The information contained in this factsheet is intended for the purpose of general information and should not substitute individual expert advice and judgement of healthcare professionals.
Fleas are ectoparasitic blood-sucking insects with the ability to jump, which commonly infest wild and domestic animals (mainly dogs and cats) but also humans.
Sindbis virus is widely and continuously found in insects (the main vectors are Culex and Culiseta mosquitoes) and vertebrates in Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania. ECDC factsheet for health professionals
Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Influenza viruses that commonly circulate in swine are called “swine influenza viruses” or “swine flu viruses.” Like human influenza viruses, there are different subtypes and strains of swine influenza viruses.
Tularaemia is a zoonosis (infection that could transmit from animals to humans), A range of wild and domestic animals such as hares or rodents may function as the reservoir for tularaemia, as well as ticks.
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is a relatively new and rare neurological disease, classified as a Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE).
The common denominators are 1) the possible emergence of a disease with general bleedings – often leading to death; 2) the potential risk to close contacts
Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses. They may cause severe diseases with potential risks of human-to-human transmission via body fluids or droplets. Eliminating or minimising contact with rodents is the best way to prevent infection.