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Exotic pets may pose health risk
Infection Control Monitor, December 1, 2006
While exotic pets from Africa, Asia, and South America can be cute and trendy, the fact these animals come into the country will little or no screening for disease is raising health concerns, reported the Associated Press (AP). From kangaroos to kinkajous [actress Paris Hilton landed in the emergency room this summer after being bitten by her pet kinkajou "Baby Luv"], Americans are creating a demand for such wildlife.
Scientists fear that bacteria and viruses carried by the pets can jump to humans and native animals. Zoonotic diseases, which jump to humans, account for three-quarters of all emerging infectious threats, according to the CDC. Five of the six diseases the agency regards as top threats to national security are zoonotic and the CDC recently opened a center to better prepare for and monitor such diseases, the AP reported.
The Journal of Internal Medicine estimated that 50 million people across the world have been infected with zoonotic diseases since 2000 and as many as 78,000 have died, the news agency said.
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