ZOONOSES AND FOOD SAFETY

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INTRODUCTION TO ZOONOSES
 ZOONOSES
DEFINITION:
• Diseases and infections that are naturally
transmitted between animals and humans.
• The word zoonoses singular(zoonosis)
originated from a Greek word zoon mean
animals and nosos means disease.
 WHO DEFINITION
• A zoonoses is defined (WHO,1979) as a
disease or infection naturally tranmissible
between vertebrate animals and man.
 Animal ZOONOSIS
Health

Zoonosis (Zoonotic Diseases) - all diseases

naturally transmissible from animals to man
 ZOONOSES
AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM:
• Zoonotic diseases had a tremendous impact on
the evolution of man.
• Most dreaded risk to which mankind is exposed.
• Ban of international movement of animals and
trading of animal and animal products.
• For effective control global surveillance is
necessary.
 ZOONOSES
AN EMERGING PROBLEM:
• From the last two decades the occurance of
zoonotic diseases have been increased.
 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
• Human beings depended on flesh of animals in
ancient times.
• Association of pets with humns.
• Living under one roof, taking flesh and milk in
raw form, use of dung in daily household
purpose and use of other animal by products
for clothing etc. predisposed ancient man to
these commonly shared bacterial,viral,fungal
and parasitic diseases.
 PRESENT ELECTRONIC AGE
• Animals are reared for milk, flesh,
transportation, fur ,manure, domesticated for
gaming, detection of crimes, tracking unsocial
elements, experimentation of life saving
drugs, trial of human and animal vaccines,
guarding livestock and housing and for fancy
purpose.
• The unquantifiable benefits of animals but the
zoonotic needs also to be studied.
• As per WHO 4/5th human ailments have their
location in animals or play a vital role in their
transmission.
• Few important of them
Rabies,Anthrax,Brucellosis,Tuberclusis,Salmon
ellosis, Taeniasis etc.
• Not only living animals but also food can be
carrier of zoonotic agents.
Pet Ownership and Zoonoses
Livestock and Zoonoses
 Agent

Environment Host

Zoonotic diseases are multifactorial and their occurrence is

affected by interactions between the host, the agent and the
environment
 Routes of Transmission
• Direct contact
– Bite, scratch, contact with infected tissues
– Ex. Rabies.
• Indirect contact
– Food/water-borne or touching infected object .
– Salmonella, E. coli.
• Aerosolization
– Inhalation
– Influenza.
Vector-borne (animal serves as reservoir)
– Mosquitos, ticks, fleas
– Ex. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, West Nile Virus
 IMPACT OF ZOONOTIC DISEASES

• Human health (death and disability)

• Animal health (death and disability)
• Economic losses due to livestock culling, deaths and
decreased production
• Cost of control programs
• Trade implications
• Indirect effects on people due to psychological
trauma (loss of pets, culling, loss of valuable animals)
etc.

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 Prevention
• Education and outreach
• Proper hand-washing and hygiene
• Stay safe when handling food
• Prevent bites from mosquitoes and ticks
• Stay safe around pets and livestock
• Keep your animals up-to-date with veterinary health checks
and vaccinations
• Proper animal management and care
• Be aware of zoonotic diseases both at home and when you
travel