6. Disease transmission Flashcards
Define ‘infectious agent’
Something that infiltrates the body with the ability to cause harm and disease- parasites, fungi, bacteria, viruses (Djebala, 2020)
Define ‘reservoir’
Inanimate or animate sources which harbour disease eg- vertebrates
Define ‘route of exit’
site from where micro-organisms leave the host to enter another host and cause disease/infection
Define ‘mode of transmission’
The mode of which an infectious agent moves from a reservoir to a host either by direct, vertical, horizontal or indirect transmission
Define ‘route of entry’
The way a substance enters the body- moth, wounds, skin
Define ‘susceptible host’
Someone who is at risk of injection
Define ‘zoonotic disease’
A disease caused by harmful bacteria, virus, parasite or fungi which can be transmitted between animals and people eg- avian influenza (H5N1), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Ebola virus
What are some risk factors?
- number of animals in the environment
- route and efficiency of disease transmission
- type and extent of contact between human and animal
- vulnerability of in-contact humans to infection
- existing measure to prevent infection
How does intensive farming increase the risk of zoonotic disease?
- the sustained use of antibiotics
- concentration of animals in confined units
- long distances and frequent movement of livestock.
Give some examples of zoonotic diseases
- e coli
- ringworm
- rabies
- salmonellosis
- tapeworm
- leptospirosis
- streptococcus suis
- toxoplasmosis
What is ringworm and which species does it affect?
A fungal disease that infects the outer layer of the skin and hair or wool shaft
- dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, hedgehogs, humans
How can ringworm be transmitted?
- direct contact
- environmental contamination (skin scales/hair fibres)
- human handling of infected animals- non infected animals
- equipment (brushes, clippers, blankets)
What is an epizootic disease?
A disease event in a nonhuman animal population- can be an outbreak, general or widespread disease.
A serious outbreak of disease causing serious economic or public health issues eg- avian influenza, swine flu, foot and mouth disease
How is disease surveillenced?
two different types-
Statutory (the management of notifiable diseases) and scanning (which detects new and re-emerging threats)
How is disease monitored?
- data collection
- analysis and sharing across species
animal keepers/veterinary professionals must make decisions to improve welfare
