You have access to some of the region’s foremost zoonotic disease experts. Our specialists completed the highest level of infectious disease training (fellowships) and are advancing the field through research. Their depth of experience helps you receive the highest level of care.

UC Davis Health is among a select few programs partnering with a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research center to study wildlife zoonoses. Infectious disease researchers are working to detect flu strains with pandemic potential and reduce the likelihood of a worldwide outbreak.

Primary care providers are often your first stop for signs of zoonotic infection, such as flu-like symptoms and severe diarrhea. Many UC Davis Health primary care providers offer same-day appointments. They coordinate additional services with infectious disease specialists if you have a rare or difficult-to-treat diagnosis.

Avian influenza causes symptoms similar to seasonal flu, except it spreads through contact with an infected bird. The condition is treatable with antiviral medications.

This infection spreads through tick bites. It can cause rash, and less commonly joint inflammation, facial droop, meningitis, or heart problems. Early treatment can lower your risk of these issues.

Rabies is a rare, often fatal condition that spreads through animal bites. It can cause seizures, hallucinations, rapid breathing (hyperventilation) and paralysis. If you have possibly been exposed to the rabies virus (such as through an animal or bat bite), you may be able to prevent infection by immediately getting post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with rabies vaccines and antibodies.

Food or water with animal feces or urine can make you sick. The same is true of some animal-based food products such as undercooked meat and unpasteurized milk.

Coming into contact with an animal’s body fluids (saliva, urine, feces, birthing fluids, and mucus) can spread disease. You can also catch germs from bites and scratches.

Handling an animal’s living environment exposes you to its germs. This may involve changing a cat’s litter, cleaning a chicken coup, putting food or water in a dog bowl or giving a horse hay.