What kind of diseases can be spread from animals to humans?

Zoonotic diseases are specifically defined as illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans. These diseases can originate from various animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and even insects. Common examples of zoonotic diseases include rabies, Lyme disease, and West Nile virus. Understanding zoonotic diseases is crucial for animal control officers, as they play a pivotal role in public health and safety by managing and mitigating the risk of these diseases within communities.

The term “infectious diseases” encompasses a broader category that includes diseases caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, but not all infectious diseases are zoonotic; many can only be transmitted between humans. “Parasitic diseases,” on the other hand, are specifically caused by parasites, and while some parasites can be transmitted from animals to humans, not all parasitic diseases fall under the zoonotic category. Lastly, “autoimmune diseases” are conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells and are not transmitted between animals and humans. This highlights the distinct nature of zoonotic diseases, which is characterized by their ability to cross species barriers.