When we talk about zoonoses, we are referring to the diseases of an infectious, viral, bacterial or parasitic nature that are transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans, and in vector zoonoses, the intervention of a “vehicle” we call vector, and which is usually a mosquito, a tick, fleas or rats.
The presence of these vectors is often conditioned by the absence of prevention plans, which make it more difficult to control infections. These diseases have a major impact on global public health and pose a significant economic burden on affected countries. Climate change, the increasing increase in temperature and the absence of winter cold favor the acclimatization of the vectors, which are continually multiplying, therefore extending the contagion times throughout the year. Globalization and travel make the transmission of diseases as easy and fast as receiving an online purchase.
The World Health Organization (WHO)) points out that vector-borne diseases represent approximately 17% of all infectious diseases, more than 70% of emerging human infectious diseases in the last 40 years come from animals. And as a terrible fact, every year 20 million people die in the world as a result of a zoonotic disease.
To what zoonoses is the population of the province of Cádiz exposed?
We are in a privileged geographical position and at the same time tremendously exposed due to the proximity to a developing continent and without an established health plan like the European one. Another factor that has a decisive influence is the increase in temperature, prevailing winds and traffic of people and goods.
Diseases like Rabiesfrom which our country is free thanks to mandatory vaccinations, would be a serious risk if prevention measures were interrupted. This disease is transmitted directly from a sick animal to a healthy animal or to people through bites or contact with contaminated saliva.
Cádiz is tremendously exposed to zoonoses due to its proximity to a developing continent
West Nile Virus FeverFVN) is another emerging or re-emerging disease, which is transmitted by a vector; a mosquito of the Culex species, which transmits the virus through birds and affects people and horses. It can present with mild symptoms or become complicated, as we have seen in the media in recent months.
Another disease is leishmaniasis or leishmaniasis, padopted by our dogs, whose prevention can be carried out through vaccine protection or repellents. This disease is caused by a single-celled parasite and is transmitted by the bite of the sandfly mosquito, which is small and silent. This is a Notifiable Disease (EDO), which means that once diagnosed by a veterinary professional, it must be communicated to the authorities, administering the preferred treatments or otherwise euthanizing the dog. These actions are a consequence of policies aimed at preventing contagion to people.
The hours of greatest activity of the mosquito that transmits leishmaniasis are at dusk and dawn. If we live in an area where there are these mosquitoes, if we work outdoors at those hours, or if during the summer months the heat forces us to sleep with the window open, It is necessary to protect yourself with repellents, mosquito nets, etc. to reduce the chances of contagion.
Lyme disease, tick-borne disease, it can affect both animals (horses, cats, sheep, dogs, cows) and humans. It is an infection caused by a spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) transmitted to humans by the bite of certain black-legged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, and fatigue, and it can cause neurological symptoms, including loss of function in the arms and legs. It is often incorrectly diagnosed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis.
Crimean-Congo virus disease (CCHF) is one of the most widespread tick-borne diseases worldwide. It is currently considered an emerging disease in Eastern European countries. In Spain, circulation has been detected in ticks captured in the province of Cáceres since 2010. Therefore, we must pay special attention to its appearance in our latitudes.
It is important keep the population informed about how to avoid the spread of the disease and maintain active surveillance of both the presence of the infectious agent and the parasite in the environment and thus limit its spread, and studies are being carried out by the administrations to determine the presence of the virus in the vectors.
Why is the term zoonosis more widely known since the pandemic? When has this word been included in the language of schoolchildren’s teaching?
During the Covid-19 We are experiencing a bombardment of information about the progression of the pandemic; Likewise, we had time to pay attention to new terms, specific to the everyday language of health professionals such as doctors, veterinarians, nurses or pharmacists and thus, the word zoonosis became a familiar term.
Information is essential, since many diseases are avoided with simple gestures such as washing your hands. In 2022, the Ministry of Education promoted that high school students receive training on zoonoses. In this area it is essential to transmit knowledge and awareness, and we can say that The College of Veterinarians of Cádiz promotes this type of informative campaigns with rigor and without ambiguity.