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Zoonotic diseases (zoonoses): guidance, data and analysis

The diagnosis, management and epidemiology of zoonotic diseases.

Published 1 July 2014
Last updated 25 October 2018 — see all updates

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Public Health England

Zoonoses are infections that can pass between animals and humans.

You can get zoonotic diseases through direct contact with animals if you:

• work with animals
• have pets
• have hobbies that involve animals

You can also get some of these diseases from contaminated food or water, or via insects such as ticks.

Zoonotic diseases

Some zoonotic diseases are endemic in the UK, and others are considered ‘exotic. This list includes information on the main reservoirs and routes of transmission, and links to supplementary information for:

1. zoonotic diseases found in the UK

2. selected zoonotic diseases exotic to the UK

1. List of zoonotic diseases
   • 21 January 2019
   • Guidance

Investigating and managing risk

1. Zoonotic diseases: investigation guidelines
   • 6 July 2016
   • Guidance
2. Raw pet foods: handling and preventing infection
   • 18 March 2019
   • Guidance
3. Farm visits: avoiding infection
   • 27 February 2019
   • Guidance
4. Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis): reducing the risk of human infection
   • 21 December 2015
   • Guidance
5. Pet rats, mice, hamsters: reducing the risk of infection
   • 20 February 2013
   • Guidance
6. Pregnancy: advice on contact with animals that are giving birth
   • 18 January 2017
   • Guidance
7. Q fever: good practice for farmers
   • 21 December 2015
   • Guidance
8. Rabies: risks from bat bites
   • 22 October 2018
   • Guidance
9. Rabies in bats: how to spot it and report it
   • 18 October 2018
   • Guidance
10. Salmonella: reducing infection from reptiles
    • 24 November 2014
    • Guidance
11. Health spa pedicures: preventing infections
    • 31 August 2011
    • Guidance

Epidemiology

Quarterly surveillance reports for zoonotic infections are published in the Health Protection Report.

Annual reports providing information on cases of zoonotic infections reported in the UK are also published.

1. Zoonoses: UK annual reports
   • 19 December 2018
   • Research and analysis

Data sources

1. Zoonotic diseases: surveillance of laboratory confirmed cases
   • 21 January 2019
   • Guidance

Published 1 July 2014
Last updated 25 October 2018 + show all updates

1. 25 October 2018 Added "Raw pet foods: handling and preventing infection"
2. 23 June 2017 Added zoonoses report UK for 2015.
3. 1 July 2014 First published.