Zoonotic Diseases

What is a zoonotic disease?
ZOONOSIS: (zo"o-no'sis) pl. zoono'ses - a disease of animals that may be transmitted to man under natural conditions (e.g., brucellosis, rabies).
(From Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 26th ed.)
As doctors who work with both animals and their human owners, Veterinarians are an important source of information for zoonotic diseases. When a veterinarian sees or suspects a zoonotic disease, it is the responsibility of the veterinarian to alert the owner of the potential for disease spread to humans. Veterinarians can NOT offer a diagnosis or treatment for human owners, but must urge the owner to contact their human physician for consultation.
What Are Some Examples Of Zoonotic Diseases?
Zoonotic disease has a long history. Ancient Greece and the Bible mention the Plague. The number of potential zoonotic diseases 'out there' today is impressive. We hear about Rabies, Ringworm, and Lyme disease, but many other diseases pose a threat to humans.

• Plague Rodents, cats, rabbits, squirrels, related animals. A bacteria transmitted by fleas, aerosols, handling infected animals.
  
• Tuberculosis Caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Information about this disease from the CDC.
  
• Cat Scratch Fever Caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. Information about this disease from the CDC.
  
• Hantavirus What you need to know about Hantaviruses - from the CDC.
  
• Tick Paralysis Various animals affected. Requires the tick to be attached to the human - venom is released by the tick. This disease is classified under a broader definition of zoonotic dieases. For more info, please see the AVMA Tick Paralysis Q & A by A. Alan Kocan, PhD.
  

This is just to name a few of the 30 or so diseases transmissible from animals to humans.¹ Disease incidence varies greatly with region, in the United states and in the world.