Notifiable and Zoonotic Diseases: Introduction

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and definitions related to notifiable and zoonotic diseases, as discussed in the Veterinary Health lecture.

Health

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease.

Disease

An abnormal condition affecting the structure or function of part or all of the body, usually associated with specific signs and symptoms.

One Health

An integrated approach to health that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Zoonotic Disease

Any disease or infection naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans.

Notifiable Disease

A disease that must be reported to authorities when diagnosed or suspected, as per legislation.

Exotic Notifiable Disease

A notifiable disease that is not present in the country, such as rabies or foot and mouth disease.

Endemic Notifiable Disease

A notifiable disease that is present at ongoing levels in a specific region, like bovine TB.

Epidemic Disease

A disease that occurs in an increased frequency in a given area relative to the normal expected rate.

Public Health

The science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.

Animal Welfare

The well-being of animals, which encompasses their behavior, health, and how they are treated by humans.

Zoonotic Hazards

Risks of disease transmission from animals to humans via materials such as aborted fetal material, milk, or feces.

Brucella

A genus of bacteria known to cause zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis.

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

A viral infection that affects livestock, characterized by fever and blisters in the mouth and on the feet.

Rabies

A preventable viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, resulting in fever and neurological symptoms.

Avian Influenza

An infectious disease of birds caused by influenza viruses; some strains are zoonotic.

Salmonella

A group of bacteria commonly associated with foodborne illness and zoonotic infections.

Compulsory Movement Restrictions

Legal prohibitions on the movement of animals to control the spread of notifiable diseases.

Diagnostic Testing

Laboratory tests conducted to confirm the presence of specific diseases.

Slaughter or Eradication

The process of culling infected animals to control and prevent the spread of disease.

Ecosystem Health

The health of a biological community, which impacts both human and animal health.

Resilience

The ability to adapt and recover from difficult situations, including health challenges.

National Cancer Institute Dictionary

A trusted source that provides definitions of medical and health-related terms.

Glanders

An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei, affecting horses and potentially transmissible to humans.

Q fever

A zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, often acquired through inhalation.

Listeriosis

An infectious disease caused by Listeria bacteria, typically transmitted through contaminated food.

Chlamydia

A genus of bacteria associated with zoonotic infections, including abortion in livestock.