Zoonosis

Question 1

Define sentinel

Answer 1

An indicator of the presence of disease.

Question 2

What’s the intermediate host of Taenia solium?

Answer 2

pigs

Question 3

What is the causative agent of rabies?

Answer 3

Lyssavirus (RNA virus)

Question 4

What is the reservoir for rabies?

Answer 4

carnivores and bats.

Question 5

What is the reservoir for hantavirus?

Answer 5

rodents - usually asymptomatic

Question 6

In what way(s) is(are) hantavirus transmitted?

Answer 6

Primary - aerosol (rodent urine or feces)

Secondary - bites by rodents

Question 7

In what ways can humans contract anthrax?

Answer 7

Inhalation

Cutaneous - spores enter open wound OR biting fly

Ingestion - infected animals

Question 8

What are the postmortem signs of anthrax in cattle?

Answer 8

anticoagulopathy, rapid bloating, lack of rigor mortis, bleeding from orifices

Question 9

What steps should be taken when a vet encounters a potential anthrax case?

Answer 9

1. ) NO NECROPSY
2. ) Burn or bury carcasses
3. ) Inform public health officials.

Question 10

What are the signs/symptoms of Brucellosis infection (AKA: undulant fever or Malta fever or Bang’s Dz)?

Answer 10

Recurring fever, can last for months

Abortions

Pleiomorphic symptoms: neurologic, endocarditis, chronic fatigue.

Question 11

How is Brucellosis/undulant fever/Malta fever/Bang’s Disease transmitted?

Answer 11

Ingestion, mucous membrane exposure, or percutaneous inoculation with:

Aborted placenta, fetus or fetal fluids

Unpasteurized milk

Can be also found in blood, urine, semen, feces, and uterine/vaginal secretions

Feed/water contaminated with these materials.

Question 12

What are some methods currently being implemented to prevent the spread of Brucella?

Answer 12

Eliminate the animal reservoir

Swine monitored (abattoir-based)

Reduce public exposure through pasteurization of milk and milk used to make soft cheeses

Question 13

Brucella melitensis: what species are affected, where is it found and how bad is it for people?

Answer 13

Goats; also sheep, caribou, reindeer, pigs, dogs

Mostly found in the Mediterranean and other intensive goat-farming regions

Most pathogenic for people

Question 14

Brucella abortus: What species are affected, where is it found and how bad is it for people?

Answer 14

Cattle; also bison, buffalo, elk, horses, dogs

Worldwide distribution, except where eradication programs have been successful

Less pathogenic than melitensis, but more pathogenic than other strains.

Question 15

What are the two zoonotic diseases caused by borrelia spp and what is the vector for each?

Answer 15

Lyme disease type - hard ticks

Relapsing fever type - soft ticks

Question 16

What is the reservoir for Borrelia burgdorferi?

Answer 16

Usually sylvatic (“forest-dwelling) rodents, sometimes lizards (regional)

Question 17

In which species does Borrelia burgdorferi cause disease?

Answer 17

People, dogs, horses

Question 18

What are the signs/symptoms of Borrelia burgdorferi infection? Chronic dz manifestations?

Answer 18

Acute febrile illness, myalgia, arthralgia

Chronic dz manifestations: CV, neurological, joint problems

Question 19

What’s the causative agent of West Nile?

Answer 19

Flavivirus

Question 20

In what species is West Nile Virus maintained?

Answer 20

Birds - mosquitos

Question 21

How is West Nile Virus transmitted?

Answer 21

Mosquito bite

Secondary transmission: bloodborne infection, laboratory exposure, breast milk (NOT handling dead birds).

Question 22

What are the signs/symptoms of infection of West Nile Virus in horses?

Answer 22

neurologic: ataxia, hypermetria (movements overreach intended goal), weakness, peri- or tetraparesis (paralysis in hind or all four limbs), recumbency, death.