Zoonoses

A zoonosis (from the Greek zôon , "animal" and nosos , "disease") is an animal disease transmissible to humans and vice versa. It can be caused by various biological agents (viruses, bacteria, fungi, prions ...).

The term zoonosis in fact combines 2 different modes of transmission:

• anthropozoonosis which is a disease transmitted from humans to animals;
• a zooanthroponosis which is a disease transmitted from animals to humans.

These diseases are part of the overall animal risk, and anyone can develop them, often even without contact with animals. In addition, some of these zoonoses are occupational diseases (which affect, for example, garbage collectors, taxidermists, farmers, breeders, veterinarians, foresters, etc.).

Given the proximity they can have with animals, zoophiles may be particularly exposed to the risk of transmitting certain zoonoses.

See Also

Zoophilia and Health