Las zoonosis son diseases that humans transmit to animals and vice versa. The pathogens in question can be bacteria, viruses, fungi or even parasites. The transmission of these diseases is usually caused by direct contact between an animal and a human.
But it can also come indirectly via food, by a specific vector or the environment. Its severity and symptoms vary widely depending on the type of disease and the metabolism and health status of the infected person. The management of each situation will depend on the pathogen involved.
The condition zoonosis It comes from the Greek words zôon which means ‘animal’ and nósos which is disease. Every animal can transmit diseases. And many of the common human circumstances can affect them. Whether wild or domestic, no one is safe from pathogens. And proximity increases the risk of infection.
High incidence of zoonoses
According to World Organization for Animal Healtha WHO agency, 60% of human infectious diseases have zoonotic origins. It is estimated that these types of diseases are responsible for at least 2.4 billion human patients annually, of which an average of 2.2 million die.
Hay more than 200 known types of zoonoses. They are usually classified according to the type of causative pathogen: bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. And also for the method of transfer. Here are some examples Zoonosis.
Most important bacterial zoonoses
- About (Yersinia pestis)
- Salmonellosis (Salmonella)
- Leptospirosis (Leptospira interrogation and its variants)
- Listeriosis (Listeria monocytogenes)
- Brucellosis (Brucella)
- Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
- Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi j Borrelia mayonii)
- Tetanus (Clostridium tetani)
- Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
Most common viral zoonoses
- Rabia
- bird flu
- Chikungunya
- Dengue
- Lassa fever
- Hepatitis A
- Virus del herpes B
- Ebola
- COVID-19
Common parasitic zoonoses
- toxoplasmosis
- it had
- ascaridiasis
- leishmaniasis
- sleeping sickness
- malaria
- whipworm
- trichinosis (see image)
- fungal zoonoses (due to fungi)
- aspergilosis
- candidiasis
- coccidiosis
How are zoonoses transmitted?
The modes of transmission of zoonosis for people are varied:
- Through direct contact between humans and animals.
- Indirectly through the consumption of contaminated meat or by-products.
- By the existence of a vector.
- For the environment
- From an infected individual to a healthy individual.
Zoonotic pathogens can spread to humans through any point of contact with animals. It does not matter whether these are domesticated, agricultural or wild. High risk of contamination are markets that sell live wild animals or their by-products. And if they are illegal, the threats multiply.
He Excessive use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry farming is also harmful. By generating bacteria resistant to certain drugs, they leave people without elements of defense against them. Therefore, it is legitimate to ask whether zoonosis will be nature’s revenge on the actions of human beings.
As for areas close to wild areas, the risk of contracting zoonoses is greater. This happens because when natural habitats are minimized or fragmented, animals are forced to forage for food near humans. They feed on our waste and leave their pathogens behind.
Can they exterminate people?
Certain measures must be taken to prevent any form of zoonosis. And be consistent with your work. It is essential to control mosquitoes. lwash your hands regularly and thoroughly. And cook food for a long time, especially meat and even more so if it is of wild origin. Zoonoses: nature’s revenge?
Yet it is impossible to predict whether they will be the ones to wipe us out. According to experts, the COVID 19 was not the first and will not be the last pandemic with which we are confronted. If we don’t eat better, we will strengthen our immune system and live a healthier life. And if we don’t leave animals, especially wild animals, alone, our future will become increasingly uncertain.