Zoonoses are diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans and can be caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses. Cats, dogs, ticks, birds, cows and rodents, for example, can serve as permanent or intermediate hosts for these infectious agents.
Zoonoses can be classified into:
- Zoonoses are considered a public health situation and.
- As a result.
- Regional and state programmes related to the prevention of these diseases are established.
- One of the measures is the control and care of pets.
- Incentivizing regular visits to the veterinarian for deworming and vaccine control.
- In this way.
- It is possible to prevent animals from acquiring disease and transmitting them to humans.
There are several diseases of transmission between animals and humans, but the most common are:
Human rabies is an infectious disease caused by the virus in the Rhabdoviridae family and can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected bat or dog, which is more likely to occur. When the person is bitten, the virus in the animal’s saliva enters the person’s bloodstream directly and can spread to the nervous system, resulting in the appearance of signs and symptoms characteristic of the disease.
The first signs of human rabies can take 30 to 50 days after contact with the virus, depending on the person’s immune system, and may be mistaken for a common infection. However, as the virus spreads through the bloodstream and reaches the nervous system, lower limb paralysis, mental confusion, excessive agitation and increased saliva production can occur due to spasms of the throat muscles. Learn to recognize the symptoms of anger.
Sporotrichosis in humans is a zoonosis transmitted by the scratches and bites of cats infected with the fungus responsible for the disease, Sporothrix schenckii, which is found naturally in soil and plants. Because cats are associated with most cases of sporotrichosis, sporotrichosis is commonly known as cat’s nail disease, but domestic cats who have vaccines a day are less likely to become infected with this fungus and therefore to transmit the disease.
The first signs and symptoms of sporotrichosis appear about 7 to 30 days after contact with the fungus and the main indication of infection is the appearance of a small red and painful mass that develops with the passage of days and pus form. If the infection is not identified and treated, the fungus can move to other parts of the body, mainly to the lungs, causing respiratory symptoms. Learn more about sporotrichosis.
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by Brucella bacteria that can be transmitted through contact with secretions, urine, blood or remains of infected cows. In addition, the transmission of bacteria can be carried out by ingesting unpasteurized dairy products, such as milk and cheese, consumption of undercoated meat or during the cleaning of the stable or the movement of livestock, for example.
Symptoms of brucellosis appear days or months after infection, with the first flu-like symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, more specific symptoms may appear, such as muscle pain, discomfort, abdominal pain, memory changes and tremors, for example.
Yellow fever is a disease caused by a virus whose life cycle occurs in mosquitoes, especially in Aedes mosquitoes. Yellow fever is therefore transmitted to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. In wooded areas, in addition to transmission by the Aedes mosquito, it is possible to transmit the virus by mosquitoes of the genus Haemagogus and Sabethes, and in these regions monkeys are considered the main reservoirs of this virus.
Signs and symptoms of yellow fever appear 3 to 7 days after the mosquito bite and the main signs are abdominal pain, headache and fever. The disease gets its name from the fact that the virus compromises the liver, interfering with the production of liver enzymes and clotting factors, increasing the amount of bilirubin in the blood and making the skin yellower.
Dengue and Zika are infectious diseases transmitted by viruses that have part of their life cycle in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which by biting people transmits the virus, which completes its life cycle in the person’s body and results in the appearance of signs. and symptoms of the disease.
Although dengue and Zika viruses are not caused by different viruses, dengue virus and Zika virus have similar symptoms, with headache and body pain, fatigue, fever, joint pain and red skin spots, respectively. In case of Zika virus infection, itching and redness and increased eye sensitivity may also be observed.
Like yellow fever, leishmaniasis is also transmitted by the bite of a mosquito, which in this case is the mosquito of the genus Lutzomyia, popularly known as a straw mosquito. The infectious agent responsible for the disease is the protozoa of the genus Leishmania, with Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania donovani and Leishmania chagasi being the most common in Brazil.
After the mosquito bite, the protozoa enter the person’s body and cause the development of symptoms whose severity can vary depending on the person’s species and immune system. There are three main types of leishmaniasis:
As symptoms can be quite compromising and enrich the life of the person, it is important that as soon as the first signs of leishmaniasis appear, the person goes to the hospital to make the diagnosis and start treatment, thus avoiding complications.
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Leptospira, which is found mainly in rats. Transmission to people occurs through contact with the urine or faeces of the infected animal, with bacteria entering the person’s body through mucous membranes or sores on the skin and causes symptoms such as fever, chills, red eyes, headaches. headache and nausea.
Flood situations, puddles and places where there is a lot of waste accumulation are considered high risk of leptospira contamination, as in these situations the urine of infected animals can spread more easily, with an increased risk of infection.
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease commonly known as cat disease, because the parasite responsible for this disease, Toxoplasma gondii, has as its intermediate host to felines, especially cats, that is, part of its life cycle must be in cats. In this way, people can become infected with Toxoplasma gondii through direct contact with the faeces of infected cats or by ingesting water or food contaminated with parasitic cysts.
In most cases toxoplasmosis is asymptomatic, however it is essential that the pregnant woman performs serological tests to identify the parasite, because if the woman has toxoplasmosis, she can pass it on to her child during pregnancy, which can lead to complications for the baby. . Baby.
The larva migrans of the skin, popularly known as geographic bug, is an infectious disease caused by the parasites Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma caninum, found in dogs and cats. These parasites are eliminated in the faeces of animals and when the person walks barefoot, for example, they can enter the body through small wounds present at the site, causing the appearance of symptoms such as itching and local redness, in addition to being able to perceive a small straight path in the skin, indicating the movement of the parasite.
To avoid contagion, pets are recommended to be taken to the veterinarian periodically for vaccinations to be updated and deworming. In addition, it is recommended to avoid walking barefoot in environments that may contain faeces of dogs and cats to reduce the risk of infection.
Find out how to tell if it’s a geographic animal
Thetenia is a zoonosis caused by the parasite Taenia sp. transmitted to people by eating pork or raw or undercoated beef. This parasite is popularly known as solitary because it reaches large dimensions, adheres to the intestinal wall and makes it difficult to absorb nutrients, causing the onset of symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and weight loss, for example.
The person infected with Taenia sp. releases eggs from this parasite into their faeces, which can contaminate other people and animals, starting another life cycle. Understand the life cycle of Taenia sp.
Lyme disease is one of the diseases that ticks can transmit, which are mainly found in dogs and cats. This disease is transmitted by the tick of the genus Ixodes infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which when itchy the person releases the bacteria and causes a local reaction that can be perceived by swelling and redness at the site.
If the disease is not identified and treated, the bacteria can spread into the bloodstream and reach multiple organs, which can compromise the nervous and cardiac systems. Therefore, it is important that the tick is immediately removed from the skin and that antibiotic treatment is started immediately afterward.
Learn about other tick-causing diseases
Cryptococosis is commonly known as pigeon disease because the fungus responsible for infection, Cryptococcus neoformans, carries out part of its life cycle in these animals, being released into the faeces. In addition to being present in pigeons, this fungus can also be found in soil, trees and cereals.
Transmission of cryptococcosis is caused by inhalation of spores or yeasts from this fungus present in the middle, which can lead to the development of respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal dripping and shortness of breath. However, if the infection is not identified and treated, the fungus can spread and cause more severe symptoms, such as chest pain, neck stiffness and mental confusion, for example. See more symptoms of cryptococcosis.
Cryptococcus neoformans is considered an opportunistic fungus, in other words, symptoms usually develop only in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV or cancer treatment.
All animals can transmit diseases. Therefore, transmission can occur in several ways, such as:
People who work or have frequent contact with animals are more likely to develop zoonotic disease, so it’s important to pay attention to both personal and animal hygiene habits so you don’t run the risk of getting a disease. For people working with animals, it is recommended to use protective equipment at the time of contact with the animal, such as gloves and masks, mainly to avoid contamination.
If the person suspects that he or she has a disease that may have been transmitted by animals, it is recommended that you see the doctor for testing and appropriate treatment.
To avoid zoonotics, it is important to pay attention to environmental hygiene and personal hygiene, always washing their hands after coming into contact with animals and keeping the places inhabited by animals in ideal conditions. In addition, it is important to keep animal vaccines up to date.
Ticks, cockroaches and ants can also transmit diseases, so it’s important to keep the house clean and dewormed to animals. At the time of pest control, if the person has a pet, it is recommended to isolate the animal in another room for a few hours so that it is not intoxed by the product used.
In the case of mosquitoes, for example, the government regularly launches mosquito control campaigns, demonstrating actions that can be taken to prevent the spread of mosquitoes and, therefore, the spread of disease. Watch the video below on how to prevent mosquito-borne diseases:
It is also recommended to be careful when handling and preparing food, paying attention to water quality and avoiding contact with unknown animals. In addition, it is important that the government promotes health control, hygiene and vaccination strategies in livestock facilities. Learn more about infectious disease prevention.