Zoonosis

Definition: ZOONOSIS
noun: an infectious disease that affects animals and can be transmitted to humans

There are many zoonotic diseases, though some are more serious than others. However, all can create a serious health threat if not controlled. Those most at risk are children, pregnant women, the elderly, immunocompromised persons and animal care workers. The following zoonotic diseases can affect canines and humans:

• Bacterial infections: anthrax, bartonella (cat scratch disease - more common in cats but can affect dogs), brucellosis, leptospirosis, MRSA,
• Fungal infections: Blastomycosis, Cryptococcosis, Dermatophytosis (ringworm - a fungal infection of the skin, not an actual worm)
• Gastroenteritis agents: Campylobacter, Salmonella, Yersinia, Giardia, Cryptosporidium
• Parasites: Toxocara canis (roundworms), Ancylostoma or Uncinaria (hookworms) Strongyloides stercoralis (threadworm), Trichuris vulpis (whipworms), Cuterebra spp. (botfly larvae), Cochliomyia hominovorax (screwworms), leishmania
• Plague (transmitted through fleas)
• Rabies
• Tick-borne diseases: Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, Q-fever

More About Zoonotic Diseases

Veterinary Q & A: Zoonotic Diseases
The About.com Guide to Veterinary Medicine provides detailed information and resources to help you learn more about zoonotic diseases.

Pronunciation:
zō-ˈä-nə-səs or ˌzō-ə-ˈnō-səs
zoh-on-uh-sis or zoh-uh-noh-sis

Also Known As: zoonotic disease