Seven Cat Diseases Can Spread and Transmit to Humans
- Pixabay/IgorShubin
VoxPop – Although most cat infectious diseases only affect other cats, it turns out that some cat diseases can be transmitted to humans. Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans are called zoonoses. The average person's chance of contracting a zoonotic disease from a cat is quite low, but individuals with weakened immune systems can develop the disease.
People who are susceptible to diseases from cats are individuals with immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the elderly, and people who are undergoing cancer chemotherapy or receiving other drugs that can suppress their immune system. Compiled from various sources, here is a review of the diseases spread and transmitted by cats to humans.
1. Bartonella henselae Bacterial Infection
Another type of disease that cats can transmit to humans is a bacterial infection. Cat scratch disease (CSD) is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae, which can be carried in the saliva and fleas of infected cats. As the name suggests, this bacterial infection is usually transmitted from cats to humans through scratches.
However, the disease can also be transmitted through cat bites and licks on open wounds in humans. In cats, the bacteria are most commonly spread through the bite of an infected cat flea and can also be found in the flea's feces, which can be a source of infection if it comes into contact with an open wound on a cat or human.
2. Salmonella Bacterial Infection
Ilustrasi Bakteri Salmonella
- Pixabay
The type of disease that commonly can transmit to humans is salmonellosis. This disease is caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella. It causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain until three days after infections. People usually contract salmonella from eating food that has been contaminated.
These foods include undercooked chicken or eggs, but the disease can be contracted from infected cats, which can carry salmonella and spread through their feces. Salmonella is more commonly found in cats or wild birds and animals that eat raw meat.
