Pets Also Pose Health Risks for Backyard Zoonoses of Infectious Diseases [Study]

Pets or companion animals have been around humans for thousands of years, mainly after we learned how to domesticate them. In addition to the world's most common pets like dogs and cats, some owners dare to even wild animals, ranging from birds to reptiles, and fish, as another member of their home. However, there have been cases in the past that bite or scratches from our furry or scaly friends can lead not only to open wounds but also infections.

Now, a new study led by scientists in the United States has confirmed that pets and peri-domestic wild animals also pose health risks for backyard zoonoses of various human infectious diseases that threaten immediate owners and other humans. The said threat comes despite existing hygiene guidelines between owners and their pets. Researchers involved in the study argue that the matter is often overlooked or underappreciated.

Backyard Zoonoses

Zoonoses, which are diseases present during zoonotic transmissions have caught the attention of the scientific community in recent decades, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although virologists and the scientific community are aware of diseases emanating from animal-to-human transmissions, the risk of infections between pets and their owners are greater than ever before.

In the study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine on Wednesday, October 18, scientists describe these infectious diseases as "backyard zoonoses" which pertains to the transmission of different pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites from animal reservoirs to humans. The research team recognizes that the risk for these kinds of transmissions is increasing, in addition to the spread of viral infections from traditional wildlife habitats.

Urbanization and Climate Change

The Science Translational Medicine study warns that increasing urbanization and climate change is also increasing the dynamics of backyard zoonoses for different types of infectious diseases, asserting that it is not only exotic or wild animals that people should be worried about. Instead, companion animals and peri-domestic wildlife can also be culprit for zoonotic diseases.

For instance, the team cited an example that avian zoonoses from pet parrots can infect humans with Chlamydia psitacci, a lethal bacterial species that typically infects birds.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), although the bacteria Chlamydia psittaci is endemic to birds, it can also infect people and cause a zoonotic disease called psittacosis. The disease can lead to mild illness or pneumonia.

Companion Animals

In the past, existing research confirm that even the most common companion animals such as dogs and cats can transmit backyard zoonoses to humans:

• Plague
• Hookworm
• Rabies
• Toxoplasmosis
• Cat scratch disease
• Tapeworm
• Ringworm
• Salmonella
• Lyme disease
• Psittacosis
• Rocky mountain spotted fever
• Campylobacter
• Giardia

According to health experts, zoonotic diseases from pets can still be prevented not only through hygiene but also by veterinary care, as well as cleaning bites or scratches with soap and water. Identifying the presence of pet-borne fleas is also a priority since these small insects can carry diseases.