Zoonotic Diseases and Public Health Flashcards

Which tickborne disease, caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, is considered zoonotic and shares its vector with Lyme disease in the northeastern US?

Answer: Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA)

Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis and is transmitted by Ixodes scapularis, the same tick that transmits Borrelia burgdorferi.

A veterinarian suspects Yersinia pestis (plague) in a prairie dog colony in New Mexico. Appropriate immediate public health actions include:

Answer: Notifying public health authorities and applying insecticide to reduce flea populations

Plague control requires immediate notification of public health authorities and flea reduction, as fleas are the primary transmission vector and insecticide application interrupts the cycle.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is caused by Bartonella henselae. Which clinical scenario represents the HIGHEST risk for severe or systemic disease?

Answer: An HIV-positive adult scratched by a flea-infested kitten developing bacillary angiomatosis

Bartonella henselae causes bacillary angiomatosis—a severe, disseminated vascular proliferative disease—in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with HIV/AIDS.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been documented as a zoonosis. Which transmission pattern has been confirmed in companion animal households?

Answer: Bidirectional transmission between pets and their owners has been documented

Studies have confirmed bidirectional MRSA transmission between pets (dogs and cats) and their owners, with shared household strain types identified through molecular typing.

Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in the environment primarily originate from which host, and what is the primary public health risk for pregnant women?

Answer: Definitive hosts (felids); risk is congenital transmission causing fetal damage

Only felids shed infective oocysts; primary risk for pregnant women is congenital toxoplasmosis causing abortion, stillbirth, or severe fetal neurological damage.

In the context of avian influenza surveillance, the term 'spillover event' refers to:

Answer: Transmission of an avian influenza strain to a mammalian (non-avian) host

Spillover refers to interspecies transmission events where an avian influenza strain crosses from avian hosts into mammals, including pigs or humans, with pandemic potential.

A confirmed human case of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is identified on a poultry farm. Under USDA/CDC coordination, veterinarians are responsible for:

Answer: Conducting epidemiological investigation and depopulation of infected flocks

Veterinarians play a critical role in the One Health response by conducting flock investigations, confirming diagnosis, and overseeing humane depopulation to eliminate the source of human exposure.