Which Diseases are transmittable from Humans to Animals or Vice versa?
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
December 11, 2007 8:57pm CST
From what I understand, most diseases & viruses are species specific. That is, they can only be transfered from members of the same species.
The exceptions are rare, such as the current concern over bird flu possibly mutating to survive in humans. Apparently even this possibility is extremely low.
I do know that some parasites can be transfered from dogs to humans. Also rabies is a well known diseases that can change hosts.
But are there any human diseases that can be transferred to animals?
3 people like this
3 responses
@neetipari (49)
•
12 Dec 07
well dear i dont know bout the diseases what can spread to the animals from human but i know disease that can spread to humans from animals. one common example is tetanus that is spread from horses to human
2 people like this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
12 Dec 07
Hi jennybianca! I really don't think that human diseases can be transferred to animals. Usually people infect people, and animals infect people. Some diseases that are transmitted primarily by direct contact with the reservoir (human to human, animals to human) include ringworm, AIDS, trichinosis, influenza, rabies, and malaria. That is what I know but I am no expert. Still, I hope my response is helpful even in a little tiny bit way. LOL! Take care and have a nice day. :)
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
13 Dec 07
I know ringworm can be transmitted & rabies to humans from animals. I dont think the flu, malaria & AIDS can be transmitted from animals to humans. Except in the very rare case where the virus mutates.
2 people like this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
13 Dec 07
Hi jennybianca! Oops, sorry I was not clear on that. I was givng examples of diseases that are transmitted primarily by direct contact which is human to human and animals to human. Malaria is transmitted by the anopheles mosquito to humans, AIDS and flu are transmitted human to human. Sorry for the not being clear with my response. Take care and have a nice day! :)
1 person likes this
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
16 Dec 07
That's a great question. I've never heard of any disease that could be transferred from a human to an animal, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was something. Next time I talk to my vet, I'll have to ask him. I used to have birds, and I always tried to be careful handling them, because I believed that I could pass harmful pathogens to them. I always washed my hands before and after handling them, or changing their food and water, or cleaning the cage. My cockatiel managed to catch a cold once, but he recovered with antibiotics and a little extra fresh greens.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
17 Dec 07
Not many people seem to know the answer to this. The only evidence I have seen are people with pets, who claim that their dog caught a cold from them. Of course, this is not real evidence.
