Zoonotic Diseases of Highest Concern in the United States
Disease (Cause) | Animals Involved | How It Spreads | Symptoms in People | Prevention in People | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brucellosis (Brucella bacteria) | Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, wild animals | Eating unpasteurized milk or cheese | Stomach pain, fever, chills, cough, joint pain | Vaccinate pets in geographical areas where brucellosis is present Avoid eating unpasteurized dairy products | Antibiotics |
Coronaviruses: COVID-19, SARS and MERS (severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome) | Probably infected bats | Breathing contaminated air from an infected person Direct contact with an infected person or contaminated objects | Fever, sore throat, loss of smell, difficulty breathing | Get vaccinated as medically appropriate Wash hands frequently Wear protective masks | Antivirals Monoclonal antibodies |
Flu, zoonotic (bird flu viruses H5N1 and H7N9; swine flu virus) | Poultry, pigs, wild birds | Direct contact with infected animals Indirect contact with contaminated areas | Typical flu symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, aches) Can be mild or very severe | Get vaccinated as medically appropriate Wash hands frequently | No specific treatment Rest, fluids |
Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria) | Ticks, which get the disease from infected deer and mice | Tick bite | Bull's-eye-looking rash, headache, fever, joint swelling | Wear insect repellent Wear protective clothing Check body for ticks after being in wooded areas | Antibiotics |
Plague (Yersinia pestis bacteria) | Fleas, often from rats, prairie dogs, or squirrels | Contact with infected animals or their organs, urine, blood, or saliva Flea bite | Swollen lymph nodes, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, aches | Apply flea control to pets Avoid wildlife Seal or otherwise protect your home from infestation by wild rodents | Antibiotics, usually in a hospital |
Rabies (rabies virus) | Contact with saliva from infected animals via bites Scratches from infected animals | Fever, aggression, irritability, fear or avoidance of water, death | Vaccinate pets Avoid contact with wildlife and unfamiliar animals | Vaccination immediately after exposure | |
Ringworm (various fungi) | Any animals, especially young animals or those with weakened immune systems | Direct contact with infected animals or surfaces they contacted | Round, red, often itchy skin patch with a crust or ring around it | Avoid contact with animals that have cuts or sores and their bedding | Antifungals |
Salmonellosis (Salmonella bacteria) | Reptiles, chickens | Direct contact with infected animals or their droppings Eating undercooked meat or eggs, unpasteurized milk or cheese, or contaminated food or water | Diarrhea, blood in stool, vomiting, fever | Wash hands after touching animals or raw food Cook poultry and eggs thoroughly Disinfect countertops and cooking surfaces | Antibiotics |
Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii parasite) | Cats | Contact with cat droppings Eating contaminated vegetables and fruit Eating undercooked meat or shellfish | Pregnant women and people with poor immune systems: flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, possible brain or eye damage Can be passed to unborn fetuses | Avoid scooping cat litter if pregnant or if immune system is weakened Wash all vegetables and fruit Cook food thoroughly | Antiparasitics, with or without antibiotics |
West Nile fever (West Nile virus) | Mosquitoes | Mosquito bite | Mild: fever, headache, rash, red or itchy eyes Severe: high fever, tremors, seizures, coma | Wear insect repellent Wear protective clothing Avoid areas of standing water | Mild: No specific treatment Severe: Rest, fluids |
Listeriosis (Listeria monocytogenes bacteria) | Many animals and birds, especially sheep, cattle, and goats | Direct contact with infected animals or their droppings. Eating undercooked meat or eggs, unpasteurized milk or cheese, or contaminated food or water | Fever, muscle aches, digestive symptoms, seizures, coma, miscarriage Can be passed to unborn fetuses | Avoid raw milk, soft cheeses, preserved meats and fish Avoid contact with farm animals or other animals that might be infected Wash all vegetables and fruit | Antibiotics |
