Tag Archives: zoonotic

Oregon Zoo treats elephant with TB

June 11, 2013 | Julie Ciaramella | Leave a comment

When an elephant at the Oregon Zoo was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis, it had far-reaching implications for more than just the affected elephant: the risk of transmission to zoo staff and their families was also a concern. Visitors weren’t at risk because close contact is required for TB to be contagious. Still, the zoo needed a plan, and it needed one quickly.

Read more »

share
Posted in Zoonoses/Shared Disease | Tagged , , , ,

Take precautions to avoid spread of disease at the dog park

May 31, 2013 | Julie Ciaramella | 2 Comments

The weather is warming up, so you might be thinking about taking your dog to the local dog park. Before you go, though, you should take some precautions to avoid the spread of disease. Make sure your dogs are vaccinated, says Dr. Susan Nelson, a clinical associate professor at Kansas State University’s Veterinary Health Center, because illnesses can spread at dog parks. Make sure that you and your pet are protected against fleas and ticks, and that your dog is also protected against heartworm. Talk to your veterinarian to make sure your dog is up-to-date on his or her vaccines and about flea/tick and heartworm preventives.

Read more »

share
Posted in Zoonoses/Shared Disease | Tagged , , ,

Pathogens go both ways

May 13, 2013 | Julie Ciaramella | Leave a comment

Over at the Worms & Germs Blog (which is a great resource if you’re interested in One Health and zoonotic diseases), Dr. Scott Weese writes that pathogens go both ways. When we think about zoonotic diseases, most of the time we think about animals transmitting diseases to humans — not the other way around.

Read more »

share
Posted in Zoonoses/Shared Disease | Tagged , , ,

Psittacosis reported in Argentina

May 6, 2013 | Julie Ciaramella | Leave a comment

Argentina has reported five cases of psittacosis, which is also known as parrot fever and ornithosis. It’s caused by Chlamydophila psittaci (formerly known as Chlamydia psittaci). Psittacosis is a bacterial infection in humans, and it can cause severe pneumonia and other serious health problems, according to a National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians report.

Read more »

share
Posted in Zoonoses/Shared Disease | Tagged , , ,

Scientists search for source of H7N9

April 10, 2013 | Julie Ciaramella | Leave a comment

Reports have surfaced over the past week about a new strain of avian influenza, H7N9, which was found in China and has infected 24 people and killed eight. So far, scientists say H7N9 can’t be transmitted from human to human, but they’re searching for the source of the virus and determining its pandemic potential.

Read more »

share
Posted in Zoonoses/Shared Disease | Tagged , , , , ,