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[Zoonoses--a current issue in contemporary infectology]
Bolidar Antonijević1, Nadezda Madle-Samardzija, Vesna Turkulov
1Institut za infektivne i tropske bolesti, Beograd.
Medicinski Pregled
|February 13, 2008
Summary
Zoonotic diseases, which spread from animals to humans, represent 75% of infectious diseases and have significant public health and economic impacts. Understanding zoonoses transmission is crucial for preventing future outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Zoonoses, diseases transmissible from animals to humans, are ancient and pose significant public health challenges.
- Approximately 75% of all human infectious diseases are estimated to be of zoonotic origin.
- Zoonoses have substantial social and economic consequences worldwide.
Purpose:
- To provide an overview of zoonotic diseases, their classification, and transmission mechanisms.
- To highlight the public health importance and impact of zoonoses.
- To emphasize the ongoing emergence of new zoonotic diseases.
Summary:
- Zoonoses are categorized into four groups based on their life cycles: orthozoonoses, cyclozoonoses, metazoonoses, and saprozoonoses.
- These diseases can be caused by various agents including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, prions, and arthropods.
- Transmission involves three stages: excretion of the agent, its presence in the environment, and entry into a new host, via transmissive (vector-borne) or non-transmissive (fecal-oral) routes.
Impact:
- Understanding zoonoses is critical for public health preparedness and response.
- The emergence of novel zoonotic diseases necessitates continuous vigilance and research.
- Effective management of zoonoses requires a multidisciplinary approach involving human and animal health sectors.
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