Information for Veterinarians
Veterinarians should be aware of the risk for zoonotic diseases in pets, farm animals, and wildlife, as well as the risk of diseases spreading between animals and their owners. Veterinarians should counsel clients on disease prevention practices, including how to stay safe and healthy around pets and other animals. The following resources include current guidelines on specific zoonotic disease topics, educational resources, and references to disease-specific information.
Zoonoses & One Health Updates (ZOHU) Calls are one-hour monthly webinars that provide timely education on zoonotic and infectious diseases, One Health, and related health threats at the human- animal-environment interface. Earn free Continuing Education with ZOHU Calls.
Guidelines and Recommendations
- Veterinary Safety and Health (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
- Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings, 2017external icon (National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians)
- Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2016external icon (National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians)
- Compendium of Measures to Control Chlamydia psittaci Infection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), 2017external icon (National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians)
- Compendium of Veterinary Standard Precautions for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnelexternal icon (National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians)
- Antimicrobial Use in Companion Animal Practiceexternal icon (American Veterinary Medical Association)
- State Rabies Vaccination Lawsexternal icon (American Veterinary Medical Association)
- Guidelines for Safe Work Practices in Human and Animal Medical Diagnostic Laboratories pdf icon[PDF – 105 pages]
Disease-Specific Resources
CDC offers information for veterinarians on several common zoonotic infections that can spread between animals and people. For details regarding vaccination, treatment, testing, and other topics, please visit the disease-specific pages for veterinarians listed below.
- Anthrax – Worker Safety
- Bartonella for Vets
- Brucellosis for Vets
- Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)-Associated Illnesses – Reference Cards
- Monkeypox for Vets
- Plague for Vets
- Rabies for Vets
- Seoul Virus – Testing in Pet Rats
- Veterinarians: Protect Your Patients, Combat Antibiotic Resistance
Zoonotic Disease Outbreak Information
In addition to disease-specific information, CDC provides a list of current and recent US outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, including information for veterinarians regarding these outbreaks.
CDC Expert Commentaries
- Animal Lovers and Zoonotic Diseases: 5 Things to Knowexternal icon
Anyone who comes in contact with animals is at risk for zoonotic diseases. - 5 Hidden Dangers in International Travelexternal icon
Travel to far-flung, global locations is growing in popularity. Prepare your clients for safe and healthy international travel with these five things to remember. - Rabies Risk Assessmentexternal icon
Challenge yourself with these cases that illustrate key rabies prevention and treatment situations. Would you know what to do? - Illnesses Linked to Contact with Pets and Farm Animals
external iconIn this slideshow, CDC reviews outbreaks of enteric diseases linked to contact with animals. - Pet Turtles Can Make People Sick: Guidance for Clinicians
external iconMany people keep small turtles as pets, not realizing that they can cause disease. - Pets Can Make People Sick
external iconWhich furry (and not furry) friends are most likely to transmit infection to humans? Share these precautions with your pet-loving patients. - Neglected Infections of Poverty – Toxocariasis
external iconLearn about a disease associated with poverty, low education levels, and dog ownership.
Highlighted Publications
- WSAVA Clinician’s Brief: Do Backyard Chickens Pose Any Health Risks to Humans?external icon
- WSAVA Clinician’s Brief: Can Children Get Pinworms from a Pet Dog or Cat?external icon
- WSAVA Clinician’s Brief: Do Pet Reptiles or Amphibians Pose Any Health Risks to Humans?external icon
- Confronting Zoonoses, Linking Human and Veterinary Medicine
- Reducing the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infectionsexternal icon
- Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens affecting animal healthexternal icon (American Veterinary Medical Association)
Resources for Clients
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)external icon
- Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)external icon
- Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC)external icon
- National Association of Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV)external icon
- United States Animal Health Association (USAHA)external icon
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)external icon
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Health Programexternal icon