Assessing Client Risk for Zoonotic Disease- Questions to Ask

ArticleLast Updated April 20082 min readPeer Reviewed
  • Which species of pets reside in your home (eg, cats, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, amphibians, birds)?

  • Do you have contact with large-animal species, such as horses, cattle, sheep, or goats?

  • Does anyone with an immature or weakened immune system live in your home?

  • Very young children or an elderly person?

  • Anyone receiving chemotherapy for cancer?

  • Anyone receiving immunosuppressants for immune-mediated diseases or organ transplantation?

  • Anyone who has undergone splenectomy?

  • Anyone with HIV/AIDS?

  • Is your pet's rabies vaccination current?

  • Do you routinely wash your hands after handling your pets?

  • Regarding deworming of pets:

  • Are your pets routinely dewormed? 

  • Do you purchase your own deworming products for your pets? 

  • If so, which products have been used for deworming your pets?

  • Do you use topical medication to control ticks and fleas on your pets?

  • Do you routinely collect and dispose of animal waste that is found in your yard?

  • If so, who in your house does so?

  • Do your pets ever come in contact with other species through predatory behavior or wandering (eg, feral cats, raccoons)?

  • Do you ever travel and take your pets with you?

  • Do you use topical mosquito repellants on yourself when outdoors?

  • Do you garden? If so, do you wear gloves when gardening?

  • Do children's sandboxes remain covered when not in use?

  • Regarding animal bites to humans:

  • Does an animal with aggressive or unpredictable temperament live in your home? 

  • Has this animal ever bitten anyone? 

  • Do you routinely wash your skin after any bites or scratches?

  • Are you aware of the need to contact your physician following an animal bite?

  • Regarding raw meat:

  • Do you ever feed your pet raw meat?

  • Do you handle raw meat without gloves (including hunters who dress a carcass in the field)?

  • Do you thoroughly disinfect kitchen cutting boards following contact with raw meat? 

  • Regarding cat litter boxes:

  • Do you wear gloves when cleaning the box?

  • Do you clean the box daily?

  • Do you dispose of the waste material in a closed container?

  • Are any of your pets involved in "human-animal bond" or animal-assisted therapies, such as visits to nursing homes?