Zoonotic diseases refer to medical problems that are passed on from animals to humans. According to the Humane Control of Wildlife in Cities and Towns, more than 150 zoonotic diseases exist. It is vital to understand some zoonotic diseases in order to help prevent them from spreading.
Q Fever
The Mayo Clinic says that Q fever is a disease caused by the bacteria found in sheep, cattle and goats. Specific symptoms of Q fever include a high fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, fatigue, a headache, sweating, chills and a sore throat. Q fever can also lead to a dry or productive cough, chest pain, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting and a severe rash. As Q fever becomes chronic, it can lead to an infection of the endocarditis, the heart's inner lining, blood vessel infections, bone infections, chronic fatigue and lung infections.
Specifically, the coxiella burnetti bacteria causes Q fever. Simply inhaling contaminated dust can lead to Q fever.
Medications such as doxycycline can be used to treat mild Q fever. Chronic Q fever is treated with a combination of antibiotics determined by a physician based on the severity of the symptoms.
Tularemia
The Mayo Clinic says tularemia, also known as rabbit fever or deerfly fever, is an infectious disease that affects the eyes, lungs and skin. Tularemia is spread through exposure to an infected animal and insect bites. Fewer than 200 cases of tularemia are reported in the United States each year.
There are a few types of tularemia: ulceroglandular, glandular, oculoglandular, oropharyngeal, pneumonic and typhoidal tularemia.The Mayo Clinic says ulceroglandular tularemia is the most common form, and its symptoms include a fever, swollen and painful lymph nodes, a headache, exhaustion and chills. It can also lead to skin ulcers.
Glandular tularemia presents with the exact same symptoms with the exception of skin ulcers.
Oculoglandular tularemia leads to eye pain, eye redness, eye swelling, discharge and an ulcer in the eyelid.
Oropharyngeal tularemia leads to vomiting and diarrhea, while pneumonic tularemia leads to chest pain, trouble breathing and a cough.
Typhoidal tularemia leads to exhaustion, weight loss and fatigue, says the Mayo Clinic.
Treatment for tularemia includes taking such medications as streptomycin or gentamicin as an injection given intravenously (through the vein) or intramuscularly (through the muscle).
Rabies
Rabies is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by the bite of a rabid animal. Foxes and skunks are typical rabies carriers.
MedlinePlus says specific rabies symptoms include convulsions, drooling, muscle spasms, numbness, restlessness and difficulty swallowing. Rabies can also lead to a fever and pain at the bite site.
Treatment involves cleaning the wound with soap and water and getting the rabies vaccine. Also, human rabies immunoglobulin can successfully treat rabies.
