Several dangerous diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans, a phenomenon known as zoonotic diseases.
These diseases can have significant public health implications and may arise from direct contact with animals, consumption of contaminated animal products, or exposure to vectors that carry pathogens.
Here are some of the most dangerous zoonotic diseases.
Rabies
Transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected animal, especially dogs, bats, raccoons, and foxes, rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system.
It is always fatal once symptoms appear.
Ebola Virus Disease
Bats are thought to be the natural hosts of the Ebola virus, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and monkeys, as well as through consumption of their meat.
Avian Influenza
Certain strains of avian influenza virus, especially H5N1 and H7N9, can infect humans who come into contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments.
While human-to-human transmission is limited, these strains have high mortality rates.
Lyme Disease
Transmitted by ticks, particularly the deer tick, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
Infected animals like deer and rodents serve as hosts for ticks, which can then transmit the disease to humans.
West Nile Virus
Mosquitoes transmit this virus from infected birds to humans.
While most cases are mild, some can lead to severe neurological illnesses.
Plague
Fleas that infest rodents can transmit the bacterium Yersinia pestis, causing plague in humans.
While rare, cases of bubonic, septicemic, or pneumonic plague have occurred.
