a pet or any animal with a lower immune system will have a higher chance of getting an infection. Particularly, children younger than age of 5 have a higher risk. Because, children often put their hands and other playing objects in their mouths and they do wash their hands properly or often.

• And where you live places like a city or country or farms.

• Any exposure to animals living at zoos or public sandboxes.

• Any experience with wild animals or game

• If you don't follow proper care of pets or their living area, you will get a higher chance. You do not use a litter box when the pet has infection or bedding that is soiled with urine, vomit or feces.

• If you have direct contact with young animals like puppies,kitten then you will have a higher risk.

• And having contact with farm animals and their living places like hay and barns.

Signs and Symptoms of Illness

GI symptoms

• Diarrhea (can be severe)

• Abdominal cramps

• Poor appetite

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Pain

Flu-like symptoms

• Fever

• Body aches

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Skin lesions, scratches or bite marks

Diagnosis

Generally, there are specific tests to diagnose the various infections and diseases which can originate from zoonosis. Usually, the test results come back after 2 to 14 days. Your child specialist will tell you how long each test will take.

Treatment

Typically, treatment for Zoonoses will depend on the type of infection.

Activity and Diet

If your children has an infection with zoonosis, then the child specialists or nurse will give you any specific instructions on their diet or activity.

Transmission

Zoonosis can be transmit in different ways:

• through the air droplets

• by eating raw meat or produce contaminated food

• Or else through the close contact with an infected animal with disease

• by touching an area or objects that an infected animal touched randomly

• through the some few insect bites like mosquitoes or ticks

Many of the transmissions usually occur only when people go to hike, bike, boat or enjoy other outdoor activities in the outdoor areas.

Pet zoos are also one of the common places for a zoonosis disease to be transmitted.

And especially those who live and work on farms are in close direct contact with different types of livestock. Most common carrier of zoonoses is livestock.

Your family pet animals also carries ticks and fleas indoors which can then gradually move onto you and also to your family members.

Prevention tips

Zoonosis diseases are most common in the world. But in the US and some other countries work continuously to reduce the number of infections caused by insects and animals. One way of controlling these diseases is by creating food safety regulations. These food safety regulations reduce the chances of getting zoonosis disease from what you eat in a developed country.

Here are some other ways for preventing zoonosis diseases which includes:

• You should wash your hands diligently.

• You may use insect repellents or other methods to keep insects like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks away from you.

• You should practise safe food handling. This includes washing off all ingredients or products before eating it.

• You should avoid being bitten or scratched by an animal or any insects.

• You must vaccinate your pets and you can also take them for regular annual visits to the veterinarian specialist.

• You should talk to your veterinarian specialists about fleas and tick preventative measures for your pets.

• You must check for ticks while you have been outside.

• You should not eat,drink or touch your eyes and mouth while you are handling or in direct contact with animals.

• If an animal appears to be sick then you must use gloves to handle them.

• You should keep the areas where animals are kept clean and sanitary.

• You should be aware of areas where animals or insects may be out in nature, particularly when you participate in outdoor activities like hunting and camping.

• You don’t handle or contact any animal in the wild areas which appears to be sick. You should make sure to contact animal control or the local government to remove the sick animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are three major zoonotic diseases?

Ans: Zoonotic influenza,Salmonellosis,West Nile virus.

Q2. What is the classification of zoonosis?

Ans: Zoonoses can be classified as viral, bacterial, parasitic, mycotic, or unconventional (prions).

Q3.What type of infection is zoonosis?

Ans: Zoonotic diseases are infections that are spread between people and animals. These infections are caused by germs, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.

Q4. What is the most common zoonosis?

Ans: The most common zoonoses in humans are campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis. 

Q5. Is rabies a zoonotic disease?

Ans: Rabies is a zoonosis (disease transmitted to humans by animals) caused by a virus that affects domestic and wild animals, and spreads to people through contact with infected saliva through bites or scratches.