Zoonotic Parasites Copyright PEER.tamu.edu

What are zoonotic diseases According to the CDC* a zoonotic disease is any disease which may be passed from animals to people or from people to animals. CDC: U.S. Communicable Disease CenterU.S. Communicable Disease Center

Zoonotic Diseases Approximately 60% of all human pathogens are zoonotic 75% of emerging infectious diseases have an animal origin Growing need for veterinarians and physicians to work together

Causes of Zoonotic Disease Bacteria Virus Parasites Fungi

Parasites and Animals Many methods of parasite transmission to people involve animals

Can you name some animal parasites?

Vector-borne Parasites A vector is an agent which transfers a parasite from one host to another Typical parasite vectors: fleas, ticks, mites, mosquitoes, flies, and other insects People become infected when a vector picks up the parasite from an infected animal and infects a human

Parasites carried by Vectors Many parasites that are carried by vectors are often found in the blood of humans and animals

Trypanosoma Cruzi Causes Chagas disease. Damage to heart, digestive tract, and brain (in children). Spread by the “Kissing Bug,” native to South America and the southern US The bug bites the human then defecates next to the wound. Rubbing bite wound spreads parasite into the wound. Parasite can cycle from animals like armadillos, raccoons, opossums, and foxes to bugs to humans.

Chagas Disease & The “Kissing Bug” Kissing Bug found in Texas Trypanosoma cruzi in the blood Don’t Kiss ME!!!

Babesia Intracellular protozoa found in red blood cells Spread by infected Ticks If you play around trees, check your head and body for me!!

DID YOU KNOW? Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine was started to stop the spread of the Cattle Fever Tick. The causative agent was a species of Babesia that the ticks were spreading to Texas cattle. Thanks TEXAS A&M!!

Leishmania Unlike Babesia and Chagas Disease, Leishmania live in tissue and not the blood Spread through the bite of an infected Sandfly* * common on Caribbean beaches

Leishmania Human foot

Waterborne Parasites Spread when humans come into contact with water that has been contaminated by an infected animal Common waterborne parasites include Giardia Cryptosporidium

Giardia & Cryptosporidium

Get from swallowing water contaminated by another infected human or animal Giardia is the 2 nd most common parasitic disease in people Cryptosporidium is the most common cause of diarrhea from swimming Both can cause severe diarrhea Gross!!! Don’t drink the water your swimming in!!!

How Do People Get Parasites

Methods of Parasite Transmission Insect bites Animal feces Handling raw meat and fish Handling cat litter boxes Contaminated fruits and vegetables Infected food handlers Contaminated water Contact with an infected person I need to WASH MY HANDS!!!

Broad Categories of Transmission Vectorborne (insects) Waterborne Fecal Oral Transmission Contaminated Meat

Fecal-Oral Transmission Most common way people become infected with zoonotic parasites Parasites are spread to humans when they ingest the eggs from the feces of an infected animal Parasites spread by fecal oral transmission generally live in the intestinal tract I don’t feel so good

Spread by Fecal Oral Transmission Hookworms Roundworms Hydatid Disease Toxoplasmosis

Hookworms & Roundworms They are like monsters!!!!

Hookworms & Roundworms Carried by dogs and cats Kids often get infected from playing in sand boxes which animals have defecated Or by putting toys in their mouth which have been on the ground

Hookworms Can penetrate the skin and gain entry into the human body Bare feet are a common route of entry Wearing shoes is one of the best ways to prevent parasites from entering your feet!!!

Hydatid Disease After Humans consume the eggs passed by dogs the worms can form huge cysts in the body

Toxoplasmosis How many have of you have heard that pregnant women shouldn’t clean cat litter boxes? That is because of the potential for them to contract Toxoplasmosis which can cause them to lose their unborn child.

Toxoplasmosis Even though it is commonly associated with pregnancy and litter boxes, toxoplasmosis is more commonly transmitted through undercooked meat According to the CDC toxoplasmosis is the 3 rd leading cause of foodborne related deaths in the US Order your food to be cooked all the way!!

Contaminated Meat Meat can be contaminated with harmful bacteria and can also contain parasitic cysts which may infect people. Common Parasites Found in Meat Toxoplasmosis Trichinella Taenia Gnathostomosis

Trichinosis & Taenia Both caused by eating cysts in undercooked pork or beef Incidence rate has decreased with better animal management and slaughter protocol Fully cook your meat!

Cysticercosis If a person consumes Taenia eggs they can develop cysts in their brain!

Gnathostomosis Similar to Taenia and Trichonosis, but gnathostomosis is found in raw fish What area do you think this disease is most common? Asia

Summary Zoonotic parasites have many routes of transmission to people Vectors Water Fecal Contamination Infected Meat

So How Can You Protect Yourself?

Preventing Zoonotic Parasites Brainstorm some ways we can prevent them… Always wash your hands Keep sand boxes covered Wear shoes Pick up animal feces when possible Don’t drink untreated water Cook meat thoroughly

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