Avoid very close contact with animals

Man has a long history of interaction with animals. Although this interaction is mostly beneficial, at times, this relationship brings about diseases.

Such diseases are referred to as zoonotic. They can be viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic. These diseases have become common due to increasing interaction between man and animals, either as food, companion or encounters in zoos or for research purposes.

Other causes of high prevalence of zoonotic diseases are human exploration into animal habitats and increased human movements and international trade in animal products.

Scientists estimate that six out of 10 infectious diseases are spread by animals, with about 75 per cent of emerging or re-emerging human viral diseases originating from animals.

The severity of zoonotic diseases varies from mild to life threatening. Their transmission can be direct or indirectly - it can occur through contact with body fluids like saliva, blood, urine or feces of carrier or infected animals. Bites from vectors like ticks, tsetse flies or mosquitoes or from infected animals can cause such diseases. Ingestion of contaminated food or water can also lead to spread of zoonotic diseases.

Vector borne zoonotic diseases include sleeping sickness, west-nile virus and lime disease. Food borne zoonotic diseases include brucellosis, salmonellosis, mad cow disease. Others like avian influenza and rift valley fever result from bodily contact with infected animals.

To prevent transmission of zoonotic diseases, you are advised to vaccinate your animals and avoid very close contact with them.