Zoonoses

Zoonoses are diseases which are transmissible from animals to humans.  The infections can be acquired directly from animals or through ingestion of contaminated food stuffs (food/or water). The seriousness of these diseases in humans can vary from mild symptoms to life threatening conditions.

Zoonotic Agents can be classified as Bacterial, Viral and Parasitic and are categorised and prioritised as per Annex 1 of the Zoonoses Directive 2003/99/EC.  The most frequently reported diseases in humans are; Salmonellosis, Campylobacteriosis, Brucellosis, Yersiniosis, Listeriosis, Verotoxin- producing Esherichia coli (VTEC).

In general, parasitic Zoonotic infections are less common than bacterial infections with approximately 400 human cases reported annually in the EU due to Tricinella and Echinococcus parasites and approximately 2000 reported human cases annually due to Toxoplasma infection, however, Ireland has one of the highest levels of Toxocariasis infection in humans within the EU (9.7 cases per 100,000 population).  Information regarding prevention and control of this important parasite under Irish conditions can be found in Responsible Animal Ownership.

The most important Viral Zoonotic Agents include Rabies Virus, viruses transmitted by Arthropods (West Nile Virus) and Calcivirus.  The Influenza Virus Group (Orthomixoviridae family) and particular the Avian Influenza viruses are important emerging zoonotic agents.  The current avian influenza virus circulating in Asia, Europe and Africa is of the subtype H5N1 and is of particular concern due to potential for widespread avian and human infections. Click here, to link to the DAF website to view more information on avian influenza.

Zoonotic Agents/Cork County Council

The Cork County Council (CCC) Food Safety laboratory, which is an integral component of the food safety services provided, on behalf of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), specialises in the identification and characterisation of zoonotic pathogens in the food chain and the environment.

The laboratory is approved for the isolation and identification of the following agents; Salmonella spp, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, Total Visable Counts, E coli, Staphylococcus aureus, C. perfringens, Enterobacteriaceae, Coliforms.

The laboratory has developed particular expertise for the rapid detection and characterisation of VTEC organisms, this expertise is made available for the investigation of human VTEC outbreaks involving animal/food of animal origin or environmental contamination.

The Veterinary Section also participates in the prevention and control of Zoonotic diseases through participation in the Cork Zoonoses Committee. This committee is a multi disciplinary forum consisting of Public Health Doctors, Environmental Health Personnel, Clinical Microbiologists and Veterinary Public Health Personnel.