Zoonoses and Communicable Diseases Common to Man and Animals

Book excerpt: In recent years, zoonoses and communicable diseases common to man and animals have gained increasing attention worldwide. Human diseases that have their origins in infected animals, such as AIDS or Creutzfeldt-Jakob, have highlighted the need for a better understanding of animal diseases in terms of their epidemiology, mechanism of transmission to man, diagnosis, prevention and control. Encroachment into formerly little known ecological areas has increased exposure to such diseases. Also, the speed of modern travel facilitates the spread of the diseases once confined to specific geographic areas. Animal migration and trade pose a similar threat. This new edition provides a detailed overview of the most important zoonotic diseases including: its first appearance, most important outbreaks, latest scientific knowledge, and causative agents. It includes etiology, geographic distribution, symptoms and occurrence in man and animals, source of infection, mode of transmission, role of animals in the epidemiology of the disease, diagnostic techniques and prevention and control measures; name and number according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD -10.). It also includes an index covering synonyms and etiologic agents' names.