10 diseases by domestic animals and common birds

Dec 4, 2024

TOI Lifestyle Desk

Diseases transmitted through animals and birds

Domestic animals and common birds can transmit various diseases to humans, often through direct contact, bites, or contaminated food, posing health risks. Awareness is key to preventing such zoonotic infections.

Rabies

Cause: Virus, Source: Dogs, cats, and other mammals.Disease spread by the bites or scratches of infected animals, providing openings for pathogens to penetrate human bodies, thus exposing a person to rabies or even bacterial infections.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Causing agent: Influenza virus, Source: Poultry and wild birds.This transmits through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments, leading to possible respiratory infections and health risks.

Toxoplasmosis

Cause: Parasite (Toxoplasma gondii), Source: CatsThis disease is spread through contact with the infected cat feces or soil that has been contaminated. The result can be parasitic infection, for instance, toxoplasmosis.

Cryptosporidiosis

Cause: Cryptosporidium parasite, Source: Cattle, dogs, cats, and birds.This is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated water or food or direct contact with infected animals, which leads to potential illness and health risks.

Brucellosis

Causing agent: Brucella bacteria, Source: Cattle, goats, and dogsThis infection is experienced through direct contact with the infected fluids or milk and meat of these animals that causes bacterial infection hence related health problems.

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Campylobacteriosis

Cause: Campylobacter bacteria, Source: Poultry, cattle, dogs, and cats.It is transmitted via the consumption of raw meat or directly from animals with infection, which may then cause illness.

Ringworm

Cause: Fungal infectionSource: Cats, dogs, and other household pets.This diseases is transmitted to humans through direct contact with contaminated animals or surfaces contaminated with their secretions, especially ringworm or anthrax.

Salmonellosis

Cause: Salmonella bacillus, Reservoirs: Birds, reptiles, and mammals (chicken, ducks, turtles).Infections occur through the manipulation of infected animals or the intake of food and water containing bacteria, and there can be possible infections, like salmonella.

Leptospirosis

Cause: Leptospira bacteria, Source: Dogs, cattle, rodentsThrough contact with water contaminated with the urine of infected animals, which might bring on diseases such as leptospirosis

Psittacosis (Parrot Fever

Cause: Chlamydia psittaci bacteria, Source: Birds, especially parrots, pigeons, and doves.This disease is contracted by inhaling dust particles containing droppings or secretions from birds, which cause respiratory infections or diseases, including psittacosis.

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