Zoonoses and transmission from animal to human
Know the transmission routes — and protect both yourself and the animals
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.
§How zoonoses are transmitted
| Route of transmission | Description | Example of protection. |
|---|---|---|
| Direct contact | Contact with animals, skin, wounds or secretions | Gloves, hand washing, care of own wounds |
| Admission | Infection via mouth — unwashed hands, feed, water | Wash hands before eating, do not smoke in the stable |
| Inhalation | Dust, dried manure, drops in the air | Ventilation, if necessary respiratory protection, moisture before sweeping |
| Indirekte/vektor | Via tools, fleas, lice, ticks, rodents | Cleaning, pest control, flea control |
§Examples you should know.
You don't need to be able to do everything from day one. The most important first impression is that you are reliable, willing to learn and respect the workplace's rules.
- 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.
- 03Orthodontics
- 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
§Personal protection in practice
- 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.
§Break the infection between the animals
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.”