Principles of non-foodbourne zoonosis control (Companion Animals)

Question 1

What is a reservoir host?

Answer 1

One within which the organism can spread indefinitely.

Question 2

What is a colonised host?

Answer 2

A host where no clinical signs occur but where the organism can multiply.

Question 3

What is the key factor that dictates whether a zoonotic infection will establish?

Answer 3

Host susceptibility

Question 4

What are the clinically relevant multi-drug resistant pathogens in human medicine?

How is this relevant to companion animals?

Answer 4

ESKAPE pathogens:
Enterrococcus faecium
Staphylococcus aureus 
Klebsiela pneumonia
Acinetobacter baumannii (and other spp.)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Enterobacter spp.

All have been found in pets!

Question 5

Where does the majority of companion animal MRSA infection come from?

Answer 5

As spill over reverse zoonotic infection for human hospital-acquired MRSA

Question 6

What infection (other than MRSA) is very important zoonotically in dogs?

Answer 6

MRSP - this is highly drug resistant and is a veterinary nocosomial pathogen

Question 7

What are the main problems with contracting MRSA?

Answer 7

1. Extended length of hospital stay
2. Treatment options are limited
3. 1&2=costly!

n.b. that increased mortality of MRSA over SAU has not been conclusively proven

Question 8

Why is the risk of infection of MRSA from animals to owners high?

Answer 8

MRSA is a human adapted pathogen so is likely to infect an owner

Question 9

In what respect do the following spp. pose a zoonotic risk?

a) small furries
b) snakes and lizards
c) birds

Answer 9

a) handled lots by children
b) cleaning tanks (e.g. salmonella, fish tank granuloma (M. marinum)
c) wide spread and transfer through faeces

Question 10

If a zoonosis is suspected, what should be done?

Answer 10

1. Need to confirm -> Lab Tests

2. Inform the owners and advise to seek medical advice!

Question 11

What groups are particularly at risk to zoonoses?

Answer 11

Practice staff
Owners/carers
Lab staff

High risk:
Compromised immune system
Close contact
Young/Elderly
Specific factors e.g. wounds, bites etc.

Question 12

What is the most important thing to do to prevent disease spread?

Answer 12

Hand washing!

Question 13

What are good control measurements to implement when a zoonotic infection is known in a patient?

Answer 13

See at the end of the day and ask to wait outside
Disinfect (& clean!!) before the next patient
Implement isolation & barrier nursing protocols
Move them around the surgery in a basket/on a trolley

Question 14

Are lice zoonotic infection risks?

Answer 14

No as they are highly adapted to their host species.