ZOONOTIC DISEASE: is the medical term for any disease that people can “catch” from animals.
More than 150 diseases are transmissible to people (about 1/3 of all known diseases). Preventing them is important. The main prevention strategy is nothing more than GOOD SANITATION.

Some of the most common zoonotic diseases include:
Roundworms
Hookworms
Toxoplasmosis
Cat Scratch Fever
Ringworm
Scabies
Salmonella

The National Center for Disease Control recommends that veterinarians advise their clients of the potential risk and take measures to prevent the problem.

HUMAN WORM INFECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:
All pets should have an internal parasite test at least once/year, more frequently if worms are seen at home.
Dogs should be given once-a-month heartworm preventive which also helps control intestinal parasites.
Pregnant women should not clean out the cat’s litter box or do any gardening (working with the hands in the soil) without wearing gloves.
DON’T PANIC. The incidence of pet to human worm transmission is very low.

CAUTION and GOOD SANITATION are “the keys.”