Zoonotic diseases occur in many animals including pets, livestock and wildlife. Find out more by clicking on the animals below.
Orangutans and tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, also called TB, is a lung infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is one of the oldest known infections of humans.
Orangutans can get tuberculosis from humans, and can then infect humans working with them.
The risk factors
Indonesia has a high rate of TB in humans – the second-highest globally (385 cases per 100,000 people).
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Land clearing by humans, and the rescue and rehabilitation of displaced orangutans, brings orangutans and TB-carrying humans closer together.
The wild orangutan population does not have TB – so great care must be taken that the infection does not spread to these critically endangered apes.
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Orangutan rescue and rehabilitation services will test and treat infected orangutans as part of their medical check ups. Staff need to protect themselves from TB and other diseases humans and apes can share, and to make sure they don't spread disease to their hairy orange patients.
Possums and Buruli ulcer
Buruli ulcer is a skin infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium ulcerans. It can cause deep skin ulcers in humans, particularly on the lower parts of the arms and legs.
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Buruli ulcer is a public health issue in several tropical African and Asian countries. Infections are also occurring with increasing frequency in south-eastern Australia. Treatment is a long course of antibiotics, and sometimes surgery to remove infected tissue.
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Hotspots for Buruli ulcer in Australia include the Mornington Peninsula, Bellarine Peninsula and other pockets around Melbourne and East Gippsland.
The risk factors
M. ulcerans bacteria normally live in the soil, but can also be carried by brushtail and ringtail possums in Australia. Possums can sometimes develop ulcerative skin lesions due to M. ulcerans.
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A recent research study found M. ulcerans in mosquitos that fed on possums and humans. It's now thought that possums are a wildlife reservoir for the bacteria, and infection can be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.
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While the links between possums, mosquitos and environmental reservoirs are still being worked out, protecting yourself from mosquito bites is one way to reduce the chances of developing a Buruli ulcer.
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More diseases to be added soon!