Zoonosis
Zoonoses are diseases of animals that can cause serious illness in people. People most likely to be infected by zoonoses are abattoir workers, farm workers, shepherds, shearers, wool sorters, veterinary workers, pelt and hide tanners, livestock handlers and animal laboratory workers.
 | | The two most common zoonoses in Western Australia are Leptospirosis and Q Fever. Catching either disease from another infected person is extremely rare. |
Leptospirosis is passed to humans through contact with the urine of sick or infected stock, native and feral animals, and also by swimming, wading, or using water from urine-contaminated streams, rivers and dams.
Q Fever can be caught by drinking contaminated milk and by inhaling vapours from infected farm animals, birth fluids and dust.
Both Leptospirosis and Q Fever feel like the flu. You may have muscle pains, severe headaches and fever. The treatment for both diseases is by antibiotics.
Your employer should have safe work practices to prevent Leptospirosis and Q Fever. Safe work practices are similar and include:
avoiding contact with contaminated water;
burning afterbirth and contaminated litter;
pasteurising or boiling milk before drinking;
getting rid of rats and mice;
maintaining cleanliness in animal sheds, yards and pens; and
practicing good hygiene.
