Diseases that Pets Can Transmit

Animal lovers need to be more vigilant because some animals are known to be able to transmit disease to humans. Diseases that are passed on by pets to humans are actually not a new phenomenon. More than 40 years ago, the FDA banned the sale of small turtles (with shells less than 4 inches) because of a proven salmonella risk. Because of this, it is necessary to be aware of the risks of owning a pet so that you can take precautions to keep it healthy. Pets are known to carry germs that can make humans sick, especially when the same germs are not harmful to the animal itself.

“Many infectious diseases originate from pathogens, viruses, which are mostly available in animal populations. As human populations increase and they move to areas that were initially sparsely populated, the opportunity for joint contact with animals carrying these viruses increases, groups are more susceptible to contracting diseases that are brought by animals are children under 5 years old, the elderly, and also pregnant women.Then, what are the diseases that can be transmitted by animals?Here is a list of pet-borne diseases that are often found.

1. Ringworm (dogs, cats)

Ringworm, a skin and scalp disease caused by a fungus, is passed from animal to animal and animal to human through close contact. Ringworm can also be transferred by touching an object or surface that has contact with the infection. Ringworm infection in pets can be subtle, but puppies and kittens can show symptoms – often hairless areas along with scales, crusting, and redness.

2. Campylobacter (dogs, cats)

Campylobacteriosis is a disease caused by bacteria that is sometimes transmitted to humans through contact with the feces of infected dogs and cats. Symptoms of infection that occur in humans are diarrhea, cramps, abdominal pain, and fever for two to five days after exposure to the organism. Usually, no treatment is needed, because the symptoms disappear within a week.

3. Cat scratch disease (cat)

As the name implies, humans become infected with cat-scratch disease (CSD) when an infected cat damages a person’s skin by biting, scratching, or licking open wounds on human skin. Although 40% of cats carry the infection-causing bacteria at some time in their lives, the potential is greater for kittens who tend to bite or scratch to be able to transmit the infection to humans.

The bacteria can cause an easy but painful infection in the wound area, causing it to swell and causing pus or signs of redness. A person with CSD may also experience fever, headaches, poor appetite, and fatigue.

4. Toxoplasmosis (cat)

If your partner is pregnant, make sure she doesn’t clean the cat’s litter box. This is because your wife can be infected with toxoplasmosis and then pass the disease on to her unborn baby, which can cause birth defects that affect the nerves and eyes.

5. E. coli

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are normal members of the human intestinal tract, but some types of E. coli are dangerous and can cause illness. The symptoms of infection are diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. Young children are more likely to experience severe cases of E. coli, including kidney failure and death. The bacteria can be transmitted directly to humans from contaminated skin, fur, and dander of animals, mostly cattle (especially calves), goats, sheep, and deer.

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