As many farmers and veterinarians work with animals on a regular basis, it can be easy to become careless about protecting ourselves from zoonotic diseases.
Protecting the farmer from zoonotic diseases
Close contact with livestock during calving or lambing can increase the farmer’s exposure to potentially devastating illnesses that can infect humans
Cache Valley Virus can be difficult to prevent in sheep flocks
Glacier FarmMedia – In the past few weeks, Prairie Diagnostic Services in Saskatoon has had some confirmed cases of stillborn and aborted sheep fetuses diagnosed with Cache Valley Virus, a mosquito-borne disease. The virus is widely distributed in mosquito populations throughout North America and in parts of Central America. It was first identified in 1956
Livestock producers must watch for zoonotic diseases
Cryptosporidia, giardia and salmonella are among diseases which can be easily passed from animals to humans
Cryptosporidia and giardia are two intestinal parasites that can cause diarrhea in people and calves. These parasites are single-celled organisms and Cryptosporidium is a common cause of diarrhea in both beef and dairy calves under one month old. Young children, pregnant woman and immune-compromised adults who are infected can have severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
