| Potential zoonotic agents of bioterrorism | |
| Anthrax | |
| AnthraxHighlights: • Agent: Bacillus anthracis bacterium • Exposure to air is a key to sporulation • Death may be caused by toxins or bacteremia  Disruption of infected carcasses a key to spreadView article (PDF, 382 KB) | |
| Sean V. Shadomy, Theresa L. Smith | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Jul 1;233(1):63-72. | |
| Arenaviruses | |
| The arenavirusesHighlights: • Rodent-borne RNA viruses, e.g. Lassa virus • Category A bioterrorism pathogens • Viral hemorrhagic fever has high case fatality rate Veterinarians handling rodents must know risksView article (PDF, 525 KB) | |
| Michele T. Jay, Carol Glaser, Charles F. Fulhorst | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005 Sep 15;227(6):904-15. | |
| Brucellosis | More in Additional resources |
| BrucellosisHighlights: • One of the oldest recognized bioterror agents • Abortion is most common sign in livestock • Typically transmitted via reproductive tissues, milk Slaughter of infected animals key to controlView article (PDF, 564 KB) | |
| M. Kathleen Glynn, Tracey V. Lynn | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Sep 15;233(6):900-8. | |
| Filoviruses | |
| Filovirus infectionsHighlights: • Ebola, Marburg viruses make up this group • Human infection linked to primates, bats • Highly virulent with mortality rate near 90% Need improved surveillance of outbreaksView article (PDF, 451 KB) | |
| Kelly L. Warfield, Emily M. Deal, Sina Bavari | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009 May 1;234(9):1130-9. | |
| Glanders | |
| GlandersHighlights: • Highly contagious disease of horses, mules • Respiratory, cutaneous, lymphatic nodules seen • Has been used historically as bioterrorism agent Caution: Treating animals may create carrier stateView article (PDF, 354 KB) | |
| Glenda D. Dvorak, Anna R. Spickler | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Aug 15;233(4):570-7. | |
| Hantaviruses | |
| Hantaviruses: etiologic agents of rare, but potentially life-threatening zoonotic diseasesHighlights: • Rodent-borne viruses, e.g. Sin Nombre Virus • In US, causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome • 1993 outbreak: 38% case fatality rate Take precautions when handling mice, habitatsView article (PDF, 108 KB) | |
| Charles H. Calisher, James N. Mills, J. Jeffrey Root, Barry J. Beaty | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Jan 15;222(2):163-6. | |
| Plague | |
| Plague: a veterinary perspectiveHighlights: • Agent: Yersinia pestis bacterium • 5-15 human cases reported in US each year • Cat-associated plague first reported in 1977 Do not send cats home if plague is suspectedView article (PDF, 87 KB) | |
| Kathleen A. Orloski, Sarah L. Lathrop | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Feb 15;222(4):444-8. | |
| Psittacosis | |
| Psittacosis/avian chlamydiosisHighlights: • Agent: Chlamydophila psittaci bacterium • Affects 150 avian, many mammalian species • Diverse illnesses possible in human infection Human infection a serious risk in poultry industryView article (PDF, 93 KB) | |
| Millicent Eidson | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Dec 15;221(12):1710-2. | |
| Q fever | |
| Q feverHighlights: • Agent: Coxiella burnetii rickettsial bacterium • Key route: Aerosolized infected parturient tissues • Chronic disease can be deadly Livestock workers at greatest risk of exposureView article (PDF, 61 KB) | |
| Jennifer H. McQuiston, James E. Childs, Herbert A. Thompson | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Sep 15;221(6):796-9. | |
| Rift Valley fever virus | |
| Rift Valley fever virusHighlights: • Mosquito-borne pathogen of livestock, humans • Hallmark: Abortion storms after heavy rain • Disease often recognized in humans first One-medicine approach is criticalView article (PDF, 730 KB) | |
| Brian H. Bird, Thomas G. Ksiazek, Stuart T. Nichol, N. James MacLachlan | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009 Apr 1;234(7):883-893. | |
| Tularemia | |
| TularemiaHighlights: • Agent: Francisella tularensis coccobacillus • Also known as “rabbit fever” • Pneumonic form: 60% untreated fatality rate Aerosolized form has potential for great harmView article (PDF, 285 KB) | |
| Katherine Anne Feldman | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Mar 15;222(6):725-30. | |
| General | |
| Biological terrorism against animals and humans: a brief review and primer for actionHighlights: • Veterinarians are key in disease surveillance • Agricultural bioterrorism a serious threat • Production in livestock should be monitored CE on foreign animal diseases neededView article (PDF, 55 KB) | |
| Donald L. Noah, Harvey R. Crowder | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Jul 1;221(1):40-3. | |
| Other pathogens with human health consequences | |
| Animal bites | |
| Animal bitesHighlights: • Greatest risk: Dogs familiar to victim, home setting • Hand wounds most prone to complications • Animals with prior biting history more likely to bite Be aware of potential for occult traumaView article (PDF, 392 KB) | |
| Gary J. Patronek, Sally A. Slavinski | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009 Feb 1;234(3):336-45. | |
| Aquatic zoonoses | |
| Aquatic zoonoses associated with food, bait, ornamental, and tropical fishHighlights: • Bacteria are most common zoonotic agents • Mycobacterium spp: “fish handlers’ disease” • Abrasions are most common means of exposure Gloves should be worn whenever handling fishView article (PDF, 305 KB) | |
| Toby Lowry, Stephen A. Smith | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Sep 15;231(6):876-80. | |
| Avian influenza | |
| Avian influenza and Newcastle diseaseHighlights: • Avian influenza viruses pose low risk to humans • Newcastle disease in humans mild, self-limiting • NDV has potential anticancer activity Human infections with AIV, NDV are rareView article (PDF, 182 KB) | |
| David E. Swayne, Daniel J. King | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Jun 1;222(11):1534-40. | |
| Bartonellosis | |
| Cat scratch disease and other zoonotic Bartonella infectionsHighlights: • Primary agent: Bartonella henselae bacterium • Cats are main reservoir; also rodents • B berkhoffii a cause of endocarditis in dogs Suspect B berkhoffii in dogs with cardiac diseaseView article (PDF, 178 KB) | |
| Bruno B. Chomel, Henri Jean Boulouis, Edward B. Breitschwerdt | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Apr 15;224(8):1270-9. | |
| Borreliosis | More in Additional resources |
| Lyme borreliosisHighlights: • Agent: Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete • Red, expanding rash early sign in humans • Dogs most commonly develop lameness, fever Prompt removal of ticks importantView article (PDF, 151 KB) | |
| Curtis L. Fritz, Anne M. Kjemtrup | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Nov 1;223(9):1261-70. | |
| Campylobacteriosis | |
| Human campylobacteriosis: a challenge for the veterinary professionHighlights: • Campylobacter spp causes of foodborne illness • Poultry, unpasteurized milk sources of infection • 5% of infections related to contact with dogs, cats Fluoroquinolone resistance a challengeView article (PDF, 445 KB) | |
| Sean F. Altekruse, Linda K. Tollefson | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Aug 15;223(4):445-52. | |
| Ehrlichiosis | |
| Ehrlichiosis and related infectionsHighlights: • Agents: Ehrlichia and Anaplasma spp bacteria • Transmitted via tick bites • German Shepherd Dogs may be severely affected Delayed treatment may result in serious diseaseView article (PDF, 2044 KB) | |
| Jennifer H. McQuiston, Candace L. McCall, William L. Nicholson | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Dec 15;223(12):1750-6. | |
| Escherichia coli | More in Additional resources |
| Animal issues associated with Escherichia coli O157:H7Highlights: • 1 in 4 cattle at slaughter shedding E coli O157:H7 • Undercooked beef source of infection in humans • Antimicrobial resistance is low Efforts to reduce fecal shedding in cattle are keyView article (PDF, 69 KB) | |
| Susan Sanchez, Margie D. Lee, Barry G. Harmon, John J. Maurer, Michael P. Doyle | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Oct 15;221(8):1122-6. | |
| Leptospirosis | More in Additional resources |
| LeptospirosisHighlights: • Rodents are most important maintenance hosts • Water contaminated with urine a common source • Cases in dogs have increased in US, Canada Use gloves, goggles to prevent in-clinic exposureView article (PDF, 322 KB) | |
| Marta A. Guerra | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009 Feb 15;234(4):472-8. | |
| Prion diseases | More in Additional resources |
| Transmissible spongiform encephalopathiesHighlights: • Prions: Abnormal isoforms of a cellular protein • Cause of progressive, fatal neurodegeneration • TSEs identified in various animals, humans BSE, vCJD show species barrier can be breachedView article (PDF, 420 KB) | |
| James J. Sejvar, Lawrence B. Schonberger, Ermias D. Belay | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Dec 1;233(11):1705-12. | |
| Bovine spongiform encephalopathyHighlights: • Slow-onset, fatal encephalopathy of cattle • Transmitted via ingestion of infected CNS tissue • Mean incubation period in cattle is 4.5 to 5.5 years Currently no test available for BSE in living animalsView article (PDF, 244 KB) | |
| Jane L. Harman, Christopher J. Silva | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009 Jan 1;234(1):59-72. | |
| Rocky Mountain spotted fever | |
| Rocky Mountain spotted feverHighlights: • Rickettsia rickettsii an intracellular bacterium • Dogs and humans have clinical illness • Rickettsiae induce vasculitis, thrombosis Prompt removal of ticks, early diagnosis importantView article (PDF, 100 KB) | |
| Ronald D. Warner, Wallace W. Marsh | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Nov 15;221(10):1413-7. | |
| Salmonellosis | |
| Animal sources of salmonellosis in humansHighlights: • Salmonella spp causes of foodborne illness • Poultry, meat, eggs are most common sources • Inapparent carrier state in animals a concern Prevention of reintroduction is key control strategyView article (PDF, 72 KB) | |
| Susan Sanchez, Charles L. Hofacre, Margie D. Lee, John J. Maurer, Michael P. Doyle | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Aug 15;221(4):492-7. | |
| Screwworms | |
| ScrewwormsHighlights: • Screwworms a threat to US livestock industry • Eradicated in 1966, but reintroduction a concern • Persons, animals at risk if visit endemic countries Be alert to wounds, myiasis in animals from IraqView article (PDF, 879 KB) | |
| James L. Alexander | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006 Feb 1;228(3):357-67. | |
| Sporotrichosis | |
| SporotrichosisHighlights: • Sporothrix schenckii a dimorphic fungus • Disease often seen in gardeners • Cats are key source of transmission to humans Yeast-like cells on cytologic exam are diagnosticView article (PDF, 186 KB) | |
| Ronald D. Welsh | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Oct 15;223(8):1123-6. | |
| Tuberculosis | |
| TuberculosisHighlights: • Mycobacterium bovis can cause human infection • M bovis spreads from wild to domestic animals • Principal sign: emaciation despite good nutrition Tuberculin skin test a practical diagnostic methodView article (PDF, 128 KB) | |
| John B. Kaneene, Charles O. Thoen | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Mar 1;224(5):685-91. | |
| West Nile virus | More in Additional resources |
| West Nile virusHighlights: • Top cause of human arboviral encephalitis in US • Virus transmitted from wild birds to mosquitoes • Horses, humans highly susceptible to disease Potential zoonotic risk via fecal, oral sheddingView article (PDF, 121 KB) | |
| Rosalie Trevejo, Millicent Eidson | |
| Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 May 1;232(9):1302-9. |