Text equivalent of “Disease from Select Zoonotic Agents”

[Author] The Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University.

Additional zoonotic diseases can be found on the C F S P H “Diseases from Potential Bioterrorism Agents” Wall chart.

• www.cfsph.iastate.edu
• cfsph@iastate.edu
• 515-294-7189.

Human Disease

Bacteria

Campylobacteriosis

• Campylobacter jejuni, C. fetus, C. coli.
• Route of transmission: ingestion from contaminated food or of fecal matter.
• Potential system affected: Intestinal.
• Incubation period: one to ten days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: Diarrhea with or without blood; fever; nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; headache; muscle pain.

Cat Scratch Fever

• Bartonella henselae.
• Routes of transmission: direct contact from the scratch or bite of a cat.
• Potential system affected: cutaneous.
• Incubation period: three to twenty days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: self limiting; mild to severe skin rash at site of inoculation; lymphadenopathy; fever; malaise; fatigue; complications and atypical presentation in five to sixteen percent of patients.

Chlamydiosis (mammals)

• Chlamydophila abortus C. felis.
• Routes of transmission: ingestion of fecal matter; inhalation; direct contact with birthing tissues.
• Potential system affected: septicemia.
• Incubation period: unkown.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: Headache; fever; vomiting; abortion; pelvic inflammatory disease; septicemia; hepatitis; kidney dysfunction; disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Ehrlichiosis

• Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia, Anaplasma.
• Route of transmission: ticks.
• Potential systems affected: respiratory, intestinal, cutaneous, ocular, neurological.
• Incubation period: seven to ten days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: headache; fever; chills; myalgia; vomiting; diarrhea; conjunctivitis; cough; confusion; children may develop a rash; severe symptoms in immunosuppressed patients.

Leptospirosis

• Leptospira species.
• Routes of transmission: ingestion of contaminated water; inhalation; direct contact with urine.
• Potential systems affected: respiratory, ocular, neurological.
• Incubation period: seven to twelve days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: biphasic illness; fever; headache; chills; severe leg myalgia; conjunctival injection; jaundice; aseptic meningitis; cough; dyspnea; acute renal failure; abortion.

Listeriosis

• Listeria monocytogenes.
• Routes of transmission: ingestion of contaminated food; mother to child in the womb or during birth.
• Potential systems affected: septicemia, respiratory, intestinal, cutaneous, neurological.
• Incubation period: three to seventy days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: in-utero death; premature birth; newborns may develop meningitis, septicemia, respiratory disease; adults may develop rash, papules after handling infected newborns, or placenta; fever; nausea; diarrhea.

Lyme Disease

• Borrelia burgdorferi.
• Route of transmission: ticks.
• Potential system affected: cutaneous.
• Incubation period: seven to fourteen days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: “bulls eye” rash with central clearing; malaise; fatigue; fever; headache; stiff neck; myalgia; arthralgia; lymphadenopathy; chronic recurring arthritis.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

• Rickettsia rickettsii.
• Route of transmission: ticks.
• Potential systems affected: intestinal, cutaneous, ocular, neurological.
• Incubation period: two to fourteen days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: fever; chills; malaise; headache; myalgia; vomiting; diarrhea; edema of the face or extremities; conjunctivitis; non pruritic macular rash that may involve palms of hands or soles of feet; coma.

Salmonellosis

• Salmonella species.
• Route of transmission: ingestion of fecal matter.
• Potential systems affected: septicemia, intestinal, neurological.
• Incubation period: twelve hours to eighteen days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: acute enterocolitis; headache; abdominal pain; diarrhea; nausea; fever; septicemia; meningitis. Disease may be severe in the very young, elderly, or immunosuppressed patients.

Streptococcosis

• Streptococcus canis, S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus, S. iniae, S. suis.
• Routes of transmission: ingestion of contaminated food; inhalation; direct contact with an infected animal.
• Potential systems affected: septicemia, respiratory, cutaneous, neurological.
• Incubation period: hours to three days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: pharyngitis; pyoderma; abscesses; cellulitis; endocarditis; polyarthritis; pneumonia; septicemia; streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Tuberculosis (bovine)

• Mycobacterium bovis.
• Routes of transmission: ingestion of unpasteurized milk or dairy products; inhalation.
• Potential systems affected: respiratory, neurological.
• Incubation period: variable.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: may be asymptomatic; clinical signs depend upon route of infection; cervical adenitis; genitourinary infection; lesions in bones and joints; meningitis; pneumonia; may be severe in immunosuppressed patients.

Fungi

Cryptococcosis

• Cryptococcus neoformans.
• Route of transmission: inhalation of infected pigeon droppings.
• Potential systems affected: respiratory, neurological.
• Incubation period: unkown.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: most asymptomatic; fever; malaise; coughing; chest pain; dyspnea; headache; weight loss; may cause meningoencephalitis in immunosuppressed patients; death.

Dermatophytosis

• Microsporum species, Trichophyton species.
• Route of transmission: direct contact with an infected animal.
• Potential system affected: cutaneous.
• Incubation period: seven to fourteen days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: “ringworm”, raised, inflamed, pruritic, circular lesion with central clearing; alopecia; thick, discolored nails; may disseminate in immunosuppressed patients.

Parasites

Ascariasis (Mange)

• Numerous species of mites.
• Route of transmission: direct contact with an infected animal.
• Potential system affected: cutaneous.
• Incubation period: one to four days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: severe pruritus on arms, chest, abdomen, thighs; macules, papules, pustules; possible severe painful dermatitis with allergic reactions and chronic lesions.

Baylisascariasis

• Baylisascaris procyonis.
• Route of transmission: infection of fecal matter.
• Potential systems affected: respiratory, ocular, neurological.
• Incubation period: seven to thirty days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: symptoms vary with number and location of larvae: fever; nausea; lethargy; hepatomegaly; pneumonitis; neurological signs; brain damage; blindness; death.

Cysticercosis

• Taenia species.
• Route of transmission: ingestion of fecal matter.
• Potential systems affected: ocular, neurological.
• Incubation period: ten days to years.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: symptoms vary with number and location of larvae; chronic headaches, seizures most common; stroke; focal neurological signs; blurred vision; death.

Echinococcosis (hydatid disease)

• Echinococcus granulosus, E. multilocularis.
• Route of transmission: ingestion of fecal matter.
• Potential systems affected: respiratory, intestinal, ocular, neurological.
• Incubation period: months to years.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: asymptomatic; signs associated with mass lesion; liver and lungs most common; abdominal pain; vomiting; jaundice; liver failure; cough; chest pain; blindness; seizures.

Giardiasis

• Giardia intestinalis.
• Route of transmission: ingestion of contaminated water or fecal matter.
• Potential system affected: intestinal.
• Incubation period: one to twenty five days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: sudden onset of diarrhea with foul smelling stools; abdominal cramps; bloating; flatulence; nausea; fatigue; dehydration; chronic infections may occur.

Larva Migrans (cutaneous)

• Ancylostoma species.
• Route of transmission: directed contact with larvae.
• Potential system affected: cutaneous.
• Incubation period: seven to fourteen days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: pruritus; winding threadlike cutaneous lesion with erythema and swelling.

Larva Migrans (visceral, ocular)

• Toxocara species.
• Route of transmission: ingestion of fecal matter.
• Potential systems affected: respiratory, intestinal, ocular, neurological.
• Incubation period: weeks to months.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: severe in young children; fever; cough; hepatomegaly; pneumonia; ocular invastion; vomiting; weakness; anorexia; arthralgia; myalgia; lymphadenopathy.

Leishmaniasis

• Leishmania species.
• Route of transmission: sand flies.
• Potential system affected: cutaneous.
• Incubation period: seven days to years.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: Cutaneous: papule; ulcer; may be chronic; Visceral: prolonged undulant fever; splenomegaly; hepatomegaly; fatal if untreated.

Sarcocystosis

• Sarcocystis species.
• Route of transmission: ingestion of fecal matter or undercooked meat.
• Potential system affected: intestinal.
• Incubation period: three hours to eighteen days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: asymptomatic to chronic; painful myositis; erythema; muscle weakness; intestinal form usually self limiting; fever; diarrhea; vomiting.

Taeniasis

• Taenia species.
• Route of transmission: ingestion of undercooked beef or pork.
• Potential system affected: intestinal.
• Incubation period: ten days to years.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: may be asymptomatic; symptoms more common in children; abdominal pain; diarrhea or constipation; nausea; decreased or increased appetite; weight loss.

Toxoplasmosis

• Toxoplasma gondii.
• Route of transmission: ingestion of fecal matter or undercooked meat.
• Potential system affected: neurological.
• Incubation period: five to twenty three days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: flu like signs; fetal death; congenital abnormalities, (hydrocephaly, microcephaly); severe in immunocompromised patients; encephalitis.

Trichuriasis

• Trichuris suis, T. trichiura T. vulpis.
• Route of transmission: ingestion of fecal matter.
• Potential system affected: intestinal.
• Incubation period: variable.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: often asymptomatic; may develop chronic diarrhea; abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; flatulence; headache; weight loss; anemia; children may develop rectal prolapse.

Viruses

Contagious Ecthyma (Orf)

• Parapoxvirus.
• Route of transmission: direct contact with an affected animal.
• Potential system affected: cutaneous.
• Incubation period: three to seven days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: small, firm papule at site of inoculation progressing to a weeping nodule that develops a thick crust; low grade fever; mild lymphadenopathy.

Influenza

• Influenzavirus.
• Routes of transmission: inhalation; direct contact with nasal secretions.
• Potential systems affected: respiratory, intestinal.
• Incubation period: one to four days.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: fever; chills; anorexia; headache; myalgia; weakness; sneezing; rhinitis; sore throat; non productive cough; pneumonia; nausea, vomiting, otitis media in children; death.

Rabies

• Lyssavirus.
• Routes of transmission: direct contact (infective saliva into break in skin, on mucous membranes); organ transplant.
• Potential system affected: neurological.
• Incubation period: one to three months.
• Prominent clinical signs and symptoms: headache; fever; malaise; abnormal behavior; paresis or paralysis; difficulty swallowing; delirium; convulsions; death.

Animal Disease

Bacteria

Campylobacteriosis

• Campylobacter jejuni, C. fetus, C. coli.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in cattle, sheep, goats; mild in pigs, dogs, cats, birds.
• Other potentially affected species: ferrets, hamsters, mink, non human primates.
• Incubation period: three to twenty five days.
• Prominent clinical signs: mucoid, watery, or blood flecked diarrhea in many species; Cattle, Goats, sheep: abortion; Hamsters: “wet tail”; may be fatal in newly hatched chicks; asymptomatic carriers common.

Cat Scratch Fever

• Bartonella henselae.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: mild in cats.
• Other potentially affected species: bobcats, cheetahs, cougars, panthers.
• Incubation period: two to sixteen days.
• Prominent clinical signs: no natural occurring disease reported; research studies have produced fever; lethargy; anorexia; myalgia; lymphadenopathy; transient behavioral and neurological dysfunction.

Chlamydiosis (mammals)

• Chlamydophila abortus, C. felis.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in sheep, goats; moderate in cats; mild in cattle.
• Other potentially affected species: deer, llamas.
• Incubation period: three to ten days in cats; others vary.
• Prominent clinical signs: Goats, Sheep: late term abortion; stillbirths; low birth weight or premature offspring; Cats: fever; conjunctivitis; ocular discharge; corneal ulcers rhinitis; Cattle: sporadic abortions.

Ehrlichiosis

• Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia, Anaplasma.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in dogs; moderate in cattle, sheep, horses.
• Other potentially affected species: coyotes, llamas, non human primates, red foxes, rodents, wild ruminants.
• Incubation period: one to twenty days.
• Prominent clinical signs: Dogs, Horses: fever; lethargy; anorexia; petechiae; lameness; edema in hind legs; Dogs may develop bleeding disorders; Cattle, Sheep: abortions.

Leptospirosis

• Leptospira species.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in cattle, pigs, dogs; moderate in sheep, goats, horses.
• Other potentially affected species: rodents, sea lions, seals.
• Incubation period: four to twelve days.
• Prominent clinical signs: Cattle, Goats, Pigs, Sheep: abortions; decreased fertility; Calves, Piglets: fever; diarrhea; meningitis; Dogs: variable; hemorrhagic syndromes; kidney disease; Horses: ocular lesions.

Lyme Disease

• Borrelia burgdorferi.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: moderate in horses, dogs.
• Other potentially affected species: deer, opossums, raccoons, rodents.
• Incubation period: two to five months.
• Prominent clinical signs: Dogs: lameness; arthritis; Horses: lameness; arthritis; encephalitis; uveitis; dermatitis; edema of the limbs; abortion.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

• Rickettsia rickettsii.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: moderate in dogs.
• Other potentially affected species: opossums, rabbits, rodents.
• Incubation period: two to fourteen days.
• Prominent clinical signs: fever; anorexia; depression; lymphadenopathy; dyspnea; diarrhea; vomiting; joint or muscle pain; edema of the face or extremities; petechiae of oral or ocular membranes; ataxia; paraparesis; seizures; renal failure; coma.

Salmonellosis

• Salmonella species.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: moderate in horses; mild in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, birds.
• Other potentially affected species: reptiles (turtles, lizards, snakes); amphibians (frogs); hedgehogs; livestock species (cattle, poultry).
• Incubation period: variable.
• Prominent clinical signs: clinical disease uncommon; most asymptomatic; anorexia; listlessness; osteomyelitis; osteoarthritis; subcutaneous abscesses; septicemia; death.

Streptococcosis

• Streptococcus canis, S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus, S. iniae, S. suis.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in pigs, horses, dogs, cats; moderate in cattle, sheep, goats.
• Other potentially affected species: bison, ferrets, fish, foxes, guinea pigs, non human primates.
• Incubation period: varies with form.
• Prominent clinical signs: mastitis; metritis; placentitis; abortion; septicemia; wound infection; polyarthritis; pleuritis; endocarditis; abscesses; pneumonia; meningitis; pyoderma; toxic shock; death; Guinea Pigs: cervical lymphadenitis.

Tuberculosis (bovine)

• Mycobacterium bovis.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, cats.
• Other potentially affected species: badgers, cervids, non human primates, zoo animals.
• Incubation period: variable.
• Prominent clinical signs: chronic condition; may be asymptomatic; weakness; anorexia; weight loss; lymphadenopathy; bronchopneumonia; dyspnea; Calves: ingestion of infected milk may cause retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy.

Fungi

Cryptococcosis

• Cryptococcusneoformans.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in dogs, cats; moderate in horses; mild in cattle, sheep, goats.
• Other potentially affected species: ferrets, foxes, guinea pigs, llamas, mink, non human primates.
• Incubation period: unknown.
• Prominent clinical signs: Cats: chronic rhinitis; sinusitis; lymphadenopathy; non pruritic nodules on face; CNS disease; ocular lesions; osteomyelitis; Cattle, Goats, Sheep: mastitis; Dogs: neurologic disease; Horses: obstructive growths in the naval cavity.

Dermatophytosis

• Microsporum species, Trichophyton species.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: mild in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, birds.
• Other potentially affected species: rabbits, rodents.
• Incubation period: two to four weeks.
• Prominent clinical signs: young animals most susceptible; adults may be asymptomatic; small circular areas of alopecia; flaky skin; most species non pruritic; Pigs: wrinkled lesion with thin brown, easily removed scab.

Parasites

Acariasis (Mange)

• Numerous species of mites.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: moderate in pigs, dogs, cats, birds; mild in cattle, sheep, goats, horses.
• Other potentially affected species: bats, felids, foxes, guinea pigs, rabbits, raccoons, rodents.
• Incubation period: ten to sixty days.
• Prominent clinical signs: pruritic; secondary pyoderma; depression; anorexia; chronic infection may lead to hyperkeratotic lesions; fatal infestations may be seen in wild animals.

Baylisascariasis

• Baylisascaris procyonis.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in birds; mild in dogs.
• Other potentially affected species: rabbits, raccoons, rodents, kinkajous, non human primates.
• Incubation period: ten to twenty days.
• Prominent clinical signs: Dogs, Raccoons: usually asymptomatic; Rodents, Rabbits: neurological signs; circling; torticollis; ataxia; head tremors; progressive weakness; dysphagia; death.

Cysticercosis

• Taenia species.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in sheep; moderate in cattle, goats, pigs, dogs, cats.
• Other potentially affected species: bears, llamas, rabbits, rodents, non human primates, wild ruminants.
• Incubation period: ten days to six months.
• Prominent clinical signs: severity of clinical signs depends upon number and location of larvae. Goats, Sheep: fever; head tilt; circling; meningoencephalitis; ataxia; blindness; paralysis; convulsions; death; Cattle, Pigs: fever, muscle weakness; Dogs, Cats: neurological signs.

Echinococcosis (hydatid disease)

• Echinococcus granulosus, E. multilocularis.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: moderate in sheep; mild in cattle, goats, pigs, horses, dogs, cats.
• Other potentially affected species: canids, felids, herbivores, non human primates, rodents.
• Incubation period: unknown.
• Prominent clinical signs: Carnivores: asymptomatic; incidental finding of cysts at necropsy; Herbivores: may affect liver, abdominal cavity; ascites; hepatomegaly; dyspnea; diarrhea; vomiting; weight loss; Rodents: fatal within weeks.

Giardia

• Giardia intestinalis.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: mild in cattle, sheep, dogs, cats.
• Other potentially affected species: beavers.
• Incubation period: five to fourteen days.
• Prominent clinical signs: Adults: may be asymptomatic; Young animals: diarrhea or soft stools; poor hair coat; flatulence; weight loss or failure to gain.

Hookworms

• Ancylostoma species.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in dogs; moderate in cats.
• Other potentially affected species: n / a
• Incubation period: seven to twenty days.
• Prominent clinical signs: disease varies with parasite burden and age of the animal; severe in puppies; diarrhea; anorexia; emaciation; weakness; poor hair coat; anemia; interdigital dermatitis; death.

Roundworms

• Toxocara species.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in dogs, cats.
• Other potentially affected species: n / a
• Incubation period: thirty days.
• Prominent clinical signs: severe in puppies and kittens; lack of growth; loss of condition; “potbellied”; parasites in vomit and feces; pneumonia; diarrhea.

Leishmaniasis

• Leishmania species.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: moderate in dogs; mild in horses, cats.
• Other potentially affected species: canids, marsupials, non human primates, rodents.
• Incubation period: three months to years.
• Prominent clinical signs: Cats, Horses: cutaneous form; non pruritic exfoliative dermatitis around eyes, ears; Dogs: Foxhounds most commonly affected; cutaneous lesions; fever; anemia; lymphadenopathy; weight loss; anorexia; ocular lesions; splenomegaly.

Sarcocystosis

• Sarcocystis species.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in cattle, sheep; moderate in pigs, horses.
• Other potentially affected species: non human primates, opossums, rodents, rabbits.
• Incubation period: ten days to years.
• Prominent clinical signs: may be asymptomatic; fever; anorexia; diarrhea; muscle spasms; weakness; hyperexcitability; pneumonia; hemorrhages; anemia; icterus; prostration; hind limb paresis; ataxia; death.

Taeniasis

• Taenia species.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: mild in dogs, cats.
• Other potentially affected species: coyotes, foxes, lynx, non human primates, wolves.
• Incubation period: five to twelve weeks.
• Prominent clinical signs: visible passage of proglottids from anus; other signs are rare but may include unthriftiness; malaise; irritability; decreased appetite; mild diarrhea or colic.

Toxoplasmosis

• Toxoplasma gondii.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in sheep, goats, pigs, catss; moderate in horses.
• Other potentially affected species: non human primates, rabbits, rodents.
• Incubation period: unkown.
• Prominent clinical signs: most infections asymptomatic. Goats, Sheep, Pigs: abortions; stillbirths; Lambs: weak; high mortality rate; Cats: lethargy; persistent fever; anorexia; incoordination; paralysis; retinal detachment; death; Dogs: most asymptomatic.

Trichuriasis

• Trichuris suis, T. trichiura, T. vulpis.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in horses; moderate in pigs, dogs.
• Other potentially affected species: non human primates.
• Incubation period: ten to twelve days.
• Prominent clinical signs: most cases asymptomatic; mucoid or hemorrhagic diarrhea; weight loss; unthriftiness; anemia; death may occur in piglets.

Viruses

Contagious Ecthyma (Orf)

• Parapoxvirus.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: moderate in sheep, goats.
• Other potentially affected species: alpaca, camels, wild ruminants.
• Incubation period: two to three days.
• Prominent clinical signs: papules, pustules, vesicles develop into thick crusts on lips, nose, ears, eyelids, occasionally feet, perineal region, inside mouth; ewes nursing infected lambs may develop lesions on teats and udder.

Influenza

• Influenzavirus.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in dogs, cats, birds; moderate in pigs, horses.
• Other potentially affected species: ferrets, mink, seals, whales.
• Incubation period: one to seven days.
• Prominent clinical signs: Horses, Pigs: fever; anorexia; dry cough; labored breathing; Pigs: may develop nasal discharge; Poultry: mild to severe; coughing; sneezing; decreased egg production; death.

Rabies

• Lyssavirus.
• Severity of disease in potentially affected species: severe in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, dogs, cats.
• Other potentially affected species: any mammal.
• Incubation period: ten days to six months.
• Prominent clinical signs: restlessness; anorexia or increased appetite; vomiting; fever; ataxia; incoordination; ascending paralysis; increased aggression; death.

[The Fine Print]

Note: The information provided in this chart is intended to alert the public and medical professionals to the presence of potential zoonotic diseases. The information should not be used to rule out a diagnosis, and should not take the place of advice provided by a physician or veterinarian.

Additional zoonotic diseases can be found on the C F S P H Bioterrorism / High Consequence Livestock Pathogens Wallchart.

Technical information is available at http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/DiseaseInfo/.

References available at www.cfsph.iastate.edu/WallChartReferences/.

Chart created by Ingrid Trevino, D V M, M P H; reviews by Glenda Dvorak, D V M, M P H, D A C V P M.