M2499

Educational Tips for Farmers: Zoonotic Diseases in Small Ruminants

Zoonotic diseases are infections that can spread between animals and people. Each disease has varying levels of severity for both humans and livestock. Following are prevalent zoonotic diseases between small ruminants and humans in the U.S.

Rabies	Animals	Humans
Origin	Bites and exposed mucus membranes and secretions from infected animals (dogs, wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes) with the rabies virus	Bites and exposed mucus membranes and secretions from infected animals
Symptoms	Neurological symptoms, excess salivation, paralysis	Weakness, fever, headache
Prognosis	Fatal	Fatal
Treatment	Euthanasia	Post-exposure rabies prophylaxis; seek medical attention immediately.
Prevention	Preventive vaccination, one per year for sheep. No rabies vaccines are approved for goats, swine, or camelids in the U.S. For goats, check with your veterinarian. The booster interval is no more than 1 year in off-label species.

Orf	Animals	Humans
Origin	Direct contact with infected animals or infective tissue with parapoxvirus	Direct contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces
Symptoms	Skin lesions on lips, nostrils, gingiva, tongue, teats, vulva, prepuce, and coronary band; elevation of the skin that progresses to blisters that encrust	Skin lesions on fingers
Prognosis	Self-limiting	Self-limiting
Treatment	No treatment needed. Blisters should clear in approximately 6 months.	No treatment needed. Blisters should clear in approximately 6 months.
Prevention	Vaccination of sheep and goats; training of exposed people

Ringworm	Animals	Humans
Origin	Direct contact with infected animals with this fungal infection caused by the fungal spores of Trichophyton verrucosum	Direct contact with infected animals or with contaminated surfaces by fungal spores
Symptoms	Ring-shaped lesions, typically circular, up to 3 cm in diameter; crusty patches on the skin, with wool or hair loss	Red, scaly patches on skin that itch and may form blisters with secretion; round bald patches on scalp or beard; thickened, discolored nails
Prognosis	Self-limiting	Treatable/self-limiting
Treatment	Heals with or without treatment in about 8 weeks. Clean the area with iodine and a course brush, then expose to sunlight. Contact a veterinarian if interested in anti-fungal medication.	Non-prescription antifungal creams, lotions, or powders

Q Fever	Animals	Humans
Origin	Caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetiid; through contaminated forages, tick bites, and direct contact with contaminated material from infected animals	Breathing in dust contaminated by infected animal feces, urine, milk, and birth products that contain C. burnetiid; direct contact with contaminated animal bodily fluids, and consumption of contaminated raw/unpasteurized dairy products
Symptoms	Abortion, stillbirth, birth of weak lambs/kids, jaundice. Adult animals are typically asymptomatic and can shed the bacteria for a long time in milk, urine, feces, and reproductive secretions.	High fever, flu-like symptoms, pneumonitis, sweats, nonproductive cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, chest pain, hepatitis, abortion, endocarditis, and chronic fatigue syndrome
Prognosis	Treatable	Fatal without treatment
Treatment	Antibiotics are not effective.	Seek medical attention immediately if suspicious of exposure. Long-term antibiotics may be needed.
Prevention	Vaccination, manure management, restriction of animal movement, hygiene measures, training of exposed people	Vaccination of people at risk

Chlamydiosis	Animals	Humans
Origin	Caused by the bacteria Chlamydia abortus (formerly Chlamydophila abortus); contact with infected placental material and contaminated bedding/waste, and inhalation of contaminated dust	Consumption of contaminated food and water, inhalation of contaminated dust, and contact with contaminated animal material (often aborted fetuses, placenta, and reproductive fluids)
Symptoms	Late-term abortion, retained fetal membrane, stillbirth, epididymitis, pneumonia, and conjunctivitis	Flu-like signs with headache, joint pain, light sensitivity, vomiting, sore throat, pneumonitis, and abortion
Prognosis	Treatable	Treatable
Treatment	Antibiotics; work with your veterinarian.	Antibiotics; seek medical attention.
Prevention	Vaccination of ewes and does; training of exposed people

Salmonellosis	Animals	Humans
Origin	Infectious disease from oral intake of Salmonella bacteria through contaminated feed or water	Oral intake of bacteria through contaminated food or water, or direct contact with infected animals
Symptoms	Abortion, diarrhea, fever, arthritis	Severe vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, headache
Prognosis	Can be fatal without proper treatment	Treatable
Treatment	Antibiotic treatment: potentiated sulphonamides, ampicillin, and amoxicillin; contact your veterinarian.	Increase fluid intake; if seriously ill, seek medical attention and antibiotics.
Prevention	Hygiene measures

M2499 (POD-03-26)

By Trinity Best, Undergraduate Studentt; Lindsey Dearborn, Master of Science Graduate; Leyla Rios, PhD, Assistant Professor, Animal and Dairy Sciences; and Michael Pesato, DVM, Four State Veterinary Services.

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