A disease that can pass from animals to humans, including foodborne infections spread through contaminated meat, eggs, dairy or produce.
Zoonotic describes a disease that can pass between animals and humans. A zoonosis can spread through direct animal contact, the environment, or food such as contaminated meat, eggs or dairy.
Many common ones are, including Salmonella and Campylobacter from poultry and livestock, some E. coli strains linked to cattle, and Listeria that can contaminate animal-derived foods.
Usually through raw meat, poultry, eggs, unpasteurised milk and dairy, or produce contaminated by animal faeces or dirty water. Animals often carry the germs without appearing sick.
Cook meat, poultry and eggs thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food, wash hands after handling raw animal products, use pasteurised dairy, and source from reputable suppliers.
Yes. Livestock and poultry frequently carry zoonotic bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter without showing any signs of disease, which is why food controls assume raw animal products may be contaminated.