Text equivalent of "Zoonotic Disease in Agriculture"

[Logo: AgriSafe Network, Protecting the People Who Feed the World.]

[Introduction]

Zoonotic Diseases are transmitted between farm animals and humans.

According to the World Health Organization, more than half of all human pathogens are zoonotic and have represented nearly all of all emerging pathogens during the past decade. Farmers and farm workers have higher levels of risk for contracting zoonotic diseases because of the frequency of their exposure to animals.

Prevention is the best defense. Understanding how the disease transmission process works, building a team and effectively communicating within that team are essential in preventing the spread of zoonotic disease.

Terms to Know

P P E: personal protective equipment.
Pathogen: an agent that causes disease, especially a virus, bacterium or fungus.
Infectious disease: a disease caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that can be transferred to humans.
Zoonotic disease: an infectious disease which can be passed between animals and humans.
Emerging infectious disease: an infectious disease whose incidence in humans has increased in the past two decades or threatens to increase in the near future.

Protect Yourself

Choose and use appropriate personal protective equipment (P P E):
- respiratory protection.
- gloves.
- safety glasses / goggles.
- clothing: coveralls, aprons, etc.
- foot gear.

Designate specific clothes for farm and ranch work:
- use laundry precautions; launder separate from other family clothing.
- clean washing machine between washes.

Disinfect workspaces with appropriate and clearly labeled designated cleaning solutions.

Provide designated hand washing area for workers:
- hot water is recommended.
- hand washing station should be designed hands free if possible.
- use paper towels to dry.

While walking or working wear:
- sturdy shoes.
- long pants.
- insect repellent.

Inspect entire body, neck, face, and hair for cuts, scrapes or bites daily.

Thoroughly clean, treat, and cover any open area prior to contact with animals.

Check medical records for tetanus vaccine status.

Diseases

Fungal Zoonoses

Ring worm

Host / carrier: infected farm animals and pet.
Characteristics and primary transmission: contact with animals or with feed or secretion.
Incubation: ten to fourteen days.
Human symptoms: itchy, red, raised patches on skin; may have pustules; may be ring shaped; hair loss.
Precaution / care / treatment: keep skin dry; antifungals; protective clothing. Scratching may cause a secondary bacterial infection.

Histoplasmosis

Host / carrier: bats; birds.
Characteristics and primary transmission: inhalation of fungal spores from droppings.
Incubation: three to seventeen days.
Human symptoms: fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, chest pain.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E, rest, fluids, pain relievers, anti fungal. Treatment may last three months to one year.

Parasitic and Protein Particle Zoonoses

Tape Worm and Trichinosis (Parasites)

Host / carrier: pigs; cattle.
Characteristics and primary transmission: ingestion of infected, undercooked meats.
Incubation: one to two days for acute phase; two to eight weeks for chronic phase.
Human symptoms: abdominal discomfort, fever and flu symptoms with trichinosis.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; antiparasitic drugs for tape worm; usually no meds for trichinosis. May require antiparasitics.

Amoebic Dysentery (A Protozoa Parasite)

Host / carrier: dogs.
Characteristics and primary transmission: ingesting contaminated food, water.
Incubation: two days to several months.
Human symptoms: vomiting; acute diarrhea
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; antiamoebic drugs; antibiotics if bacterial infection develops.

Viral Zoonoses

Rabies

Host / carrier: mammals; bats; wild animals; pets.
Characteristics and primary transmission: animal bites; contact with infected tissue.
Incubation: two to twenty one days (usually five to twelve); may be up to three months.
Human symptoms: headache; malaise; fever; salivation; difficulty swallowing; seizures.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; immune globulin; vaccine.

Hanta Virus

Host / carrier: infected rodents.
Characteristics and primary transmission: inhalation of rodent feces or uring.
Incubation: seven to thirty nine days.
Human symptoms: fever; dizziness; nausea; vomiting; pulmonary edema.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; intense medical treatment and support of cardiac and pulmonary symptoms.

Encephalitis

Host / carrier: various animals; mosquitoes; ticks; rodents.
Characteristics and primary transmission: bites.
Incubation: four to fourteen days.
Human symptoms: headache; flu like symptoms; restlessness; agitation.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; anti inflammatories; antivirals; steroids; rest.

Hepatitis E

Host / carrier: hepatitis E swine.
Characteristics and primary transmission: consumption of fecally contaminated drinking water; from infected animals; consumption of uncooked or undercooked pork or deer meat.
Incubation: three to six weeks.
Human symptoms: fever; anorexia; nausea; abdominal pain; jaundice.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; treat symptoms; immunoglobulin; vaccine.

New Castle Disease

Host / carrier: poultry.
Characteristics and primary transmission: contact with secretions of infected birds.
Incubation: two to fifteen days.
Human symptoms: conjunctivitis; rarely flu like symptoms.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; eye drops; avoid sunlight.

Poxvirus

Host / carrier: dairy cows; cattle.
Characteristics and primary transmission: direct animal contact with teats or muzzle.
Incubation: five to fourteen days.
Human symptoms: reddened; nodules; wart like nodules; swelling around affected area.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; keep area dry; topical antiviral ointments.

Animal Influenza

Host / carrier: Avian (bird) flu H 5 N 1, H 7 N 9, and H 9 N 2; Swine H 1 N 1 and H 3 N 2.
Characteristics and primary transmission: direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead animals or contaminated environments.
Incubation: Avian: two to eight days. Swine: one to seven days.
Human symptoms: fever; cough; sore throat; chest pain; abdominal pain; diarrhea; vomiting; bleeding from nose or gums.
Precaution / care / treatment: rest; fluids; prescribed antiviral drugs in some instances.

Bacterial Zoonoses

Brucellosis

Host / carrier: cattle; swine; sheep; goats.
Characteristics and primary transmission: contact with animal tissues, bloods, fluids; inhalation.
Incubation: one to fifteen weeks.
Human symptoms: fever; malaise; flu like symptoms can affect heart, bone, and other organs.
Precaution / care / treatment: rest; fluids; P P E; antibiotics.

Leptospirosis

Host / carrier: cattle; swine; sheep; goats; wildlife.
Characteristics and primary transmission: contact with urine of infected animals.
Incubation: seven to twelve days.
Human symptoms: fever; malaise; flu like symptoms; jaundice.
Precaution / care / treatment: rest; fluids; P P E; antibiotics.

Saint Anthony’s Fire

Host / carrier: swine; chickens; turkeys.
Characteristics and primary transmission: usually caused by group A Streptococcus; contact with animal tissues or waste; contact with infected soil; ingestion.
Incubation: three to fourteen days.
Human symptoms: fever; chills; headache; joint pain; skin lesions.
Precaution / care / treatment: rest; fluids; P P E; antibiotics; treat cuts and abrasions immediately.

Campylobacter

Host / carrier: cattle; swine; sheep.
Characteristics and primary transmission: undercooked meat; raw milk; contaminated water.
Incubation: two to four days.
Human symptoms: abdominal pain; diarrhea; fever.
Precaution / care / treatment: rest; fluids; P P E; antibiotics; food prep precautions.

Lyme Disease

Host / carrier: diseased deer or rodents.
Characteristics and primary transmission: infected tick bites.
Incubation: three days to several weeks.
Human symptoms: “bulls eye” reddened area; fever; fatigue; joint pain; swelling.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; anti inflammatory; antibiotics; rest; fluids; insect repellent.

E. Coli

Host / carrier: all livestock.
Characteristics and primary transmission: direct or indirect contact with animal waste.
Incubation: one to ten days.
Human symptoms: diarrhea; cramps; vomiting.
Precaution / care / treatment: fluids; electrolytes; rest; P P E. See physician if symptoms last more than a few days.

Tetanus

Host / carrier: horses; sheep.
Characteristics and primary transmission: exposure to contaminated soil or agent such as rusty nail.
Incubation: three to twenty one days (average is ten days).
Human symptoms: muscle spasms; skeletal contractures; seizures; respiratory distress.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; immediate care; anti toxins.

Anthrax

Host / carrier: cattle; sheep; horses; swine; goats; dogs.
Characteristics and primary transmission: animal carcasses; inhaled spores; water.
Incubation: one to twelve days. one to seven days if respiratory.
Human symptoms: skin lesions; itching; bumps; redness; respiratory distress in severe cases.
Precaution / care / treatment: antibiotics; P P E; immediate care of skin abrasions.

Tularemia

Host / carrier: sheep; rabbits; skunks.
Characteristics and primary transmission: sheep; ticks; mosquitoes; water; inhalation.
Incubation: one to ten days.
Human symptoms: fever; chills; headache; lymph node swelling; ulceration.
Precaution / care / treatment: P P E; food prep precautions; antibiotics.

Q Fever

Host / carrier: cattle; goats; sheep.
Characteristics and primary transmission: inhalation of contaminated dust (dried placenta / birth fluids); tick bites; raw milk.
Incubation: three to thirty days.
Human symptoms: high fever; chills; sweating; headache; thirty percent to fifty percent develop pneumonia.
Precaution / care / treatment: fluids; rest; P P E; antibiotics; pain meds.

Salmonella

Host / carrier: dairy animals; sheep; poultry.
Characteristics and primary transmission: inhalation; infected soil; water; raw milk; undercooked food.
Incubation: twelve to seventy two hours.
Human symptoms: fever; diarrhea; cramps; vomiting.
Precaution / care / treatment: rest; fluids; antibiotics; P P E.

Psittacosis (Parrot Fever) (Ornithosis)

Host / carrier: wild birds; poultry.
Characteristics and primary transmission: infected tissue; animal / bird feces; inhalation of secretions.
Incubation: five to nineteen days.
Human symptoms: fever; headache; dry cough; pneumonia like symptoms.
Precaution / care / treatment: rest; fluids; antibiotics; P P E.

Communicate with Your Health Care Providers

Information to share with your health care provider

Occupational exposure.
Symptoms of illness and/or infections.
Suspicion of diseased livestock or pets.
Recent travel to other parts of U.S. or out of country.

Signs and symptoms to report to your health care provider

fever: short time or intermittent.
headache.
chills.
excessive fatigue.
joint pain / swelling.
redness over joints.
rashes / hives.
nausea / vomiting / diarrhea.
menstrual cycle changes or miscarriage.
orchyitis (scrotal swelling).

Special Considerations for Children

Many young people spend their time interacting with pets or young livestock.
Children are at high risk of injury from animal bites, estimated four point five million in U. S. bitten by dogs annually.
Children are unaware of pet’s temperament or health status.
Children do not understand animal maternal protective instincts.

Special Considerations During Pregnancy

Pregnant women have compromised immune and respiratory symptoms.
- Increased vigilance in hand washing, P P E use, avoidance of animal body fluids and excrement.
Diseases that cause abortions in animals may have the same effect in humans.
- Avoid handling tissue from aborted animal fetuses.
Know risks related to toxoplasmosis, listeria, influenza, Q fever, and pharmaceuticals.

Reportable Diseases

Both the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control provide data on notifiable zoonotic diseases that must be reported. Reporting and management of these events are initiated at the state level and procedures vary from state to state. For more information visit www.cdc.gov/nndss

[The Fine Print]

This material was produced under a grant (S H 2 6 2 8 0 – S H 4) from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U. S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U. S. Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organization imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

[Contact AgriSafe]: www.agrisafe.org. 8 6 6 – 3 1 2 – 3 0 0 2. info@agrisafe.org