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Agricultural Health and Safety Fact Sheet AHS-08

Zoonosis Facts

Jill Webster Ph.D., S. Christian Mariger, Graduate Assistant Agricultural Systems Technology and Education

Zoonosis is de ned as “an infectious Frequent contact with domestic animals disease transmissible under natural conditions Overlap with wildlife habitat between vertebrate animals and human beings” Intensive livestock production (Mast 95). There are more than 150 diseases Poor animal sanitation recognized under the umbrella of zoonosis. Some Poor personal hygiene of the better known examples include: anthrax, Prevention is the key to the control of bursilosis, hunta virus, bubonic plage, hemoragic zoonotic disease. Good house keeping is fevers like ebola, rabies, and even AIDS. The important to preventing transmission and world’s most signi cant epidemic (the 1919 infection. Keep work areas clean and free of pandemic) was believed to have originated in animal waste and soiled bedding materials. swine near Fort Riley Kansas in 1917. This When cleaning dusty areas were rodent, bird, or inuenza out break accounted for more livestock droppings might be found, always wear casualties to combatants and civil populations a dust mask and use a solution of bleach and than bullets bombs, and poison gas combined did water to reduce dustiness and help sterilize the in the rst world war. Though otherwise healthy area. Bleach solutions can also be used to clean people seldom die of the u, these days it is boots, buckets tools, and clothing that are important to understand the mechanisms of contaminated with manure. infection, and prevention. Vaccination also oers an opportunity to In addition to infectious diseases, break the cycle of infection and transmission. parasites are also a concern for those who have Not only will a regular vaccination program close contact with animals. Hookworms, reduce losses, it will help protect the health of roundworms, and tapeworms are common in the human population as well. Livestock and pets both domestic animals and wildlife. They are should always have the appropriate inoculations. also transmissible to humans. Parasites are Pest control is yet another way to reduce usually passed through contact with fecal matter, exposure to potentially lethal diseases. Through where the eggs are deposited. However and prompt attention to insect and vertebrate transmission can occur even with out direct infestations, animal to animal, and animal to contact with animal waste. human transmission can be reduced. Several factors exist that promote Frequent hand washing, especially after zoonotic infection in an agricultural setting. working with animals, is yet another practice that helps in the prevention of zoonotic disease. Schreiber, Lori. (1994). Pet Owners Should Be Indirect transfer of contaminants to food or Aware of Zoonosis Diseases [On-Line], drink, are often the result of a failure to wash Available: hands. www.newss.ksu.edu/WEB/News/NewsR eleases/listzoonotic Pertinent Literature Agripedia, (University of Kentucky). (1999). Glickman, Larry, & Glickman, Nita. (1999). The Livestock Health Management [On- Epidemiology of Human-Animal Line], Available: Interactions: Part I Zoonotic Diseases http://frost.ca.uky.edu/agripedia/asc106/h [On-Line], Available: ealinter.htm www.vet.purdue.edu/supercourse/lecture Weber, Patrick. (1998). Rabies [On-Line], Texas Department of Health, (Zoonosis Control Available: Divistion). (1999). Zoonotic Diseases Bat www.pasteur.fr/Bio/rage/rageanglais.html Rabies [On-Line], Available: www.tdh.texas.gov/zoonosis

Utah State University Extension is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer and educational organization. We offer our programs to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Robert L. Gilliland, Vice-President and Director, Cooperative Extension Service, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. (EP/08-99/DF)