Animal diseases play an important role in public health. Animals (e.g. pets, wildlife) are capable of transmitting diseases to humans. This web page contains useful information for the public, operators of petting zoos and animal exhibits, as well as veterinarians on diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
To protect people from animal diseases and injuries:
- Stay away from all wild animals, whether they appear tame, injured, or sick; this includes not feeding wild animals on public or private property.
- Remember that every animal, even a pet, is capable of unpredictable behaviour.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after any unavoidable contact with an animal, or their habitat, feces, etc. Hand sanitizer can be used instead of soap and water if hands are not visibly dirty.
