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Public Health & Epidemiology vocabulary · Outbreaks and Transmission

Zoonosis

Meaning in public health & epidemiology, with examples

/ˌzəʊəˈnəʊsɪs/nounCommon term

In public health & epidemiology, zoonosis means: An infectious disease that passes from animals to humans, such as rabies, brucellosis or avian influenza.

In Turkish: zoonoz, hayvanlardan insanlara bulaşan hastalık

How it is used

The plural is zoonoses and the adjective is zoonotic. Most new infectious diseases are zoonotic, which is why human, animal and environmental health are increasingly managed together under the One Health approach.

Example sentences

  1. Brucellosis is a zoonosis often linked to unpasteurised milk and cheese.

  2. Veterinary and human health services should share data on emerging zoonoses.

Common collocations

  • zoonotic disease
  • zoonotic spillover
  • emerging zoonoses
  • zoonotic transmission
  • One HealthAn approach that recognises that the health of people, animals and the environment is closely connected and brings these sectors together to prevent and control health threats.
  • vectorA living creature, such as a mosquito, tick or sandfly, that carries an infection from one person or animal to another.
  • communicable diseaseAn illness caused by a microorganism, such as a virus, bacterium or parasite, that can pass from one person or animal to another.
  • transmissionThe passing of an infection from one person, animal or source to another, for example through the air, by touch, through food and water or by insects.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Outbreaks and Transmission

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.