Children and Hygiene: Tips for Reducing Zoonotic the Risk of Zoonotic Disease Transmission

What are Zoonotic Diseases?
Zoonotic diseases are illnesses caused by organisms (viruses, bacteria and parasites) that can be transmitted between animals and humans.  Direct contact with sick animals is not always necessary for zoonotic disease transmission.  For example, people can be exposed to roundworms through contact with feces-contaminated soil, even if the infected animal is nowhere around.

Some zoonotic diseases are well known, such as rabies and salmonellosis.  However, other diseases like leptospirosis are also zoonotic and not well recognized by the general public.

Why are Children at Risk?
Anyone can contract a zoonotic disease, but children are at a higher risk for several reasons:

·         Compared to adults, children tend to have more direct contact with areas that might be contaminated by animal waste – such as the ground, grass, sandboxes and standing water.

·         Children are less likely to wash their hands before eating and they are more likely to put their hands in their mouths

·         A child’s immune system may not be able to fight off an infection if an exposure occurs.  This can also hold true for an adult that has a compromised immune system – such as those undergoing chemotherapy.

What animals transmit Zoonotic diseases?
Any animal is capable of transmitting a zoonotic disease.

·         Rabies virus can be transmitted by dogs, cats, bats, raccoons, goats, sheep and a variety of other domestic and wild animals. 

Certain animals tend to be associated with specific zoonotic disease. 

·         Cats can transmit Bartonella a bacteria that causes “cat-scratch disease”. 

·         Salmonella can be transmitted to humans through contact with several animal species most notably reptiles, birds and some rodents.

·         Dogs and cats can have intestinal parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms that can be transmitted to humans.

How Can Children Be Protected from Zoonotic diseases?
Petting zoos, classroom pets and other interactive animal habitats are valuable educational tools, but it is imperative that children are properly supervised during these interactions to reduce their risk of being exposed to zoonotic diseases.  Because children are at a higher risk, it may be beneficial to eliminate contact with certain animals, such as reptiles, amphibians, baby chicks and ducklings to prevent exposure to potential zoonotic diseases.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended this precaution as an option for children under 5 years.  However, avoidance is not always possible or practical.  Therefore, organizations like the CDC, National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are trying to education the public about the best ways to protect children, adults and pets from exposure to zoonotic diseases.

The good news is that you don’t have to get rid of your pet lizard or abandon trips to the petting zoos to protect your children.  There are a few basic precautions that can reduce the risk of someone being affected.

·          Keeping your own pets healthy and parasite free is a perfect way to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases.  Bringing your pet to the vet twice a year, staying current on vaccines and using effective parasite control are all methods of achieving this goal. 

·         Washing hands thoroughly after handling pets, before eating/drinking, before preparing food, after using the restroom or removing dirty shoes or clothes is imperative.  Even if you don’t remember touching anything.  Soap and water are preferable for hand washing especially when hands are visibly dirty.  After washing hands, it’s important not to dry them on your clothing.

·         Teach children to avoid direct contact with wild animals.

·         Keep litterboxes clean, and pick up after your dog.  Ideally, gloves should be worn when handling animal’s urine or feces.

·         Don’t eat, drink or smoke in areas where animals are .

·         Don’t let animals lick your mouth and don’t share food with them

·         When at a petting zoo or other place where touching animals is encouraged – always remember to have children wash their hands (even if they did not touch anything), not to eat/drink anything until they have left the animal area and washed their hands and avoid putting anything into their mouths.