Even though researchers aren’t yet sure if the A/H1N1 (“swine flu”) virus originated in pigs, the outbreak may still have you thinking about what diseases humans can contract from animals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that cats and dogs can carry germs and pass them to people, and their Health Pets Healthy People Web site lists several diseases—such as Lyme disease, rabies, toxoplasmosis and ringworm—that can be transmitted from pets to humans. However, they say you are not likely to get sick from touching or owning a pet. To better ensure you stay out of the doctor’s office, here are a few precautions you can take to prevent transmission:

1) Thoroughly wash your hands with water and soap after contact with dogs, dog saliva or dog feces.

2) Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water if you come in contact with cat feces.

3) If you are scratched or bitten by a cat, wash the area with soap and running water right away.

To learn more, visit cdc.gov/HEALTHYPETS/animals/dogs.htm and cdc.gov/HEALTHYPETS/animals/cats.htm.

SEE ALSO:
Get freebies for your dog
Save money on pet care
Save a homeless cat
Can you afford a new dog?

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

Photo by Be_khe, Flickr

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