What infectious diseases are associated with specific animals or environments?

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Last updated: November 24, 2025 • View editorial policy

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Infectious Diseases Associated with Specific Animals and Environments

Numerous infectious diseases are strongly linked to particular animal exposures and environmental conditions, with livestock, domestic pets, wildlife, and aquatic environments each carrying distinct pathogen risks that require specific awareness for prevention and early recognition.

Livestock and Farm Animals

Cattle, Sheep, and Goats

  • E. coli O157:H7 is strongly associated with cattle contact and farm visits, particularly in children 1
  • Cryptosporidiosis is linked to cattle contact and farm environments 1
  • Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) occurs with exposure to reproductive materials from cattle, sheep, and goats, especially during birthing events—indoor birthing exhibits pose particularly high risk 1
  • Orf virus (contagious ecthyma) transmits from sheep and goats through direct skin contact 1
  • Ringworm (Trichophyton and Microsporum species) spreads from lambs to handlers and family members, known as "club lamb fungus" 1
  • Mycobacterium bovis tuberculosis can transmit from cattle to humans in agricultural settings 1

Swine

  • Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies mite) infests swine and can transfer to humans through direct contact 1

Poultry

  • Salmonella infections are strongly associated with baby chicks and ducklings, particularly from mail-order hatcheries 1
  • Chlamydophila psittaci (psittacosis) transmits from birds, causing respiratory disease 1

Domestic Pets

Dogs and Cats

  • Pasteurella species are the most common pathogens from dog and cat bites 1
  • Capnocytophaga canimorsus transmits through dog bites 1
  • Bartonella henselae (cat-scratch disease) spreads from cats 1
  • Dipylidium caninum (dog tapeworm) transmits when humans accidentally ingest fleas from dogs 2
  • Microsporum canis (ringworm) spreads from cats and dogs 1
  • Sarcoptes scabiei can transfer from dogs and cats 1
  • Salmonella has been linked to contaminated dry dog and cat food 1

Rodents

  • Streptobacillus moniliformis (rat-bite fever) transmits through rat bites 1
  • Salmonella outbreaks have occurred from frozen rodents used as snake food 1
  • Cowpox virus can transmit from pet rats 1

Reptiles and Amphibians

  • Salmonella is strongly associated with turtles and other reptiles, including fatal cases in infants 1

Wildlife and Exotic Animals

Primates

  • Simian herpes B virus from macaque monkeys causes fatal meningoencephalitis in humans exposed through bites or bodily fluids 1

Prairie Dogs

  • Monkeypox transmitted from infected prairie dogs in pet stores and childcare centers 1

Elephants

  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis has transmitted from circus elephants to handlers, with documented active disease 1

Zoo Animals

  • Mycobacterium bovis outbreaks in rhinoceroses and monkeys have infected zoo handlers 1
  • Cowpox-like viruses have transmitted from various exotic zoo animals 1

Aquatic Environments

Fish Tanks and Aquariums

  • Mycobacterium marinum infections occur in persons cleaning or maintaining fish tanks 1
  • Salmonella (including multidrug-resistant strains) has been linked to contaminated aquarium water 1
  • Plesiomonas shigelloides has been isolated from home aquariums and aquatic exhibits 1

Additional Animal-Associated Infections

Gerbils

  • Avian mites can bite humans in school settings with pet gerbils 1

Multiple Animal Species

  • Campylobacter infection is associated with farm animal contact and raw milk consumption 1
  • Leptospirosis can transmit through contact with reproductive materials from livestock 1
  • Francisella tularensis (tularemia) transmits through animal bites 1

Critical Prevention Principles

Hand hygiene after animal contact is the single most important preventive measure across all animal exposures 1, 2. Additional key strategies include:

  • Avoiding contact with animal reproductive materials, especially in birthing exhibits 1
  • Proper veterinary care and parasite control for exhibit animals 1
  • Restricting food and drink in animal contact areas 1
  • Removing tuberculosis-infected animals from public settings 1

Common pitfall: Indoor birthing exhibits pose substantially higher risk for Q fever transmission than outdoor settings due to aerosolization of organisms in enclosed spaces 1.

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

2
Guideline

Tapeworm Transmission from Dogs to Humans

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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