Diseases That Animals Transmit To Humans

Our dear pets, in addition to giving us affection and companionship, can transmit certain diseases to us. Young children or people with immunosuppression are the most prone to get infected. This is why it is important to take some precautions so that living with our animal friends is as healthy as possible.

What diseases can pets transmit to us?

Below we propose a list of the most common diseases that our dear pets can transmit to us, either through direct contact, through contact with a body fluid or through the intervention of an intermediary, as in the case of mosquitoes.

• Cat scratch disease. This is the most common infection that felines can transmit through bites or scratches, or simply from the contact of their saliva on the spot where your skin has been damaged. The first warning sign is a bump or blister on the wound. Fatigue, fever, headache, general malaise and inflammation of the lymphatic ganglia close to the infected area may follow. Normally there is no need for any treatment.
• Toxoplasmosis. Our feline friends are also carriers of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite , found mainly in their faeces. People with toxoplasmosis usually have no symptoms or those that are typical of the flu. In any case, pregnant women are those who are at greater risk, they can in fact end up suffering an abortion or transmitting the infection to the fetus.

• Lyme disease. Contagion occurs when a person is bitten by a tick that has previously stung an infected animal. The first reaction is a red rash around the sting. Symptoms similar to those of fever then develop. If the disease is not treated in time with antibiotics, joint inflammation and other neurological problems can appear.
• Anger. Although in most countries it is kept under control through vaccines, there are some regions in the world where it continues to proliferate and is the cause of the death of many human beings. It is transmitted through saliva from the bite of an infected animal. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, confusion, hallucinations, and paralysis. Rabies treatment must be started immediately. Animals that can transmit this disease are dogs, cats, farm animals, raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes.

• Human leishmaniasis. Sand flies are the transmitters of this disease. It usually affects dogs, and the participation of the vector is essential to ensure that the disease is transmitted to humans. Clinical manifestations range from skin ulcers, which heal spontaneously, to more severe cases in which serious inflammation of the liver and spleen occurs.
• Toxocariasis. It is a disease caused by the Toxocara parasite, which lives in the intestines of dogs and cats and is eliminated through the excrement. It usually affects children under the age of 10.
• Ringworm. It is a skin infection caused by various types of fungi. It can be contracted by touching infected cats and dogs. It is treatable with antifungal medicines.

Diseases transmitted by reptiles, birds and rodents

Even those with less common animals can run the risk of being infected.

• Reptiles and amphibians, through their skin and feces, can transmit a rare form of salmonella that causes head and abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, and rashes on the chest and back.
• Rodents are usually carriers of bacteria and viruses. Although these are uncommon diseases, they can cause serious consequences, including death, especially in the case of hantavirus . Rodents can also transmit leptospirosis , rat-bite fever, or a type of meningitis caused by the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

• In the world of the birds psittacosis it is one of the most known bacterial infections, and usually affects parrots. Transmission occurs when bacteria are inhaled through the dry droppings, secretions or feather dust of infected animals. On the other hand, the “pigeon disease” or cryptococcosis is contracted when a person inhales organisms present in the droppings of these birds.

In order to avoid possible contagion with your animals it is advisable to check the situation of parasites in your animals, always wash your hands after having caressed them, after having cleaned their needs or after having touched other objects of their property.