Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that can pass from animals to humans. Seventy-five per cent of new human diseases are zoonotic.

Some zoonotic diseases, such as Hydatids, Anthrax , Hendra virus infection, Avian influenza or Rabies can be very serious in humans and may cause fatalities.

It is important that people who handle or treat animals are aware of the risk of zoonotic diseases.

It is not possible to eliminate all risks associated with zoonotic diseases. However, people can take steps to reduce the likelihood of getting a zoonotic disease. Examples include avoid or minimise contact with potentially infective animals or use personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling infected animals or their products.

• NSW Health Factsheets
• NSW Health Zoonoses Annual Reports
• Guidelines for veterinary personal biosecurity (includes a list of zoonoses in Appendix 2)

• Anthrax
• Australian bat lyssavirus and other bat health risks
• Avian influenza
• Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or ‘mad cow disease’)
• Brucellosis (Brucella suis) in dogs
• Brucellosis in pigs
• Cryptosporidiosis
• Cysticercus bovis (formerly known as Beef Measles) 
• Ehrlichia canis
• Giardiasis
• Hendra virus
• Hydatids - the basics
• Hydatids - you, too, can be affected
• Leishmaniasis
• Leishmaniasis in dogs: Information for veterinarians
• Leptospirosis in cattle herds
• Listeriosis
• Liver fluke - the basics
• Psittacosis
• Q fever
• Salmonella
• Tetanus
• Tularaemia