Zoonotic diseases of potential concern among alpacas

Abstract

The aim of the present article is to describe the specific nature of the zoonoses associated with alpacas.Of the potential zoonoses, it is known that tuberculosis (TB), cryptosporidiosis and dermal mite have been transmitted to humans. In addition, associations have been noted between the South American Camelids (SAC) and Escherichia coli human verocytotoxigenic infections (VTECs). The zoonotic potential of TB in camelids primarily poses a threat to veterinarians and owners, it can also be transmitted to the rest of society, as although only a limited number of camelids enter the food chain, alpacas are a very popular in public shows, exhibitions and festivals. Such close contact offers many opportunities to infect humans or other farm animals. The authors presented the potential routes of infection and discussed the clinical symptoms of individual zoonoses in both alpacas and humans.