Animals — both wild and domestic, and even pets — can be carriers of infections dangerous to humans (zoonoses). Therefore, when caring for or coming into contact with them, it is worth being careful and following simple rules to protect yourself from infection.
Disease pathogens are not only transmitted through bites
You may get the wrong impression that if you just pet a stray dog or clean a pen with livestock, you can't get infected with anything. But this is not true. Zoonotic infections can be transmitted not only through animal bites, but also in other ways. For example, through:
- scratches;
- saliva getting on mucous membranes or in a wound;
- contact with wool or feathers;
- contaminated hands or clothes;
- inhalation or contact with eyes and other mucous membranes of dust in animal housing areas;
- consumption of contaminated animal products that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment.
Places where there is a risk of infection with zoonoses
Be aware of the risks while:
- in private livestock farms;
- on farms;
- in places where cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry are kept;
- in contact with stray animals;
- in contact zoos. What products can be a source of zoonoses
There is a risk of infection from consuming homemade eggs, meat, and dairy products that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment - more details about this were discussed in the material at the link.
What diseases do animals carry?
The most common zoonotic infections in Ukraine include:
- Rabies — an extremely dangerous viral infection, which after the appearance of symptoms ends fatally in 100% cases. The disease is transmitted through bites, saliva getting into a wound or on mucous membranes and scratches. Rabies is transmitted by mammals: dogs and cats, including stray ones, as well as wild animals — foxes, wolves and raccoon dogs. In 2025, 2 cases of rabies were recorded in Ukraine.
- Leptospirosis — a bacterial infection that, if left untreated, can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and even death. Carriers in Ukraine are gray rats and field mice, less commonly marmots, dogs, and cattle. The disease is transmitted through contact with food and water contaminated with the urine of an infected animal (including while bathing). In 2025, 223 cases of the disease were registered in Ukraine.
- Salmonellosis — a disease that causes diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus). In some cases, symptoms persist for months, and the infection spreads to other internal organs and provokes complications. Spreads through contaminated food, animal excrement, their belongings (for example, toys and bowls) or places of detention. In 2025, 3,842 cases of salmonellosis were registered in Ukraine.
- Campylobacteriosis — a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain, and in some cases, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, and nerve damage. Transmitted through undercooked meat and unwashed hands, as well as from dogs and puppies. In 2025, 129 cases of the disease were registered in Ukraine.
- Brucellosis — symptoms of infection are similar to the flu: fever, weakness, feeling unwell, back and joint pain, weight loss. The main source of infection is cattle, less often dogs and cats. A person can become infected through contact with infected animals, through food or by inhaling dust containing pathogens.
- Toxoplasmosis — a parasitic infection that in severe cases can affect the brain, eyes, and other organs. The disease is especially dangerous for pregnant women and people with weakened or suppressed immune systems. It can be transmitted through contact with cat feces.
- Anthrax — a bacterial infection that can lead to death if not treated promptly. A person can become infected through contact with sick animals, their corpses, or contaminated meat, blood, skin, fur, or bones. Infection occurs through broken skin, eating contaminated meat, or inhaling spores of the pathogen. In Ukraine, one case of anthrax was recorded in 2020.
- Echinococcosis — a parasitic infection that causes the formation of cysts in the liver, lungs, or other organs and causes serious complications. The main source of infection is dogs and other predatory animals, which excrete the parasite's eggs in their feces. A person can become infected through dirty hands, contaminated food or water, or after contact with fur.
- Listeriosis — a bacterial infection that, in severe cases, leads to damage to the nervous system or generalized infection. It is especially dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. The main route of infection is the consumption of contaminated food products, in particular unpasteurized milk and milk products.
- Trichinosis — a parasitic infection that in severe cases can affect the heart, lungs, or central nervous system. Humans are infected mainly through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat containing trichinella larvae.
- Tularemia — a bacterial infection that can cause fever, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, skin sores, sore throat, eye or lung damage, depending on the route of infection. People can become infected through contact with infected rodents and other wild animals, through tick or flea bites, contaminated water, or by inhaling dust or aerosols containing the pathogen.
When to see a doctor
In total, animals can carry over 200 zoonotic infections. So see a doctor immediately if you develop:
- fever;
- weakness;
- abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting;
- rash;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- cough;
- joint pain.
Importantly: if wild, homeless or any other unvaccinated against rabies If an animal (or one whose vaccination status is unknown to you) has bitten you, scratched you, or its saliva has gotten on your mucous membranes or in a wound, you need to take action. immediately:
- wash the wound thoroughly with running water and soap;
- treat the edges of the wound with an antiseptic;
- seek medical attention as soon as possible.
How to protect yourself from zoonotic infections
- Get vaccinated against rabies. pets — even if they do not go outside and do not come into contact with other animals. This way you will protect both them and yourself from potential danger. It is recommended to have the first vaccination when the pet is 3 months old and then vaccinate every year. You can vaccinate your pet for free at veterinary hospitals State Food and Consumer Protection Service of your region.
- Do not feed or try to tame wild animals.
- Explain to the children, that you can't pet stray and unfamiliar pets.
- Do not allow children to have close contact with animals without your supervision.
- Wash your hands after contact with animals or cleaning up after them. We told you how to do it correctly in the material at the link.
- Don't eat or drink. in premises where animals are kept (in livestock pens, in contact zoos, etc.).
- Do not eat undercooked eggs, meat, or dairy products. sufficient heat treatment.
Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine