Do you know animals are also responsible for many diseases that appear in humans?
Do you know any infection can easily spread from animals to humans?
There are a lot of diseases which are caused in humans from animals, they spread either through direct contact (animals bite, animals secretions) or indirect contact (animals respiration, animals secretion droplets present in air, contact of drinking water or soil with animals sliva, urine or faeces and sometimes living with them in the same habit) and cause great damage in the bodies of humans by producing serious diseases that can even threaten their life. The animals can transit many microorganisms to humans and thus spread diseases in them in the most virulent form such a group of diseases that spread to humans from animals are called Zoonotic diseases. They are also of great concern and if detected need to be treated on a priority basis in order to save the lives of humans.
List of Diseases:
Some most common diseases which are spread from animals to humans and are very dangerous are listed as follows:
1- Rabies:
The most common disease that spreads quickly in humans is Rabies. It can be transmitted with the bite of a mad dog. It can also be transmitted from the bite of some other animals like cats, bats, skunks, raccoons and some foxes but the most common culprits are dogs because they live close to the human population and can easily get the infection as well as spread it to humans. The dog tarmits a special type of deadly virus named as “Rabies lyssavirus” that affects the central nervous system. The most common symptoms of rabies include fever, headache confusion, drowsiness, anxiety, difficulty in swallowing, production of excess saliva, insomnia and partial paralysis of the body. It can also cause death if left untreated within the first 24-48 hours of being infected.
2- Psittacosis:
It is a common infectious disease that spreads to humans from birds and is common in those working with birds as bird keepers or poultry farm workers. It is caused in the birds by a special type of bacteria known as “Chlamydia psittaci”. The most common culprit responsible for the spread of this disease to humans are parrots. Certain other birds like pigeons, sparrows, ducks, pigeons can also transmit this disease to humans. The most common symptoms include fever, joint pain, headache, malaise, dry cough and shortness of breath.
3- Cat Scratch Disease:
If you have cats in your house as pets you can get this disease because as the name indicates it can be transmitted to humans through a scratch, bite or lick of an infected cat. This disease is shortly called as CSD and the agent responsible for causing this disease is a bacteria known as “Bartonella henselae”. The common symptoms of Thai disease include fever, headache, chills, malaise, poor appetite and swollen lymph nodes.
4- Histoplasmosis:
This disease is also spread by the secretions produced by birds especially pigeons and bats. Humans can get infected by working in soil containing these birds’ droppings. This disease is actually caused by a special type of fungus known as “Histoplasma capsulatum”. The common symptoms caused by this disease include fever, chills, aches, dry cough and chest discomfort. This disease can be more severe in those having any other lung disease or poor immunity.
5- Plague:
It is one of the oldest diseases spread to humans from animals. It is a deadly disease that is caused by the bite of any rodent but the most common culprits are mice. The causative agent of plague is a bacteria known as “Yersinia pestis”
The most common symptoms of this disease include fever, headache, weakness, shortness of breath, cough, chest pain and bloody sputum. This disease later on develops into pneumonia very rapidly and can lead to respiratory failure or shock. This disease was one of the major causes of death in the early 20th century throughout the world.
6- Trichinosis:
It is also one of the common diseases spread in humans from animals. Trichinosis is caused by the parasite known as “Trichinella” which is a roundworm. Animals like bears, foxes, pigs act as a primary host for this parasite and when humans eat the uncooked meat of carrier animals the worm is transported inside the body of humans. Humans act as secondary hosts for the parasite, the parasite uses the digested food material as its food and grows inside the body of humans, reproduces there and transfers their larva outside the body of humans through faeces. When these faeces come in contact with different animals, the larva can get into their bodies and spend the life span in the form of a cycle. The most common symptoms of this disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.
7- Malaria:
It is the most common disease since many centuries and is transmitted to humans from the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito which carries the parasite through the infected blood. This disease is caused by a parasite known as “Plasmodium”. The most common symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, discomfort, body pains, cough, fatigue, diarrhea and increased respiratory rate.
8- Influenza:
Influenza is caused by a virus known as “Human Influenza virus” and the type of influenza virus that is spread to humans from animals is Type A. The animals responsible for spreading this disease are ducks, chicken, pigs, whales, horses and cats. The two most common forms of influenza that also spread to humans are Swine flu (spread through pigs) or Avian flu (spread through poultry). These can be transmitted directly to the poultry or farm workers and produce flu like symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, runny nose, eye irritation and cough.
9- HIV:
There is scientific proof that HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) the most deadly virus that produces a disease known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) has spread to humans through a special type of chimpanzee through their hunting and eating their flesh. This virus initially does not produce any symptoms because it inactivates the human immune system and at the end completely destroys the immune system and endangers the life of humans. The person infected with HIV can develop any kind of opportunistic infection and get many diseases at a time.
10- Lyme Disease:
It is a special type of disease that is spread in the body of humans through ticks present in hair. These ticks can transmit the infection very easily from one person to another while sucking blood from the scalp. The most common causative factor of Lyme disease is a special type of bacteria called “Borrelia burgdorferi”. The most distinguishing symptom of this disease is Erythema margins in which a rash appears on the site of infection as well as on other parts of the body. The other symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and neck stiffness. This disease can also produce severe neurological symptoms if left untreated.
Conclusion:
These are the most authentic as well as common diseases that can spread from animals to humans easily.
Some people also think that Novel CoronaVirus one the deadliest viruses of present times is also spread to humans from infected bats, snakes or other animals but there is no scientific evidence to support it so far that’s why we have not included it in our list.
