Background Information

Zoonoses are infections naturally transmissible between vertebrate animal hosts and humans. They are a diverse group of infections with varied epidemiology, clinical features and control measures. The causative organism may be viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or parasitic.

Transmission may be direct (in occupational settings or due to leisure activity or to keeping pets) or via food and water.

See here for a  Table of zoonotic diseases and organisms

Zoonotic infections are monitored in England and Wales through arrangements for both human and animal health. Their diagnosis, surveillance, prevention, and control requires a high degree of interagency and intersectoral collaboration, notably between health and agriculture.

The joint Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group is a multi-agency and cross-disciplinary horizon scanning group with members from the HPA, Defra, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA), and the Department of Health (DH), and is chaired by the HPA's Department of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (EIZ) at HPA Colindale. The group meets monthly to identify and discuss infections with potential for interspecies transfer (particularly zoonotic infections).

More information on the Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance group

Last reviewed: 15 April 2011