Zoonoses and transmission from animal to human

Many of the diseases found in animals can infect humans. Some are mild, others can be serious. As a professional, you must understand how infection spreads so you can break the transmission paths with simple, consistent precautions.

You don't need to be able to recite all diseases by heart, but know the common types and how they are transmitted so you know when special precautions are needed.

• 01Salmonella and campylobacter — intestinal bacteria that typically spread via feces and unwashed hands.
• 02Leptospirosis — bacteria from, among others, rodents and their urine; can cause serious illness in humans.
• 03Ornithosis (parrot fever) — respiratory infection from birds, particularly relevant when keeping birds.
• 04Ringworm — a fungal infection of the skin/coat that easily spreads through direct contact.
• 05Toxoplasmosis — parasite where especially cat's feces is known infection source and special risk for pregnant

• 01Wash hands thoroughly after contact with animals, manure and feed — and always before you eat, drink or smoke.
• 02Use gloves and possibly protective clothing when handling sick animals, manure and cleaning.
• 03Cover your own wounds and clean them immediately after a bite, scratch, or sting.
• 04Keep work clothes separate from private clothes and change when visibly soiled.
• 05Use respiratory protection where dust or aerosols are formed, e.g. at poultry departments or dry bedding.

The same precautions that protect you also protect the animals from infecting each other. Quarantine of new and sick animals clean tools frequent hand washing between handling different animals and effective pest control are the core of biosecurity. Disease control is a chain — it is only as strong as its weakest link.

“You cannot see on an animal whether it carries infection. Therefore good hygiene habits are not something you do when you are worried — it is something you do every time.”