zoonotik

Zoonotik refers to diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Zoonoses may be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi and can spread through direct contact, bites or scratches, exposure to animal bodily fluids, consumption of contaminated animal products, or via vectors such as ticks, fleas, or mosquitoes. Transmission can occur in households, farms, markets, or wildlife settings, and may involve environmental reservoirs such as water or soil. Animal reservoirs include domestic species (dogs, cats, livestock), wildlife (bats, rodents, primates), and other animals that harbor pathogens.

Common zoonotic diseases include rabies, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, toxoplasmosis, influenza, and Lyme disease. Some high-impact viruses, such as those causing Ebola or certain coronaviruses, are believed to have originated in animals and crossed into humans, though exact chains of transmission can be complex.

Public health responses emphasize surveillance in humans and animals, vaccination of animal reservoirs where feasible (for example, rabies vaccination of dogs), safe handling and preparation of food, hygiene, and infection control in healthcare settings. Vector control and environmental management reduce exposure, and public education helps minimize risky contact with animals.

A One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and ecosystem health, guides research and policy to prevent spillover events and rapidly respond to outbreaks. Zoonoses remain a significant global health concern due to ecological change, close human-animal contact, and evolving pathogens.