Infectious Diseases (Human and Animal)

Vaccine preventable diseases are those infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccination (WHO, 2012).

Pertussis is a highly contagious disease of the respiratory tract caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis (WHO, no date).

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoC2), a virus first identified in human populations in late 2019. Transmission occurs through droplets containing infectious virus, either by direct face to face contact (splash) generated by speaking, singing, coughing or sneezing; or by aerosolisation for up to 1 metre. Virus-containing aerosols that travel further than 1 metre are defined as airborne. The virus is thought to infect humans through the mucus membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by MERS-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) (WHO, 2019).

Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses which circulate in all parts of the world (WHO, 2018).

New World screwworms are a type of blow fly larvae (maggots) that can infest livestock and other warm blooded animals, including people. They most often enter an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal’s living flesh. If not treated, infestations can be fatal (OIE, 2020).

Vector borne diseases encompass a variety of illnesses that are caused via the spread of pathogens by living organisms known as vectors. These infectious diseases can be transmitted via vectors among humans (e.g., malaria, dengue), among animals (e.g., African swine fever, East Coast fever), or from animals to humans (e.g., Nipah virus disease). Many of these vectors are bloodsucking insects, and mosquitoes are the bestknown disease vector. Other vectors include ticks, flies, sandflies, fleas, triatomine bugs and some species of freshwater aquatic snails (adapted from OIE, 2019; WHO, 2020).

Polio (human) is a highly infectious viral disease which mainly affects young children (WHO, 2019).

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera remains a global threat to public health (WHO, 2019).

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that has symptoms similar to those of smallpox (WHO, 2019).