Which individuals should be most careful about getting a zoonotic disease?
Specifically, any human in contact with an infected animal or disease vector has the potential to contract a zoonotic disease. A vector is a disease carrier (i.e. insect, rodent, etc.) that has the potential to spread a disease from an infected animal to an uninfected human or other animal. As stated above special circumstances are frequently (but not always) present when a human develops a zoonotic disease. The following individuals may be at higher risk: infants and small children (immature immune systems, poor hygiene – hands in mouth, etc.) pregnant women (immune systems are more susceptible and there are additional fetal hazards) elderly (immune systems may be impaired) immunocompromised people (undergoing cancer therapy, HIV/AIDS patients, etc.) individuals receiving oral or intravenous antibiotics veterinarians, zoo/wildlife/primate and other animal health care workers. There are many sources of good information on zoonotic diseases. Information should be available through your
