Diseases Transmitted By Animals Quiz

Answer: Malaria

Malaria is found mostly in tropical and sub tropical climates. Symptoms of the disease include fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, nausea and vomiting. An affected person may give a history of having 'rigors', whereby they feel very cold and need extra covers and clothing to feel warm, then they begin to feel very hot. This hot stage is followed by an episode of uncontrollable shivering and the cycle repeats itself. These episodes of rigor are consistent with the pathophysiology of malaria. Because the red blood cells and liver are often affected, jaundice and anemia are common in persons with the disease.
Preventative measures include use of mosquito nets and insect repellent, periodic spraying of insecticide and proper drainage and irrigation of land since stagnant water fosters breeding of mosquitoes.
Leishmaniasis is transmitted by the sand fly. Leprosy is caused by the bacteria mycobacterium leprae. Although the mode of transmission is unclear, the disease is believed to spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. Tuberculosis is caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is an air borne disease, therefore an infected person can spread the disease mainly through coughing, sneezing or talking.

Answer: Rats

The plague caused millions of deaths in medieval Europe. According to Wikipedia, "it was one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, peaking between 1348 and 1350." The causative organism is thought to be the bacteria Yersinia pestis. It was actually the fleas of rats that were infested with this organism. If an individual was bitten by the infected flea, the plague was transmitted.

The disease was also transmitted through droplets or direct contact with infected tissue fluid. Symptoms of the plague include fever, chills, headache, gangrene, bleeding from the mouth, nose, rectum as well as bleeding under the skin, causing the individual to appear dark.

Answer: Lyme disease

An individual with Lyme disease may be asymptomatic. Other victims may have flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and muscle ache initially. Around the site of the tick bite, a red, ring-shaped rash which is referred to as a "bull's eye rash" is usually present. If not diagnosed and treated early, complications develop, and other symptoms present.

These include: arthritis, enlarged, painful lymph nodes, neurological signs such as facial paralysis, stiff neck and altered mental status.

A rash may be seen on other areas of the body apart from the site where the victim was bitten. Itching is also common.

Answer: Cat scratch disease

Some cats are infected with the bacteria Bartonalla henselae. They usually have no symptoms hence one can't tell that a cat has the organism by just looking at the cat. If bitten or scratched by an infected cat, or if licked on an open wound, the disease can be transmitted. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache and malaise.

The affected lymph node drains pus in some cases. If bitten or scratched by a cat, one should wash the wound with soap and water. Report signs of infection to a physician.

The condition is generally not serious, however, people with suppression of their immune system, for example those with AIDS are likely to be more affected than others.

Answer: Sand fly

Leishmaniasis is transmitted through the bite of a female Phlebotomine sandfly. The disease is found mostly in tropical and subtropical countries. The most prominent feature is skin sores which develop weeks or months after the individual has been bitten by a sand fly. Other features are fever, enlarged spleen, anemia and damage to the liver.

Answer: Pigs

Symptoms of swine influenza are similar to those of the seasonal influenza - fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
People who come into direct contact with pigs, for example farmers and pork processors as well as kids who play with these animals, are susceptible to the disease. Once a person has the swine flu virus, it can be transmitted from human to human through coughing, sneezing etc. The disease is not transmitted by eating pork or other products made from pigs.

Answer: Rabies

The rabies virus affects the brain and spinal cord resulting in symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, paralysis, difficulty sleeping or swallowing and agitation. Symptoms start with manifestations such as fever, headache and malaise, then quickly progress to include neurological signs. Once symptoms manifest, it is usually too late for treatment.
Animals infected with the rabies virus may have the following manifestations: drooling excessively, aggression, staggering, seizures and increased sensitivity to light.
If bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical advice.
One should avoid leaving food to attract wild animals and ensure garbage bins are covered and secure. Avoid petting wild animals or touching dead ones. Get pets vaccinated.

Answer: Dengue fever

Dengue is caused by a virus which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms of dengue fever include temperatures as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit, headache, joint and muscle ache, nausea and vomiting. Initially, the individual may have a red rash about the body.

As the disease progresses, the rash begins to look like clusters of tiny boils. There is no vaccine for dengue fever. Precautions should be taken to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Prompt treatment is essential.

Answer: Through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The disease is transmitted through the bite of the female Aedes aegypti and other mosquitoes. It is common in tropical and subtropical countries. Most cases are mild with symptoms of fever, headache, back ache and nausea and vomiting. In some cases the disease goes into a hemorrhagic phase with liver involvement. Symptoms of this serious phase include jaundice, abdominal pain, bleeding from the eyes, mouth , stomach and lower gut.
Prevention entails vaccination, use of mosquito nets and insect repellent.

Answer: Mad cow disease

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) affects mainly cattle. The disease is transmitted to humans who eat infected meat. It affects mainly the brain and spinal cord.