Every July 6, World Zoonoses Day is celebrated to raise awareness about infectious diseases that can be transmitted back and forward between animals and humans, i.e., zoonoses.
These pathogens can be bacterial, viral, parasitic or fungal and can be transmitted through direct contact between humans and animals, vectors such as insects or ticks, or even the environment (for example when coming in contact with a surface that an animal with a zoonotic disease has touched). Up to 75% of new and emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin and mostly come from wild animals. Just remember the outbreak of Covid-19. Furthermore, at least 70 different zoonotic diseases, some potentially dangerous to people, have been linked to the trade of wild animals for pet keeping.
Dealing with zoonoses at AAP
At AAP, all rescued animals are subject to a quarantine period during which all necessary tests are carried out to detect any diseases that could affect other animals or humans. Quarantine can last several weeks up to several months, depending on the species.
AAP rescues captive wild animals that are susceptible to zoonotic viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Between 2015 and 2019, we found that 1 in 7 animals that arrived at AAP carried a zoonotic disease. When we take in stray animals, this number rises to 1 in 2 animals (50%), You can read more about the zoonotic diseases we come across at AAP in our report Infected & Undetected Zoonoses and Exotic Pets in the EU (2021).
Addressing zoonotic disease risks
The trade of wild animals for pet keeping brings wild animals from different, often unknown, backgrounds together, in usually stressful conditions. This is the ideal situation for the emergence and spread of diseases. When animals are kept in stressful conditions, their immune systems become compromised, making them more prone to becoming ill and to spread pathogens.
To minimize zoonotic disease risks we need to address the trade of wild animals, including the trade of wild animals for pet keeping. That is why AAP is working hard to achieve a EU-wide Positive List of companion animals and Positive Lists in all Member States. A Positive List is a list of species that may be kept as pets. These lists should be based on objective animal welfare, public health & safety and environmental criteria.
EU Positive List
More about Positive Lists
