The deleterious effects of dogs on human health: 2. Canine zoonoses

As part of a general review of the epidemiology and control of human health hazards connected with dogs, the distribution and behaviour in dogs and humans of the canine infections and infestations that are actual or potential causes of human disease have been examined. In England and Wales, it is estimated that dogs may be responsible each year for the onset in humans of approximately 31000 episodes of wound sepsis involving Pasteurella multocida, 16000 Toxocara infestations, 13000 enteritis episodes (mainly involving Campylobacter) and 9000 episodes of ringworm, as well as an indeterminate number of anthropod infestations. Much less human disease of other kinds seems to be acquired from dogs.