Information about diseases transmitted through animals.
- Avian Influenza (H5N1) “bird flu”
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a contagious viral infection that affects birds and less commonly pigs. Rarely does human infection with H5N1 occur. - Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Once symptoms develop it is fatal. - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
For most Canadians, the risk of getting SARS is very low. People affected by SARS develop a fever, followed by respiratory symptoms, such as a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. - Simian Herpes B Virus
Simian herpes B virus is carried by Old World monkeys of the genus Macaca. Rhesus and Cynomolgus monkeys in India, and the Japanese Macaca in South East Asia are well known carriers of the B virus. - Snakes
The risk for a snake bite to travellers is low. Most types of snakes are out during the night in rural areas and normally attack only if they feel threatened. Even if a traveller is bitten by a snake, chances of the snake being poisonous are small.
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