a zoonosis is any infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans but is not dependent upon humans for their life cycle
diseases like malaria, schistosomiasis, river blindness, and elephantiasis are not zoonotic, even though they may be transmitted by insects or use intermediate hosts vectors, because they depend on the human host for part of their life-cycle.
Hendra virus from flying foxes (?aerosol spread from urine as it generally infects lungs)
Hendra hanipavirus, discovered in Queensland in 1994
unknown mechanism
Langya henipavirus (LayV)
predominantly detected in shrews, small mole-like mammals
first human infection identified dates back to 2018
in mid-2022 had been detected in 35 people in eastern China causing fever, cough, myalgia, headaches and vomiting
from reptiles or amphibians
risks are greatest for children under 5yrs, elderly, immunocompromised
Salmonella
Mycobacterium esp. Mycobacterium marinum, M. fortuitum and M. chelonae.
may cause “fish tank granulomas” which appear as skin ulcers or nodules usually on the hands
immunosuppressed persons can develop lymphadenitis & pulmonary disease similar to tuberculosis or more severe disseminated disease.
via abraded skin, wounds, accidental ingestion faeces, contaminated water or other materials, which may cause wound infections or gastroenteritis (and sepsis in the immunocompromised):
Campylobacter
Aeromonas
Escherichia coli
Klebsiella
Serratia
Flavobacterium meningosepticum
Clostridium botulinum (may cause botulism esp. in young children or immunocompromised)