Human being can become very sick from contact with sick animals. Animals can carry many germs or illnesses that can cause many different types of illnesses in people and animals, ranging from mild to serious illness and even death. These illnesses are known as Zoonotic Diseases or zoonoses and can include harmful germs like viruses, bacterial, parasites, and fungi. The CDC, or Center for Disease Control, states that Zoonotic diseases are very common, both in the United States and around the world. Scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and 3 out of every 4 new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals.
Because of the close connection between people and animals, it’s important to be aware of the common ways people can get infected with germs that can cause zoonotic diseases. These can include:

• Direct contact: Coming into contact with the saliva, blood, urine, mucous, feces, or other body fluids of an infected animal. Examples include petting or touching animals, and bites or scratches.
• Indirect contact: Coming into contact with areas where animals live and roam, or objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with germs. Examples include aquarium tank water, pet habitats, chicken coops, barns, plants, and soil, as well as pet food and water dishes.
• Vector-borne: Being bitten by a tick, or an insect like a mosquito or a flea.
• Foodborne: Each year, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food. Eating or drinking something unsafe, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, undercooked meat or eggs, or raw fruits and vegetables that are contaminated with feces from an infected animal. Contaminated food can cause illness in people and animals, including pets.
• Waterborne: Drinking or coming in contact with water that has been contaminated with feces from an infected animal.

Throughout history many of these Zoonotic diseases have caused worldwide pandemics, including Bubonic Plague, West Nile virus and, more recently, emerging coronaviruses (e.g. severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome). Less common diseases include Rabies, Brucellosis, Lyme Disease and Salmonellosis.
 
The best defense against these diseases is avoidance and cleanliness. The CDC recommends these guidelines:

• Keep hands clean. Washing your hands right after being around animals, even if you didn’t touch any animals, is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
  • Always wash your hands after being around animals, even if you didn’t touch the animals.
  • Many germs are spread by not washing hands properly with soap and clean, running water.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Because hand sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water if they are available.
• Know the simple things you can do to stay safe around your pets.
• Prevent bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.
• Learn more about ways to handle food safely—whether it’s for yourself or your family, your pet, or other animals.
• Be aware of zoonotic diseases both at home, away from home (such as at petting zoos or other animal exhibits), in childcare settings or schools and when you travel.
• Avoid bites and scratches from animals.

Our licensed inspectors know the importance of making sure your home or building is free of pests, and we will report any obvious signs of infestation. It is important to clean any droppings from pests and ensure that any pathways into the structure are sealed to ensure that animals or insects can’t easily gain access to your home.

The hollow cores of concrete blocks allow an easy path for insects to reach the the wooden sole plate at the bases of walls and floors and begin feasting away.

A better method of building the foundation is to have at least the top course of block to be of solid or “termite” blocks. Sometimes, even many years ago, many higher quality builders additionally capped this top course of concrete block with a metal “termite” shield – copper being one of the best and longest lasting materials. This shield is typically a little wider than the block and the overhangs are bent downward to become an inedible and troublesome mechanical obstacle to insects.

The wood frame garage in this picture was built on a foundation made entirely of hollow core concrete blocks. An expensive repair was required which involved cutting out and replacing large wall areas, a section at a time. At the same time the foundation was "upgraded" -- some of the concrete blocks were replaced with solid block and some hollow blocks were filled with a mortar grout. The photo was taken at an early stage of repair and shows the insect tunneling in the wooden sole plate.

The homeowner had purchased the house about 15 years earlier without the advantage of a thorough pre-purchase buyer's home inspection.