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Review
(Published
online : 19-06-2013)
5. Occupational zoonoses in zoo and wildlife
veterinarians in India: A review - H. B. Chethan Kumar,
K. M. Lokesha, C. B. Madhavaprasad, V. T. Shilpa, N. S.
Karabasanavar and A. Kumar
Vet World. 2013; 6(9):
605-613
doi:
10.5455/vetworld.2013.605-613
Abstract
Zoos and biological parks are
considered as a hub for public recreation and education. This is
highlighted by the fact that visitors to the zoos are increasing
year by year and they generate sizeable revenue. Veterinary
professionals play a pivotal role in health management of wild
animals in zoos and biological parks. Since veterinarians work in
close contact with wild animals, there is a potential risk of
transmission of zoonotic diseases from wild animals to humans and
vice versa. There are approximately 1415 infectious agents causing
diseases in humans, out of which 868 (61%) are known to be
zoonotic in nature. It is also important to note that more than
70% of the emerging zoonotic diseases have wild animals as
reservoir hosts. The major zoonotic diseases that are transmitted
from wild animals to humans include rabies, anthrax, leptospirosis,
Q-fever, psittacosis, hendra virus, nipah virus, herpes B
encephalitis, toxoplasmosis, etc. Hence, it is imperative for
veterinarians and zoo staff to be fully aware of the knowledge
pertaining to the source, transmission, pathogenicity, treatment
and control of zoonotic diseases. In this manuscript, we provide
key information regarding zoonotic diseases and also recommend
important measures for their control and prevention. The
information provided here will be highly beneficial for personnel
who work in close association with wild animals.
Keywords: occupational hazards, veterinarian, wildlife,
zoo, zoonoses
