Communicable Diseases Between Animals and Humans

Bhushan Jayarao
Extension Veterinarian

Department of Veterinary Science Pennsylvania State University

Whats Zoonosis ?
Zoonosis is an infection or infestation shared in nature by humans and animals
Animals raised on farms that are well managed (good housing, hygienic conditions , and balanced diet) on most occasions are free of zoonotic diseases that occur naturally in animals

Zoonotic agents
(bacteria, viruses, and parasites)
Zoonotic agents prevalent in many animal operations (1-50%)
Salmonella Campylobacter Listeria monocytogenes Clostridial spp. Path. Escherichia coli Cryptospordia
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Zoonotic agents prevalent in few animal operations (< 5%)

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Leptospira Coxiella brunetii

Zoonotic agents ALMOST non existent in animal operations

Brucella spp. Tuberculosis

How do human beings become infected ?

Direct Contact

Indirect Contact feces urine blood saliva

What are some of the zoonotic diseases ?

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The list of possible zoonotic diseases is quite extensive. A few of these diseases will be highlighted either because of their serious nature, or because they are more common in agricultural settings.

Disease causing bacteria found in animal manure and environment

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Salmonella Enterotoxigenic E. coli Campylobacter Listeria Cryptosporidia Clostridium tetani

Salmonellosis

When Salmonella causes a physical illness in animals or human beings it is termed as Salmonellosis

bacteria

How does Salmonella gain access to a farm ?

Most important sources of infection

Replacement heifer/ cows

calves

trucks

birds /pests

feed

water

visitors

Where does Salmonella come from ?

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Inhabitant of intestinal tract of

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animals

" birds " reptiles " insects

How does one become infected with Salmonella ?

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Contamination of the environment or food for human consumption by fecal material is the most common source for infection

Symptoms of Salmonella infection

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Sudden onset of headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and sometimes vomiting. Dehydration, Fever is almost always present. Anorexia and diarrhea often persist for several days.

CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS
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Campylobacter spp. People can become infected by

" contact

with infected animals or manure " contaminated food or water " handling infected placentas
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Poultry, cattle, puppies, kittens, swine, sheep, rodents and birds

Campylobacterosis
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Diarrhea, abdominal pain, malaise, fever, nausea and vomiting. The illness is frequently over within 2-5 days and usually lasts no more than 10 days Should any animal abort, one should wear gloves to handle the placenta and aborted tissues and be certain to wash hands thoroughly after removing the gloves.

Tetanus
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Tetanus is caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani. The bacteria is found worldwide and is a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract of man and other animals The infective bacterial spores usually enter the body through a puncture wound contaminated with soil or manure. Prevention for personnel includes maintaining adequate vaccination and reporting any injury to the unit supervisor.

An incident to remember .
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Joe catches his hand on a nail and decides not to report the accident because it is "only a scratch". Two weeks later, Joe is admitted to the hospital with abdominal cramping. Joe dies and the pathologist determines that Joe had tetanus. Had Joe reported the scratch to his unit supervisor, he would have been referred to his physician, who would have made certain that Joe's vaccination status for tetanus was current).

Q FEVER
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Q fever caused by a tiny, rickettsial organism called as Coxiella burnetii Occupational hazard Sheep, cattle, goats, cats, dogs, some wild animals (bandicoots and many species of feral rodents), birds and ticks are natural reservoirs

Q FEVER
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Airborne dissemination of rickettsiae in dust from premises contaminated by placental tissues, birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. Direct contact " infected animals " contaminated materials # wool, straw, fertilizer, raw milk This organism may cause death in humans, although more common are flu-like symptoms.

STEPS TO PREVENT DISEASE TRANSMISSION

$ Wash your hands with soap and water after handling animals; manure or urine, or animal products such as: milk, meat, wool, rumen samples, blood, fluids draining from wounds and placental membranes.

STEPS TO PREVENT DISEASE TRANSMISSION

! Never eat or drink in areas where animals, animal wastes, or animal products are being handled. ! Never drink milk which has not been pasteurized. Never eat meat which has not been inspected by the U.S.D.A.

STEPS TO PREVENT DISEASE TRANSMISSION

! Report all suspected sick animals as soon as possible so that the Veterinarian may determine the cause of the illness and implement any additional protective steps

STEPS TO PREVENT DISEASE TRANSMISSION

! It is best to wear a designated pair of shoes and jeans or coveralls while working at the farm (don't wear these items elsewhere).
"Clean the shoes very well before getting into car to go home-remove manure with brush and spray with commercial disinfectant. " Wash coveralls separate from family wash, or have farm unit do the washing.

Good Personal Hygiene

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If your hands have been contaminated by touching something loaded with bacteria or viral particles (feces, urine, saliva) and you do not wash your hands,
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can accidently introduce the bacteria or viral particles into your own mouth when you do things such as:
touch food as you put it into your mouth, # rub the corner of your mouth, # smoke your cigarette, or # even put on chapstick !
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If you care for your health .. you will Wash your hands with soap and water !

If you care for your health .. you will On the farm change into a dress and pair of boots for farm work.. AND also wash them regularly

If you care for your health .. you will

Report injuries and work related health issues to the farm manager !

Horses, asses, zebras (Equidae)

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Actinobacillus spp. Anthrax Brucellosis Cryptosporidiosis Equine morbillivirus Glanders Leptospirosis Rabies Salmonellosis Yersiniosis

Cats
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Afipia felis Anthrax Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae Bergeyella zoohelcum Brucella suis Campylobacteriosis Capnocytophaga canimorsus CDC group NO-1 Chlamydia psittaci (feline strain) Cowpox Cutaneous larva migrans Dermatophytosis

Dipylidium caninum Leptospirosis Neisseria canis Pasteurella multocida Plague Poxvirus Q-fever Rabies Rickettsia felis Salmonellosis Scabies Sporothrix schenckii Trichinosis Toxoplasmosis Visceral larva migrans Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Sheep and Goats

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Leptospirosis Louping ill Orf Q-fever Rabies Salmonellosis Yersinia enterocolitica

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Actinobacillus spp. Anthrax Brucellosis Campylobacteriosis Chlamydia trachomatis (ovine) Cryptosporidiosis European tick-borne encephalitis Francisella tularensis Giardiasis

Dairy Cattle
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Actinomyces pyogenes Anthrax Brucellosis Campylobacteriosis Cowpox Cryptosporidiosis E. coli O157:H7 European tick-borne encephalitis

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Foot and mouth disease Giardiasis Leptospirosis Mycobacterium bovis Pseudocowpox Q-fever Rabies Salmonellosis Strep. zooepidemicus Taenia saginata Yersinia enterocolitica

Swine
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Anthrax Ascaris suum Botulism Brucella suis Cryptosporidiosis Entamoeba polecki Erysip. rhusiopathiae Flavobacterium Influenza Leptospirosis Pasteurella aerogenes Pasteurella multocida Pigbel Rabies

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Salmonella cholerae-suis Salmonellosis Sarcosporidiosis Scabies Strep. dysgalactiae Strep. suis type 2 Swine vesicular disease Taenia solium Trichinella spiralis Yersinia enterocolitica Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Diseases Acquired From Rabbits, Hares and Pikas

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Brucella suis biotype 2 Cheyletiella infestation Francisella tularensis Plague Q-fever Trichophyton mentagrophytes