Policy and Procedures: ZOONOTIC DISEASE
Purpose: To ensure a healthy environment for the safe interaction between zoo animals and humans.
File Number: 05
Last Reviewed: March 7, 2008
Pertains To: All employees, part time and temporary staff, contract workers, volunteers, interns and coop students (collectively referred to as “STAFF”)
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
As modern society becomes increasingly segregated from nature, experiencing animals in zoological
parks and aquariums helps reconnect visitors to wild species and spaces, providing a valuable
educational opportunity that encourages environmental awareness, respect and responsible behaviour.
Bringing the general public into direct contact with animals can result in the transmission of a host of
pathogens that are public health hazards. These hazards include bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and
prions. Any disease that is spread from animals to people, or more specifically, a disease that normally
exists in animals but that can infect humans, is called a Zoonotic Disease. Some examples are:
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Anthrax
Ascariasis
Brucellosis
Plague
Echinococcosis
Lassa fever
Listeriosis
Lyme disease
Monkeypox
Psittacosis
Rabies
Salmonellosis
Trichinosis
Toxoplasmosis
Typhus
West Nile fever
Avoiding direct contact with animals, in particular wild animals, significantly reduces the risk of anyone
becoming infected with a zoonotic disease. However, prohibiting hands-on activities with animals in
zoological parks and aquariums would deprive the public of many valuable educational experiences and
limit the extent of their relationship with nature.
DISEASE TRANSMISSION AND RISKS
Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted by a variety of routes. Some documented means of transmission
include direct and indirect contact with infected animals, airborne exposure to infective agents shed by
3667 Concession 6, Orono, Ontario, L0B 1M0, Canada
(ph) 905-983-5015 • (fax) 905-983-9858
www.junglecatworld.com • info@junglecatworld.com
animals, consumption of animal products, consumption of water that has been contaminated by animal
fecal material, or exposure to insect vectors such as fleas or ticks.
Previously, the primary mode of transmission of zoonotic diseases at agricultural fairs, petting zoos, and
farm visits was thought to be fecal-oral, that is, by ingestion of bacteria-laden feces via contaminated
food or water, or transfer by hand to mouth following contact with contaminated surfaces or animals.
Conclusions reached by investigators in several recent fair-associated outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7
suggest that ingestion or perhaps even inhalation of contaminated dust particles may be another way
people can be infected with the bacterium.
For the general public, the possibility of contracting a disease from most zoo (captive) animals is
minimal. Some of the few risks include Salmonellosis and Escherichia coli (E.coli) infection. Jungle Cat
World also recognizes Bartonella henselae infection (Cat Scratch Fever) as an area of concern, due to
the zoo’s use of non-domestic felids in hands-on educational programming.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
While animal contact opportunities for the general public can present increased risks, these can be
controlled with reasonable precautions. Transmission of zoonotic diseases can be prevented with
appropriate animal care, monitoring, quarantine programs and proper hand washing and/or sanitizing
techniques.
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Heightened precautions shall be applied to high-risk groups: Certain segments of the population
are more at-risk for contracting these pathogens: the young, the elderly, pregnant women, and
individuals who are immunosuppressed, such as those infected with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients,
and organ transplant recipients.
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Animals at the zoo, but not available for close public contact, will be kept in enclosures with
adequate security barriers (e.g.- perimeter fencing, locked room)
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Where direct contact between animals and the visiting public is promoted, hand washing and/or
sanitizing facilities will be provided, with either signage or supervising staff available to
encourage and educate the public of its use. Hand washing is perhaps the single most effective
personal hygiene procedure for reducing the risk of infection.
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Food, drink, pacifiers or smoking are not allowed during programs or areas in which the public
can come in contact with animals.
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Animals in contact programs will be checked on a regular basis to ensure that they are free of
infectious processes transmissible to people.
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Contact areas to which the public has access to will be regularly cleaned of faeces and other
debris. Animals themselves will be kept appropriately washed and groomed.
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A review must be undertaken should someone become sick from a zoonotic disease. The
suspected animal must be immediately quarantined and receive veterinary treatment.
3667 Concession 6, Orono, Ontario, L0B 1M0, Canada
(ph) 905-983-5015 • (fax) 905-983-9858
www.junglecatworld.com • info@junglecatworld.com
REFERENCES
 Peter Klose, Director, Safari Zoo Camp
 CAZA Policy Re: Human and Animal Contact
http://www.caza.ca/media/Pdf/Policies/Oct_15_2007_policy_on_Animal_Contact_eng.pdf
 AZA Policy for Animal Contact With the General Public
Submitted by the Animal Health Committee: R. Eric Miller, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Chairman
http://www.aza.org/AboutAZA/animalcontactpolicy/
 eMedicineHealth:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=12958
 Marler Clark, Attorneys at Law, L.L.P, P.S.
http://www.fair-safety.com/
 Centers for Disease Control and Infection
http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/child.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/catscratch.htm
 Bartonella Henselae Antibody Prevalence in Free-Ranging and Captive Wild Felids from
California, Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 34(1) 1998 pp.56-63, Wildlife Disease Association
http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/34/1/56.pdf
3667 Concession 6, Orono, Ontario, L0B 1M0, Canada
(ph) 905-983-5015 • (fax) 905-983-9858
www.junglecatworld.com • info@junglecatworld.com