Infectious Diseases

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COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

COVID-19, a highly infectitious respiratory disease in humans, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus probably emerged from an animal source in Wuhan (China) and spreaded globaly from person to person. Most people infected with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of cough, fever, and shortness of breath. In some cases, patients had pneumonia in both lungs, multi-organ failure, and even death. The World Health Organization (WHO), on March 11, 2020, declared the novel COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. [NALT]

Pathogens

Microorganisms, viruses and parasites that can cause disease.

Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases

Disease Vectors: Invertebrates or non-human vertebrates which transmit infective organisms from one host to another.

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Publications

Clostridium difficile: An Important Opportunistic Pathogen in Healthcare-Associated Infections

Soohyoun Ahn and Amarat H. Simonne

Healthcare-associated infections are infections that patients can get while receiving medical treatment in a healthcare facility. One opportunistic pathogen, Clostridium difficile, has been getting more attention in recent years because of its association with antibiotic use and a high death rate among the elderly. This factsheet provides an overview of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) with a focus on healthcare-associated infections.

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Rabies

Samantha M. Wisely and Holly K. Ober

Equine Coronavirus: An Infectious Disease Affecting Florida Horses

Sally DeNotta and Linda Mittel

This publication provides an overview of equine coronavirus and discusses prevalence, transmission, clinical disease, diagnostic sampling, testing, and handling, treatment, prognosis, prevention and biosecurity, and potential for transmission to other species. Written by Sally DeNotta and Linda Mittel, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine—Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, January 2023.

Rat Lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Chen, 1935) (Nematoda: Strongylida: Metastrongylida)

John Capinera and Heather S. Walden

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

Protecting Florida Horses through Vaccination

Sally DeNotta

Routine vaccination is a critical component of developing a preventative health program for horses. This publication discusses infectious diseases that can be prevented through vaccination and answers questions about equine vaccination. Written by Sally DeNotta, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine—Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, January 2023.

Chagas Disease: A Review of Vector-Borne Transmission by Triatomine Bugs (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

Bethany R. Eutsey, Cameron J. Jack, Shelley A. Whitehead, and Eva A. Buckner

Chagas disease is a potentially fatal, chronic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite. It causes 6 to 8 million cases and 50,000 deaths each year. Humans and animals usually become infected with T. cruzi via triatomine bugs, also called kissing or conenose bugs, found only in the Americas. Disease transmitted by triatomine bugs generally occurs in rural areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America, but it is becoming more prevalent in non-endemic areas like the US as asymptomatic infected people move from rural to urban areas of Latin America and other regions. In the US, approximately 300,000 people are currently infected with Chagas disease, 18,000 in Florida. Most if not all of them were infected elsewhere; local transmission of Chagas disease via triatomines in the US is rare. Awareness and understanding of Chagas disease are critical to detect and treat cases early. This publication is intended for anyone interested in learning more about Chagas disease.

Besnoitiosis in Donkeys in the United States