Zoonotic diseases and protection from Zoonotic diseases

Zoonotic diseases

                            Zoonoses are defined as "those diseases and infections which are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man". Zoonotic diseases may be due to viruses, bacteria, fungi, helminthes, protozoa and arthropods.

Some of the important zoonotic diseases are given below:

1. Bacterial zoonoses : Plague, Leptospirosis 

2. Viral zoonoses : Rabies and Japanese encephalitis. 

3. Ptotozoan zoonoses : malaria, trypanosomiasis and kala azar.

4. Helminthic zoonoses : taeniasis, ascariosis and filariosis.

5. Fungal zoonoses : Mycotic diseases 

6. Ectoparasitic zoonoses : Infestation with ticks and mites of dog.

                 Zoonotic diseases cause much damage to mankind by affecting the health or shortening the human life.

Protection from zoonotic diseases

1. Acquire pets only from a reliable dealer who practises good sanitations. Do not attempt to take wild or sick animals or monkeys as pets.

2. Have a veterinarian check over a new pet and provide needed immunizations.

3. Keep your pet clean and properly housed. Empty litter boxes daily.

4. Practise good hygiene.

5. Always wash your hands after handling a pet.

6. Don't let it lick your face. Keep pet's eating utensils separate.

7. Keep pets out of people's bed.

8. Health education to the general public should be accorded top priority.

9. The high risk group should be protected by administration of specific immunization. 

10. Infested pets and the areas where the pets commonly reside should be treated with appropriate insecticides for fleas, ticks and mites and their larvae.