Human Infectious Diseases Research Articles

Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiviral Activities of Euphorbia Greenwayi var. Greenwayi Bally & S. Carter

The interest in many traditional natural products is increasing. Natural products continue producing bioactive agents owing to the remarkable available chemical diversity. They were evaluated as prospective therapeutic candidates for the treatment of human and animal infectious diseases. Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family, holds a significant place in the domain of plant families, with scientific evidence of antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, cytotoxic and antitumor properties. In this regard, the current study intends to investigate the antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and cytotoxic properties of Euphorbia greenwayi var. greenwayi Bally & S. Carter. The dried aerial parts of E. greenwayi var. greenwayi Bally & S. Carter were used, then extracted with 70% ethanol, solvent was distilled off till dryness. The antimicrobial activity of the extract and both MIC and MBC were evaluated against one strain of Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC9144; four strains of Gram-negative bacteria: Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC10031, Escherichia coli ATCC10536, Salmonella typhi ATCC14028, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC9027and yeast: Candida albicans ATCC10231. The antiviral activity of hydroalcoholic extract against Rotavirus infection was determined as well as the cytotoxic properties. The antibacterial examination revealed potential activity of the hydroalcoholic extract against all tested species with the inhibition zone ranged from 14.7 to 29.7 mm. The highest activity was against S. aureus and C. albicans. MIC and MBC results proved that the extract is potentially bacteriostatic and bactericidal agents against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and against the tested yeast. Also, the extract has the ability to prevent Rotavirus attachment with the cell host. This research revealed that the hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of E. greenwayi var. greenwayi Bally & S. Carter has significant antimicrobial potential that can be implemented in different pharmaceutical formulations.

What's in a name: The impact of monkeypox nomenclature

AbstractThe monkeypox outbreak has garnered significant global attention and has since been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Even though the virus is not novel and has been endemic in African countries, most cases in the present outbreak have been detected in Europe and the Americas. Disease nomenclature has historically included references to places, animals, and people. There could be unintended negative consequences emanating from these references. The COVID‐19 pandemic has exposed some of these consequences, with terms such as “China virus” and fueling racism and hate crimes toward Asians, especially in America. Similarly, following the monkeypox outbreak, there have been reports of attacks on monkeys in Brazil even though monkeys are not linked to this present outbreak. The WHO Best Practices for the Naming of New Human Infectious Diseases has advised the avoidance of these references and terms that can cause negative impacts. The naming of the COVID‐19 virus is an example of the use of the new naming practice. The WHO is already working on new names for the monkeypox disease. This name change will help clear up the confusion and prevent further attacks on monkeys both in Brazil and other parts of the world.

Systematic single-cell pathway analysis to characterize early Tcell activation.

Pathway analysis is a key analytical stage in the interpretation of omics data, providing a powerful method for detecting alterations in cellular processes. We recently developed a sensitive and distribution-free statistical framework for multisample distribution testing, which we implement here in the open-source R package single-cell pathway analysis (SCPA). We demonstrate the effectiveness of SCPA over commonly used methods, generate a scRNA-seq Tcell dataset, and characterize pathway activity over early cellular activation. This reveals regulatory pathways in Tcells, including an intrinsic type I interferon system regulating Tcell survival and a reliance on arachidonic acid metabolism throughout Tcell activation. A systems-level characterization of pathway activity in Tcells across multiple tissues also identifies alpha-defensin expression as a hallmark of bone-marrow-derived Tcells. Overall, this work provides a widely applicable tool for single-cell pathway analysis and highlights regulatory mechanisms of Tcells.

One Health training needs for Senegalese professionals to manage emerging public health threats

Global health trends, marked by increasing epidemics and pandemics, call for enhanced human resource preparedness to prevent and respond to emerging and future health problems. Indeed, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), at least 75% of the pathogens responsible for emerging and re-emerging human infectious diseases originate from animals. These health problems involve environmental, economic and social factors. Because of their multidimensional nature, addressing these health problems requires the adoption of a One Health approach. To achieve this, training of human resources is a priority.This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12 to 22, 2021 in 6 regions of Senegal, namely, Dakar, Thiès, Diourbel, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, and Ziguinchor. Questionnaires were administered online and in person to 217 professionals in human, environmental, animal health and agriculture. Data were statistically processed, and bivariate analyses enabled a better correlation between training needs for professionals according to their occupational group.The survey sample was 64% male and 36% female. More than half of the professionals surveyed (53.5%) had less than 10 years of experience. Human health workers were the most represented (46%), followed by animal health workers (34%) and environmental workers (16%). Agriculture, fisheries, and food security were weakly represented. Few had received training in the One Health approach and entry-level One Health skills predominated. The One Health competencies in which professionals want to build capacity differ by sector. Globally, public health and epidemiology, health risk management, basic of One Health concepts, animal health and biotechnology are the priorities.The development of training programs could then enable these expressed needs to be addressed.

NSC19723, a Thiacetazone-Like Benzaldehyde Thiosemicarbazone Improves the Efficacy of TB Drugs In Vitro and In Vivo.

The complexity and duration of tuberculosis (TB) treatment contributes to the emergence of drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) and drug-associated side effects. Alternate chemotherapeutic agents are needed to shorten the time and improve efficacy of current treatment. In this study, we have assessed the antitubercular activity of NSC19723, a benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone molecule. NSC19723 is structurally similar to thiacetazone (TAC), a second-line anti-TB drug used to treat individuals with DR-TB. NSC19723 displayed better MIC values than TAC against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis BCG. In our checkerboard experiments, NSC19723 displayed better profiles than TAC in combination with known first-line and recently approved drugs. Mechanistic studies revealed that NSC19723 inhibits mycolic acid biosynthesis by targeting the HadABC complex. Computational studies revealed that the binding pocket of HadAB is similarly occupied by NSC19723 and TAC. NSC19723 also improved the efficacy of isoniazid in macrophages and mouse models of infection. Cumulatively, we have identified a benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone scaffold that improved the activity of TB drugs in liquid cultures, macrophages, and mice. IMPORTANCE Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB is among the leading causes of death among infectious diseases in humans. This situation has worsened due to the failure of BCG vaccines and the increased number of cases with HIV-TB coinfections and drug-resistant strains. Another challenge in the field is the lengthy duration of therapy for drug-sensitive and -resistant TB. Here, we have deciphered the mechanism of action of NSC19723, benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. We show that NSC19723 targets HadABC complex and inhibits mycolic acid biosynthesis. We also show that NSC19723 enhances the activity of known drugs in liquid cultures, macrophages, and mice. We have also performed molecular docking studies to identify the interacting residues of HadAB with NSC19723. Taken together, we demonstrate that NSC19723, a benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, has better antitubercular activity than thiacetazone.

취약존재의 생산

This article focuses on disease experience and its containment policy in South Korea. In particular, the outbreak of Covid-19 shifts the main idea of how to control the disease. Koreans experienced repeated and cyclic outbreaks of human and animal infectious diseases since the beginning of the new millennium. The experiences reflected in the containment policy in human and animal diseases. This research is interested in a fact that the public health policy produces new vulnerable beings, which include humans(migrant and part-time workers) and non-humans(domestic and wild animals) through preventive culling and spatialized approach to contain infectious diseases. Aggressive and centralized policy outsources risks of diseases onto vulnerable beings. Although global health organizations have put forward the concept of ‘One Health’, a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to solve the problem and promote health of humans, animals and the ecosystem, it is not suffice to stop from producing those vulnerable beings. This article shows how the space-based containment has been adopted as a public health strategy, and how the vulnerabilities of humans and animals in ecosystems were intensified in the process of disease prevention even in the One Health frame.

Isolation and Characterization of Two Novel Siphoviruses Novomoskovsk and Bolokhovo, Encoding Polysaccharide Depolymerases Active against Bacillus pumilus.

This study describes two novel bacteriophages infecting members of the Bacillus pumilus group. Even though members of the group are not recognized as pathogenic, several strains belonging to the group have been reported to cause infectious diseases in plants, animals and humans. Bacillus pumilus group species are highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation and capable of forming biofilms, which complicates their eradication. Bacteriophages Novomoskovsk and Bolokhovo were isolated from soil samples. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the phages represent two new species of the genus Andromedavirus (class Caudoviricetes). The phages remained stable in a wide range of temperatures and pH values. A host range test showed that the phages specifically infect various strains of B. pumilus. The phages form clear plaques surrounded by halos. Both phages Novomoskovsk and Bolokhovo encode proteins with pectin lyase domains-Putative depolymerases. Obtained in a purified recombinant form, the proteins produced lysis zones on the lawn of a B. pumilus strain. This suggests that Novomoskovsk and Bolokhovo may be effective for the eradication of B. pumilus biofilms.

Sex as a risk factor for occurrence and severity of infectious and parasitic diseases in dogs: Protocol for a systematic review.

Biological sex is an important risk factor for the occurrence and severity of infectious and parasitic diseases. Although various studies and reviews have described sex differences in infectious diseases of humans, wildlife and laboratory animals, there has been little focus on biological sex as a risk factor for infectious and parasitic diseases of domestic animals. We aim to identify and synthesise evidence in dogs for the hypothesis that biological sex and gonadectomy status are determinants of occurrence and severity of disease across taxa of pathogens. This systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We will search Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed for peer-reviewed studies published in English from database inception through 2021. All study designs for infectious and parasitic diseases of dogs will be included. This review will include the outcomes prevalence or incidence of infection or disease; and severity of disease as measured by case-fatality, time to death or recovery, hospitalisation time, pathogen burden (e.g. viral load or parasitaemia) or relevant clinicopathological parameters. Two reviewers will jointly assess the first 500 records from all three databases. Subsequently, one reviewer will screen the remaining records, and then the second reviewer will verify all records excluded by the first reviewer. Full-texts of all included records will be retrieved and assessed for eligibility by the first review author, and then the second author will review those records excluded by the first author. The risk of bias in individual studies will be assessed using the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Nonrandomized Studies. We will synthesise the information from the studies and present this as a narrative in the text. The findings will be presented by outcome type and also grouped by pathogen type. Evidence on sex-specific effects will expand our understanding of infectious disease pathogenesis and underlying mechanisms, and this may be of importance in implementation of disease control interventions.

Study of the monoglycerides features as a promising alternative to antibiotics in feeding broiler chickens

The spreading of antibiotic resistance in the modern world results from the application of uncontrolled and excessively intensive antibiotics for treating human infectious diseases and their use as growth stimulants in animal farming. In some economically developed countries, restrictions on the use of antibiotics are already applied in order to prevent the generation of resistant strains of microorganisms. An essential component of such means is antibiotic-free strategies in animal farming. Recently, strategies based on the alternative to both antimicrobials and growth promoters have been proposed, including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, enzymes, and organic acids. Short-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides based on them are considered a promising alternatives to antimicrobial agents for poultry farming. However, the effects of these compounds on innate immunity and cytokine production in the intestinal system remain undiscovered. The experiment was carried out using two groups of Cobb 500 cross broilers in the conditions of an industrial poultry farm. The broiler chickens of the research group were exposed to a monoglyceride mixture with С3, С4, С8–С10 fatty acids from 1 to 7 days of life and 16 to 22 days of life at a dose of 0.5 l of the mixture per ton of water. On the 31-st day of life, productive parameters were evaluated, and five birds were selected from each group. The fragments of the duodenum, caecum, and rectum with contents were taken from the bird. In the presented study, the content of interferon-α in the tissue of the small intestine of broiler chickens under the conditions of drinking monoglyceride was studied. To evaluate the beneficial effect of monoglyceride, the state of the microbiome and productive indicators were determined. The study showed that the monoglyceride induces a statistically significant increase in the content of enterococcus in the duodenum, suppresses the growth of staphylococcus, and increases the production of interferon-α. Moreover, average daily weight gain relative to controls was almost 2% greater in monoglyceride-treated chicks. Thus, preservation of the state of microbiota and moderate stimulation of interferon-α production can be essential components of the multidirectional protective effect of monoglycerides and fatty acids.

Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Infections: An Indian Perspective.

Emerging and re-emerging viral infections pose a constant threat, especially in healthcare settings. Viral infections can be thought of as an ecological system, like a forest or a pond, with different species competing for resources. Pandemics tend to occur when there is a disruption to this ecosystem, such as introducing a strain of virus into humans or animals that they have no immunity against. Around 60% of human infectious diseases and 75% of emerging infections are zoonotic, with two-thirds originating in wildlife. There is an ongoing risk of viral diseases as the human population continues to grow and the rate of urbanization increases. The emergence and re-emergence of viral diseases are influenced by a variety of virologic and environmental factors. These factors can be roughly categorized as affecting humans, the environment and/or ecology, and viruses. The spread of zoonotic diseases among humans can be prevented by reducing the transmission risk associated with wildlife and exotic pets through education, legislation, and behavioral change programs that target individuals at risk for exposure.

Infectious human diseases

Infectious diseases are a significant burden on the global economy and public health. The major factors attributed to the rise in infectious diseases are thought to be the unstructured rise in the human population with expanding poverty, unplanned urbanization, fast urban migration, unplanned human habitats in thickly populated urban pockets that are the residence of poor people, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, inadequate vaccination, and neglect in effectively containing the zoonotic diseases, among others. Certain global regions such as China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Indonesia among the other Asian countries, sections of South America, and vast parts of Sub-Saharan Africa harbor more infectious human diseases. To contain the infectious disease burden, the health infrastructure especially in poor countries needs to be improved. With the assistance of rich countries monetarily as well as technologically, the situation can be improved. International institutions and large philanthropic organizations are working to improve human health globally. More monetary assistance to these organizations would positively contribute to the cause and would go a long way in diffusing the infectious agents.

Can Infectious Disease Control Be Achieved without Antibiotics by Exploiting Mechanisms of Disease Tolerance?

Antimicrobial use in animal agriculture may be contributing to the emerging public health crisis of antimicrobial resistance. The sustained prevalence of infectious diseases driving antimicrobial use industry-wide suggests that traditional methods of bolstering disease resistance are, for some diseases, ineffective. A paradigm shift in our approach to infectious disease control is needed to reduce antimicrobial use and sustain animal and human health and the global economy. Targeting the defensive mechanisms that promote the health of an infected host without impacting pathogen fitness, termed "disease tolerance," is a novel disease control approach ripe for discovery. This article presents examples of disease tolerance dictating clinical outcomes for several infectious diseases in humans, reveals evidence suggesting a similarly critical role of disease tolerance in the progression of infectious diseases plaguing animal agriculture, and thus substantiates the assertion that exploiting disease tolerance mechanisms can positively impact animal and human health.

Aktivitas Antibakteri Fraksi Aquades, Diklorometana dan N-Heksana Daun Majapahit (Crescentia cujete L.) terhadap Bakteri Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 Secara In-Vitro

Escherichia coli is a gram - negative bacteria which is able to cause infectious diseases in humans, including urina ry tract infections, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. The purpose of this study was to determine the antibacterial activity of the Majapahit leaf fraction and the optimum concentration to inhibit Escherichia coli bacteria. Majapahit leaves were extracted by t he maceration method using 70% ethanol f ollowed by fractionation using aqua dest solvent, dichloromethane, and n - Hexane. Phytochemical screening of Majapahit leaf extract for the content of flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. Antibacterial activity test us ing paper disc diffusion method with positive control of chloramphenicol and negative control of 10% DMSO. The results of phytochemical screening of extracts were positive to flavonoid compounds, alkaloids, and saponins. The results of the antibacterial ac tivity test of the Majapahit leaf fraction had an antibacterial activity which was indicated by the presence of a clear zone around the disc. The aqua dest fraction is the most active fraction that can inhibit Escherichia coli bacteria. Based on the data a nalysis that has been carried out, it can be concluded that the use of different types of solvents did not produce significant differences in inhibiting Escherichia coli bacteria.

Pathology of Infectious Diseases

Part 1 General principles: changing spectrum of human infectious diseases host-parasite interplay role of pathology in diagnosis of infections types of tissue responses to infection microscopic detection of pathogenic organisms. Part 2 Viral infections: viral pathogenesis viral diseases of the digestive system viral skin rashes systemic and hematopoietic viral disorders adult immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) arboviral and zoonotic viral fevers viral encephalitis and myelitis viral myocarditis viral skin growths. Part 3 Chlamydial infections: chlamydial pathogenesis chlamydial diseases. Part 4 Rickettsial infections: rickettsial pathogenesis rickettsial diseases. Part 5 Mycoplasma infections: mycoplasma pathogenesis diseases caused by mycoplasmas. Part 6 Bacterial infections: bacterial pathogenesis diseases caused by pyogenic cocci diseases caused by common gram-negative bacteria bacterial diseases of childhood enteric bacterial diseases clostridial diseases zoonotic bacterial diseases rare gram-negative infections treponemal diseases mycobacterial diseases diseases caused by streptomycetales. Part 7 Fungal and algal infections: fungal pathogenesis superficial mycoses opportunistic mycoses endemic fungal diseases diseases caused by algae (protothecosis). Part 8 Protozoal infections: protozoal pathogenesis diseases caused by luminal protozoa diseases caused by bloodstream protozoa diseases caused by intracellular protozoa. Part 9 Helminthic infections: helminthic pathogenesis diseases caused by tissue nematodes filarial diseases diseases caused by cestodes diseases caused by trematodes. Part 10 Patients at special risk of infection: general risk categories residents and travellers in endemic areas pregnant women and neonates infants and elderly persons the poor, homeless, the addicted patients genetically predisposed immunosuppressed and leukopenic patients AIDS patients. Epilogue: the sience and art of infectious disease medicine.

Prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of human enteric emerging viruses in porcine stool samples in the Republic of Korea.

Emerging infectious diseases (EID) in humans and animals are proving to be a serious health concern. This study investigated the prevalence of emerging or re-emerging human enteric viruses in porcine stools and swabs. Eleven enteric EID viruses were selected as target viruses for the current study and ranked based on their impact on public health and food safety: enterovirus (EV), hepatitis E virus, norovirus GI and GII, sapovirus (SaV), adenovirus (AdV), astrovirus, rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, aichivirus, and bocavirus. Using real-time RT-PCR or real-time PCR, EID viruses were detected in 129 (86.0%) of 150 samples. The most prevalent virus was EV, which was detected in 68.0% of samples, followed by AdV with a detection rate of 38.0%. In following sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, 33.0% (58/176) of the detected viruses were associated with human enteric EID viruses, including AdV-41, coxsackievirus-A2, echovirus-24, and SaV. Our results show that porcine stools frequently contain human enteric viruses, and that few porcine enteric viruses are genetically related to human enteric viruses. These findings suggest that enteric re-emerging or EID viruses could be zoonoses, and that continuous monitoring and further studies are needed to ensure an integrated “One Health” approach that aims to balance and optimize the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems.

Bacterial Metalo-Aminopeptidases as Targets in Human Infectious Diseases.

Human infectious diseases caused by bacteria are a worldwide health problem due to the increased resistance of these microorganisms to conventional antibiotics. For this reason, the identification of novel molecular targets and the discovery of new antibacterial compounds are urgently required. Metalo-aminopeptidases are promising targets in bacterial infections. They participate in crucial processes for bacterial growth and pathogenesis, such as protein and peptide degradation to supply amino acids, protein processing, access to host tissues, cysteine supply for redox control, transcriptional regulation, site-specific DNA recombination, and hydrogen sulfide production. Although several of these enzymes are not essential, they are required for virulence and maximal growth in conditions of nutrient limitation and high temperatures. In this review, we describe the structural, functional, and kinetic properties of some examples of bacterial metalo-aminopeptidases, in the context of their use as antibacterial targets. In addition, we present some inhibitors reported for these enzymes. It is necessary to conduct a meticulous work to validate these peptidases as good/bad targets and to identify inhibitors with potential therapeutic use.

Age-dependent virulence of human pathogens.

Host age is often evoked as an intrinsic factor aggravating the outcome of host-pathogen interactions. However, the shape of the relationship between age and infection-induced mortality might differ among pathogens, with specific clinical and ecological traits making some pathogens more likely to exert higher mortality in older hosts. Here, we used a large dataset on age-specific case fatality rate (CFR) of 28 human infectious diseases to investigate i) whether age is consistently associated to increased CFR, ii) whether pathogen characteristics might explain higher CFR in older adults. We found that, for most of the infectious diseases considered here, CFR slightly decreased during the first years of life and then steeply increased in older adults. Pathogens inducing diseases with long-lasting symptoms had the steepest increase of age-dependent CFR. Similarly, bacterial diseases and emerging viruses were associated with increasing mortality risk in the oldest age classes. On the contrary, we did not find evidence suggesting that systemic infections have steeper slopes between CFR and age; similarly, the relationship between age and CFR did not differ according to the pathogen transmission mode. Overall, our analysis shows that age is a key trait affecting infection-induced mortality rate in humans, and that the extent of the aggravating effect on older adults depends on some key traits, such as the duration of illness.

СПОСОБЫ ПРОГНОЗИРОВАНИЯ ВРЕМЕНИ ВЕРОЯТНЫХ ОСТРЫХ ИНФЕКЦИОННЫХ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЙ

Abstract. The purpose of the research is to determine with high accuracy the frequency of occurrence of infections and its use for forecasting. According to the dates of pathologies suffered by a person, the frequency of diseases of 2400 parents and children, men and women, was determined. To improve the accuracy of determining the frequency of diseases, astronomical units for fixing the time of occurrence of pathologies were used: 4 phases of the moon, 4 components of the declination of the moon, day. The hereditary periodicity of diseases (hereditary frequency of diseases) was revealed, which manifests itself in graphical and digital forms. hereditary frequency of diseases was used to predict the time of probable acute infectious diseases and their complications. The purpose of forecasting is timely prevention. 6 forecasting methods have been developed, 2 computer programs have been created in which 5 coordinate systems are used, more than 1600 computer forecasts have been made. With an error of + 1-4 days, 50% - 62% of diseases of children, women and men who fell ill on average 3 times a year and more often are predicted. In 2014, an application for invention No. 2014116101 “Method for simultaneous prediction of the time of probable acute human infectious diseases and the optimal date of vaccination” was registered. The conclusion of Rospatent experts: “. the invention can be implemented”, but “. practical applicability has not been confirmed”. Verification of the invention and its practical use proved to be an insoluble problem. Forecasts of the time of probable diseases are “warning signs” on our life path, allowing us to get sick less and live longer.

Reservoir population ecology, viral evolution and the risk of emerging infectious disease.

The ecology and life history of wild animals influences their potential to harbour infectious disease. This observation has motivated studies identifying empirical relationships between traits of wild animals and historical patterns of spillover and emergence into humans. Although these studies have identified compelling broad-scale patterns, they are generally agnostic with respect to underlying mechanisms. Here, we develop mathematical models that couple reservoir population ecology with viral epidemiology and evolution to clarify existing verbal arguments and pinpoint the conditions that favour spillover and emergence. Our results support the idea that average lifespan influences the likelihood of an animal serving as a reservoir for human infectious disease. At the same time, however, our results show that the magnitude of this effect is sensitive to the rate of viral mutation. Our results also demonstrate that viral pathogens causing persistent infections or a transient immune response within the reservoir are more likely to fuel emergence. Genetically explicit stochastic simulations enrich these mathematical results by identifying relationships between the genetic basis of transmission and the risk of spillover and emergence. Together, our results clarify the scope of applicability for existing hypotheses and refine our understanding of emergence risk.

Zoonoses—Diseases Naturally Transmitted From Animals to Humans

Diseases that are naturally transmitted from animals to humans are called zoonoses or zoonotic diseases. More than 70% of all human infectious diseases came from animals, including Ebola, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS), avian influenza and Monkeypox. The COVID-19 pandemic is also a novel zoonosis, caused by a coronavirus that probably came from bats. Zoonoses can happen any time humans come into contact with animals or animal products. Children, people with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions, and pregnant women are at higher risk of contracting zoonoses. Zoonoses are widespread—not only in forests and wild environments but also in urban areas. This article includes background information on zoonoses and how they move into humans. It also provides helpful tips to avoid infection with these diseases. Finally, it discusses the importance of preventing disease in animals, so that animal diseases are not transmitted to humans.