Classification of zoonoses

More than 300 zoonoses of diverse etiologies are recognized. Thus, a very large number of zoonoses call for classification, especially for teaching purposes.

Classification according to etiological agents

• Bacterial zoonoses e.g., anthrax, brucellosis, plague, salmonellosis, etc.
• Viral zoonoses e.g., rabies, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, etc.
• Rikettsial zoonoses e.g., Q-fever, typhus fever, etc.
• Fungal zoonoses e.g., cryptococcosis, candidiasis, ringworms, etc.
• Protozoal zoonoses e.g., toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis, trypanomiasis, etc.
• Helminthic zoonoses e.g., echinococcosis (hydatid disease), taeniasis, guineaworm infection, etc.
•  Ectoparasitic zoonoses  e.g., scabies, myiasis, etc.
• Zoonoses caused by unconventional agents (Prions) e.g., transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (TSE, Mad cow disease), etc.