ZOONOSIS (pl. ZOONOSES)... simply speaking, these are diseases that humans can catch from animals.  “Reverse” Zoonoses are diseases humans can give to animals, such as tuberculosis.  There are at least 120 zoonoses worldwide, and about 70% of all “Emerging Infectious Diseases” (EIDs) in the world today are ZOONOSES.

Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted by bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, and parasites, and can be carried by most animal species, affecting humans in leisure activities as well as at work.  Simply being outdoors can expose you to zoonoses such as “West Nile Virus” (transmitted by mosquito bites).  Although very few people contract zoonoses in a university setting (because of good technique and training) it is important that you be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of these diseases so you will seek prompt treatment if they occur. 

TETANUS... is a neurological disease that causes severe muscle spasms, pain, and usually death. The organism is a normal inhabitant of soil and also animal and human intestines. Tetanus spores are introduced into the body through a wound contaminated with soil, street dust or feces. It can also be introduced through lacerations, burns, and punctures. Onset is gradual, occurring over 1 to 7 days, characterized by painful muscular contractions (primarily of the neck muscles, secondarily of trunk muscles) and abdominal rigidity. It progresses to severe generalized muscle spasms, aggravated by any external stimulus, and then death in most cases.

After complete primary tetanus vaccination, antibodies persist at protective levels in most persons for at least 10 years, in which case boosters need be given only every l0 years if wounds are minor and uncontaminated. For other wounds a booster is appropriate if the patient has not received tetanus toxoid within the preceding 5 years. 

To summarize:   
Everyone needs a "routine" Td booster (Td) every 10 years.  A booster is needed after the 5th year at the time of any of these injuries:

"UNEXPLAINED" ILLNESS.... Some ZOONOSES, such as West Nile encephalitis and tick diseases, cause brain inflammation, which causes neurological symptoms similar to head injuries (headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, light sensitivity, etc.), but these diseases usually also cause fever, and muscle and joint pain.  Always get immediate medical care for these symptoms, especially if sudden, severe, or unexplained.  For example,  “flu” in the summer may be a sign of a tickborne disease.  You should not delay treatment, and you should advise the health care provider of your work with animals and/or outdoor exposures (such as to mosquitoes or tick bites).

ANIMAL-RELATED ALLERGIES... …One of the most important health hazards of working with animals, feed, and bedding material.   About 30% of people with pre-existing allergies may eventually develop allergy to animals.  Approximately 10% of these will develop symptoms of animal-induced asthma.  Allergies can become so severe that you may not be able to continue working with animals.  Respiratory allergies, if present, usually start with runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing, but can progress to asthma or even anaphylactic shock.  If you suspect an animal allergy is developing, consult a doctor immediately.  Medication can be prescribed to prevent a worsening condition.  A “dust mask” may be used to keep dust away from your face -- let your instructor or farm manager know if you’d like to wear one. Further information;  http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/animalrt.html

BITES AND SCRATCHES... should be immediately washed with soap and water and reported to your supervisor or instructor.  Additional info:    http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/firstaidandselfcare/index.cfm

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS (HUMAN AND ANIMAL) and the USE OF “UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS...

All human blood and body fluids are considered a potential source of disease.  When assisting an injured person, assume he or she is infectious and don’t get their blood or body fluids into your system.  Avoid:

Similarly, when working with animals, treat all animal body fluids, tissue and waste as potentially infectious “just in case,” and be careful not to introduce animal blood or other excreta into your body.  Even “healthy looking” animals can sometimes harbor diseases that don’t make them sick but can make you sick.  Needles must be placed directly into a “sharps container” rather than being recapped.  Recapping can result in a needle either missing the cap or going through the cap into your finger.  Neither is very pleasant, and can result in serious diseases (especially in the case of a human blood exposure).  In addition to the “zoonoses,” there are “dirty wound” bugs such as strept and staph that can cause infections when introduced into our bodies. 

DIRTY WOUND ” BUGS, TOXINS, AND “ABSCESS” vs. “CELLULITIS”...  A pustule or abscess obviously indicates that you have an infection.  However, a non-purulent indication of infection called “Cellulitis” can occur when bacteria produce a toxin under our skin after a bite or injury.  Cellulitis is characterized by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and tissue damage (necrosis) and is often similar in appearance to snake or spider bite damage, but is caused by a bacterial toxin rather than a protein.  Therefore, cellulitis is treated with antibiotics to kill the bacteria, which in turn stops the toxin damage from progressing.  A “tetanus” (Td) booster) is also needed for cellulitis if it’s 5 or more years since your last booster.

IMMUNOCOMPROMISE/IMMUNOSUPPRESSION (REDUCED IMMUNITY TO DISEASE)...This can be congenital, caused by HIV/AIDS or other diseases that impair the immune system, cortisone/steroids or other medications, chemotherapy, radiation, etc.  Certain animal exposures and zoonoses can be very serious (or sometimes fatal) for persons with reduced immunity to disease.  If you suspect your immune system may be abnormal, seek medical attention for diagnosis, treatment and determination as to whether or not animal exposure is safe for you.  Do this immediately.

GASTROINTESTINAL ILLNESSES... Many bacteria and viruses are transmitted to humans by hand to mouth contact (specifically “fecal-oral”).  Salmonellosis, Campylobacteriosis, Giardiasis, and Cryptosporidiosis are some diarrheal zoonoses diseases spread in this manner.  If you’ve just handled an animal or its' excreta, bedding, or other substances and haven’t washed your hands, you can unknowingly introduce these disease organisms into your system when you touch your eyes or mouth, smoke a cigarette, or eat lunch.  The primary way to protect yourself from zoonotic diseases is to practice good personal hygiene – especially by good hand washing and keeping your fingers out of your mouth.

• SALMONELLOSIS…...Reservoirs include a wide range of domestic and wild animals including poultry, swine, cattle, rodents, and pets such as iguanas, tortoises, terrapins, turtles, chicks, rabbits, monkeys, guinea pigs, parakeets, snakes, dogs, cats, and humans.  Transmission is by fecal-oral contamination, producing a watery, profuse diarrhea for about 10 days.  Antibiotics are not very effective, and the illness can be lethal for those persons with a suppressed immune system.   

• CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS...…C. jejuni is considered to be one of the principal bacterial agents causing enteritis and diarrhea in man.  It is found in ruminants, swine, dogs, cats, chickens, turkeys, waterfowl, and rodents.  Transmission is usually from a handler not washing his or her hands after handling an animal that has diarrhea caused by this organism.

• CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS...C. parvum is a tiny, one celled parasite that can reside in the intestinal epithelium of many different species of animals and birds. Most normal healthy individuals exposed to this parasite never show clinical symptoms, but severe diarrhea may occur in the very young, the elderlly, and those who are sick or immunosuppressed.  There is no specific effective treatment for this, so dehydration, weakness, collapse and death may occur.  Avoid contact with sick animals and use good hand washing technique after handling animals or cleaning their cages or pens.

• GIARDIASIS...is a protozoan infection principally of the upper small intestine that c be associated with diarrhea and other symptoms.  It can be spread by contaminated food or water and human or animal fecal-oral contact.  Usually more serious in immunosuppressed individuals. 
  

LATEX ALLERGY... sensitivity can develop to latex gloves and other materials.  All students and employees should become familiar with the signs and symptoms of latex allergy: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/latexalt.html

COMMON ZOONOSES... This list is only a general guideline. These diseases and exposures are not limited to the following species, and these animals may cause other diseases not listed:

To continue Zoonotic Training, proceed to either:

“Farm Animals”   or
“Wild Animals”   or 
“Animals in the Laboratory or Classes or
"Fish, Amphibians, and Reptiles"