The CALLISTO network publishes final Zoonoses Report on Companian animals

The Final Report of the EU Framework 7-funded CALLISTO project is published. It summarises findings of the CALLISTO (Companion Animal multisectoriaL interprofessionaL and interdisciplinary Strategic Think tank On zoonoses) team on risks that consumers contract zoonoses from companion animals.

The  main companian animals considered in the study were dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, reptiles, birds and ornamental fish.

The voluminous report, as well as the previous so-called 1st, 2nd, and 3rd –cycle reports list 15 zoonoses that are considered most important:  for viral pathogens: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, West-Nile virus, Rabies virus and . As parasitic pathogens: Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, Leishmania infantum, Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia species and Toxocara canis/cati. As bacterial pathogens: Campylobacter jejuni; Leptospira interrogans sensu lato, Salmonella enterica, Bartonella henselae, and Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms Bite wound infections are also included in the priority list, and Foot-and-mouth disease virus and Bluetongue virus, both non-zoonotic, were also prioritised.

The report makes important recommendations for limiting risks.

The report can be downloaded HERE.