CDC has launched its redesigned Healthy Pets Healthy People website to coincide with World Animal Day on October 4. The enhanced site offers expanded information about zoonotic diseases that can spread to people from pets, farm animals, and wildlife. Users can now search alphabetically by animal and learn which zoonotic diseases they may carry.
Healthy interactions between humans and animals are becoming more significant as experts continue to learn about zoonotic diseases. Approximately 75% of recently emerging infectious diseases affecting people began as diseases in animals. In recent years, CDC has responded to many illness outbreaks associated with people’s contact with animals, such as Ebola, Avian Influenza, and Salmonella.
The redesigned website offers:
- Detailed information about the health benefits of owning a pet.
- An alphabetized list and descriptions of diseases that can spread from animals to humans.
- A list of animals with descriptions of the diseases related to each type of animal.
- Specific groups of people that may be at an increased risk of getting diseases from animals.
- Tips for preventing illnesses acquired from pets and other animals.
