Zoonoses refer to diseases that are shared between animals and humans or diseases that can be transmitted from animals to man. Zoonotic diseases are generally infectious and are therefore caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.
Wildlife are a reservoir for some zoonotic diseases and serve as source of infection to grazing ruminants. Zoonotic diseases are common and its number constantly increases due to the discovery new diseases. Zoonotic diseases are worldwide and therefore are a threat to the health and welfare of the public.
Mode of Transmission of Zoonotic Diseases
Human beings generally acquire pathogens by coming in contact with animals and/or animal products through various ways. The routes of acquiring the pathogens are inhalation, ingestion and contact with damaged skin.
Contact can be with the saliva, blood, urine, or feces of an infected animal or contaminated soil. Also bite from a mosquito or some other vector can also transmit the zoonoses.
Consumption of raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk or unwashed fruits and vegetables that are contaminated with faeces from an infected animal can also be a source of zoonoses.
Certain professions like farm workers, abattoir workers, meat sellers, veterinarians, wildlife and biologists are at higher risk of contracting zoonoses due to exposure especially if unprotected. Because of these interactions, it is important to be aware of the different ways people can get zoonotic diseases.
Some zoonotic diseases once acquired can also spread from person to person as was seen with the outbreak Ebola Viral disease in Africa in 2014. Some examples of zoonotic diseases from ruminants include tuberculosis, anthrax, dermatophilosis, babesiosis, foot and mouth disease, salmonellosis, Rabies and leptospirosis.
Prevention/Treatment
Prevention and/or treatment of zoonotic diseases in animals are similar as with non-zoonotic diseases. Vaccination, proper hygienic practices and use of appropriate drugs for chemotherapy will suffice. Isolation of the affected animals may also be necessary depending on the particular case be handled.
Elimination of the causative pathogens from animal reservoirs protects humans and good sanitary and hygienic with food processing and preparation are good ways of protecting humans from zoonoses.
Public Health Significance
Zoonotic diseases are a threat to public health across the world. The prevention, treatment and control of zoonoses place a serious burden on healthcare delivery especially in the developing countries with poor resources.
With globalization, food production, international in agriculture and international trade are affected by zoonoses. Because many people come in contact with animals daily and food animals are raised close to homesteads, people must be aware of the various ways zoonotic diseases can be acquired
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In summary, we have defined zoonoses and discussed how zoonotic diseases care transmitted from animals to humans. We have also stated how zoonoses are prevented or treated and how humans can be protected from acquiring zoonoses.
We have also been given some examples of zoonotic diseases that can be acquired from ruminant animals. The public health significance zoonoses has also been mentioned.
Zoonotic diseases are diseases transmitted from animals to man or common to animals and humans. Humans can acquire zoonotic disease by bite of a tick or an insect vector, handling or eating undercooked or raw meat, or coming into contact with the blood, urine, or feces of an infected animal.
Zoonotic diseases can be prevented and/or treated by vaccination, proper hygienic practices, and the use of appropriate drugs for chemotherapy.
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