Zoonotic diseases, a preventable health risk

Zoonotic diseases , those that can be transmitted from animals to humans , represent a significant challenge to public health , especially in regions with high stray animal populations.

In Mexico, abandoned dogs and cats not only face precarious living conditions , but can also become vectors of diseases such as rabies, scabies, leptospirosis and tick infections.

In addition to affecting wildlife , these diseases put people at risk, particularly in communities with limited access to health services and prevention education.

Maritza Hernández Souza, a veterinary medicine specialist, highlights the importance of prevention and responsible pet care to reduce these risks.

Preventive measures

From vaccination and deworming to sterilization and ectoparasite control , preventative measures are key to protecting both animals and people.

MVZ Hernández Souza emphasized the need to perform regular checkups on pets , at least twice a year.

“ Six months in a human’s life is equivalent to three and a half years in a dog’s life. If a disease, such as a parasitic disease, is not detected in time, it can affect internal organs, including the heart. For example, a dog with mange can spread mites into the environment through skin flakes ,” he explained.

“If a person with a vulnerable immune system comes into contact with these scales, there is a high probability that they will contract the disease.”

“Cases of parasitosis, such as hookworm , are also common in pets that do not receive adequate veterinary care,” he adds.

The specialist points out that many families do not take their pets for a consultation because they think that veterinarians only want to make money.

Necessary to prevent diseases

The reality is that studies performed on pets or animals in general are crucial to prevent complications ; therefore, they are complex and expensive.

“Although we do everything possible to ensure that owners can cover these expenses, families prefer to let time pass or use home remedies that can further affect the pet's health.”

“We had a case of a kitten that had to be put down because it had hunted a bat, but the kitten was not vaccinated against rabies . When the family brought the kitten in and tested it for rabies, the test came back positive and the kitten had to be put down; this would not have happened if their pet had been vaccinated and supervised . Pets are like children, we have to keep an eye on them too,” she adds.

While pets with irresponsible owners may face complications such as untreated diseases or lack of vaccinations , homeless animals face an even more challenging scenario.

However, it is important to recognise that the blame does not lie with stray animals, but with a society that has not assumed its responsibility.

Abandonment, lack of sterilization and indifference to animal welfare are factors that contribute to this problem.

Simply put, the challenges related to zoonotic diseases are not just an animal problem, but also a human problem.