Why are zoonotic diseases dangerous

Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment. An international report from , for example, informed that a total of 56 such diseases were responsible for 2.

These illnesses included rabies, toxoplasmosis, Q fever, Dengue fever, avian influenza, Ebola, and anthrax. Furthermore, respiratory, flu-like diseases acquired from animals wreaked havoc in the past century. The Spanish flu caused 50 million deaths in , and the Hong Kong flu caused , deaths in So, why are diseases that humans acquire from animals so dangerous? Part of it is due to our immune system. Part of it is natural selection. The specific animal that transmits the virus may also play a role.

One reason viruses from animals are so dangerous to humans is that people have no means to deal with them. Researchers explain that most of the viruses that enter the human body are successfully destroyed by the immune system or pass through our gastrointestinal system. However, now and then, an animal virus manages to replicate within a human host.

The moment where the animal virus replicates within the body of the first human is crucial. As this occurs, the human immune system must retaliate. The human body has never been confronted with this threat before, and therefore, has no pre-existing immunity in its arsenal — so it must devise one fast. But, this defense — part of the adaptive immune system — takes days or longer to activate.

Pet owners can actually do a lot. Bidaisee notes. Individuals should also do their best to stay educated. Try to maintain an understanding of the zoonotic diseases most prevalent in your area, and be sure to research those that affect any locations you plan to visit. On a global level, international partnerships are particularly important. Consider food imports arriving in the US. This treaty maintains many different guidelines for moving animals from one location to another. There are actually quite a few benefits humans can enjoy from animal interaction.

Some evidence suggests interacting with animals can help reduce stress. Bidaisee also says pet owners are healthier and may even perform better in their academic and professional lives when compared to non-pet owners. Introducing animal companionship is a good way to combat this issue. You no longer need to wonder what a zoonotic disease is. Public health experts believe the biggest threats are diseases transmitted from animals to humans.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , more than 6 in 10 known infectious diseases are believed to be zoonotic, and three-quarters of new or emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic.

Yet, the goal of predicting precisely which zoonotic diseases will become epidemic remains elusive. Unless it does. Webby said transmission of a virus to another animal, such as a pig, could cause the virus to change and perhaps become more dangerous. Juergen A. Richt said the danger of zoonotic disease has increased in the past 2 to 3 decades as a number of zoonotic viruses have matured to a dangerous point.

Why now? Richt cited a long list of human impacts on the environment, such as deforestation, the domestication of animals that used to be wild, and agricultural practices like feeding rendered beef products to natural herbivores like cows. These changes have led to the emergence and reemergence of many diseases.

Information on influenza A viruses found in many animals that can sometimes spread to people, like avian and swine flu. Information about antibiotic resistance and how it spreads through people, animals, and the environment.

To receive a monthly update highlighting our recent work to prevent infectious disease, enter your email address:. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. One Health. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Zoonotic Diseases. Minus Related Pages. Who is at a higher risk of serious illness from zoonotic diseases?

These groups of people include: Children younger than 5 Adults older than 65 People with weakened immune systems Pregnant women What can you do to protect yourself and your family from zoonotic diseases?

Healthy Pets, Healthy People.