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Seattle & King County
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Seattle, WA 98104

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Zoonotic Disease Program

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Zoonotic diseases (also called zoonoses) are infectious diseases that can be spread from animals to humans. There are many zoonotic diseases, and their threat to human health is growing due to increasing global movement of people and animals and the effects of human populations expanding into previously undeveloped wildlife habitats.  Climatic change may also lead to greater zoonotic diseases threats.

Some zoonotic diseases are transmitted directly from animals to people, some result from contamination of the environment by animals, and others require a vector such a tick or mosquito.  Examples of zoonotic diseases include:

  • Bacterial - Salmonella, E. coli, leptospirosis
  • Viral -  Rabies, avian influenza
  • Fungal - Ringworm, sporotrichosis
  • Parasitic - Toxoplasmosis, larval migrans due to roundworms
  • Vector-borne
    • West Nile virus, spread by mosquitoes
    • Lyme disease, spread by ticks

Public Health - Seattle & King County's Zoonotic Disease Program provides information for King County residents about prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.  Program staff consult with veterinarians and other medical professionals on potential cases of zoonotic disease in animals; investigate animal cases or outbreaks; provide on-site infection control recommendations for animal exhibits (e.g., fairs, farm tours); conduct active surveillance for zoonotic diseases (e.g., West Nile virus); and provide community-based health education.  The Zoonotic Disease Program is also responsible for licensing, inspecting, and responding to complaints about pet shops, boarding kennels and pet daycare businesses in the city of Seattle and assisting with disease prevention at animal shelters.

The Public Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology & Immunization Section is responsible for control and prevention of communicable diseases, including zoonotic diseases, in humans in King County.

Animals that can carry and spread diseases to people


Birds: wild birds Fish
Birds: chickens & other poultry Goats and other livestock
Birds: pet birds Monkeys and other primates
Bats Petting zoo animals
Cats Raccoons and other wildlife
Dogs Reptiles and amphibians
Ferrets Rodents, pocket pets and rabbits

Arthropods that can carry and spread diseases to people

Zoonotic diseases, A-Z

Zoonotic diseases A-Z, homepage

Avian Influenza (bird flu) Q Fever
Anisakiasis (Worms in raw fish)

Rabies

Brucellosis

Rat bite fever
Campylobacteriosis Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris)
Cat Scratch Disease Ringworm
E. coli O157:H7 Salmonellosis - Aquariums
Fish tank granuloma: mycobacterium marinum Salmonellosis - Chicks and ducklings
Giardia Salmonellosis - Goats and livestock
Hantavirus Salmonellosis - Owl pellets
Herpes B virus Salmonellosis - Reptiles and amphibians

Leptospirosis

Salmonellosis - Rodents and pocket pets

Listeriosis

Sporotrichosis

Lyme Disease Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF)
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV) Toxocara infection (roundworm)

Monkeypox

Toxoplasmosis

Plague

Tularemia

Psittacosis

West Nile virus

Persons at higher risk (immune-compromised)

Some people are more likely to get diseases from animals or to develop more severe disease because of weaker immune systems. People at higher risk due to immune compromise include:

  • organ transplant recipients
  • people on cancer treatment or other therapy that suppresses the immune system
  • people with AIDS
  • elderly people
  • pregnant women
  • children under 5 years of age

Animals to avoid:

  • reptiles and amphibians such as lizards, snakes, frogs & turtles
  • baby chicks & ducklings
  • exotic pets like hedgehogs
  • sick animals, especially those with diarrhea

Pregnant women should also avoid hamsters and mice due to the risk of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection that can harm the unborn baby. Pregnant women should also take precautions to avoid toxoplasmosis, which can be transmitted in cat feces.

Resources:

Contact us

Environmental Health Services
Zoonotic Disease Program
401 5th Ave, Suite 1100
Seattle, WA 98104
206-205-4394


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Services
Seattle Pet Business Permits: For commercial kennels, pet daycares and shops where pets are sold or adopted in the city of Seattle

King County Pet Business Permits: For pet related businesses in King County

Testing bats for rabies in King County

Zoonotic diseases in the news

Emergency preparedness for pets:
Saving the whole family (American Veterinary Medical Association)
Protect your pets in an emergency (CDC)

WA Dept of Agriculture Animal Health Program
Information about animal importing and exporting requirements in Washington and health information for agricultural animals.

Zoonotic Disease Prevention Regulations: King County Board of Health Code Title 8

A crow is harassing me, how do I defend myself?

Resources for veterinarians

Pet licensing services
List of licensing agencies in King County:
Seattle Animal Shelter, 206-386-4262
City of Des Moines, 206-870-6549
City of Medina, 425-454-9222
City of Newcastle, 425-649-4444
City of Normandy Park, 206-248-7603
City of Renton, 425-430-6850
Remainder of King County is served by King County Animal Care and Control, 206-296-7387

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