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Zoonotic and Parasitic Infections

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Encyclopedia of Public Health

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Synonyms

Infectious diseases transmitted by animals; Infectious diseases due to leeches; Infectious diseases due to sponges

Definition

Zoonotic infections are communicable diseases that are naturally transmitted to humans by vertebrates. Transmission can take place directly, by foodstuffs or by animal vectors (ticks, mosquitoes, etc.). Parasites are living organisms that reside on other creatures where they feed and reproduce themselves. Diseases caused by parasites are called parasitoses.

Basic Characteristics

Transmission of Zoonoses

In 1958, zoonoses were defined by WHO as diseases that are naturally transmitted between vertebrates and humans. Parasites that carry infection, like head lice, pubic lice or body lice as well as scabies, are transmitted from one human to another. Worldwide, there are about 200 known zoonoses. Possible pathogens are viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, worms and arthropods as well as prions (proteinaceous infectious particles). The latter are responsible...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Friedrich-Ebert-Krankenhaus GmbH, Neumünster, Germany

    Monika Korn

Authors
  1. Monika Korn
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Network EUROlifestyle Research Association Public Health Saxony-Saxony Anhalt e.V. Medical Faculty, University of Technology, Fiedlerstr. 27, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Wilhelm Kirch (Professor Dr. Dr.) (Professor Dr. Dr.)

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag

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Korn, M. (2008). Zoonotic and Parasitic Infections . In: Kirch, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Public Health. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5614-7_3825

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5614-7_3825

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-5613-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-5614-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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