Page 538 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

appendix 1

Important zoonotic diseases

Susan C. Cork

A1.1 Overview

Zoonotic diseases are diseases caused by patho-
gens that can be transmitted from animals to Many emerging and re-emerging zoonotic
humans. Table A1.1 is an abbreviated summary diseases are best addressed using a One
of some important zoonotic diseases. Diseases Health approach with veterinary and public
marked with an asterisk (*) are covered in more health authorities working together with
detail in the following section. Wild and domes- disease experts. One Health teams will
tic animals may provide a source of infection to engage other areas of expertise as required,
humans either directly or indirectly by the con- for example, wildlife biologists (for diseases
tamination of a shared environment (including involving wildlife), entomologists (for vector
food and water supplies). Always seek medical borne diseases), epidemiologists and dis-
advice from the nearest public health officer or ease modellers (to design surveillance plans
local health clinic if there is any suspicion that a and to assess risk) and social anthropolo-
member of staff may have been exposed to one gists (to understand how best to influence
of these diseases. Note that for some infectious human behaviour). Some examples are pro-
diseases, humans may be considered the pri- vided in the texts listed at the end of the
mary host and are considered to be a source of section.
infection for animals, for example, Mycobacterium
tuberculosis (a ‘reverse’ zoonosis).

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