05/12/26 Public Health Education Topic: Zoonotic Diseases

Per CDC:

What to know

• Animals, including pets, can sometimes carry germs (like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi) that can make people sick.

• These germs can cause many different types of illnesses in people and animals.

• Animals can appear healthy even when they are carrying germs that can make people sick, depending on the disease.

The basics

There are many diseases that can spread between animals and people. These diseases are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacterial, parasites, and fungi. These germs can cause many different types of illnesses in people and animals, ranging from mild to serious illness and even death. Animals can sometimes appear healthy even when they are carrying germs that can make people sick.

People can get diseases from animals by touching an infected animal, its poop or pee, or contaminated items in its environment.

For a list of diseases commonly associated with animals, including zoonotic, vector-borne, environmental, and other related health risks, please visit:

Facts About Diseases that Can Spread Between Animals and People | Healthy Pets, Healthy People | CDC