Pre-Vet Club members learn about zoonotic diseases

By Natalie Ross

The Georgia College & State University Pre-Veterinary Club members learned about common zoonotic diseases, illnesses that are transmitted from animals to humans, during its October meeting. 

Mallory Berger, a GC junior and club social media chair, led the meeting and explained to members the importance of having knowledge of zoonotic diseases. 

“A zoonotic disease is an infection or disease that is transmissible from animals to humans under natural conditions,” Berger said.

Her presentation covered several examples including rabies, bird flu, salmonella and Lyme disease. For each disease Berger talked about, she included reference to its terms of transmission, key symptoms, testing and treatment. 

Berger said during her presentation, rabies are transmitted mainly through bites from infected animals; rabies causes flu-like symptoms that can progress to severe neurological issues. She added, rabies are nearly always fatal without treatment but preventable with early vaccination and post-exposure shots.

For Bird Flu (HPAI), Berger said the disease is a highly infectious viral disease affecting poultry and other animals. It can cause flu-like symptoms, she said, and, in birds, it can cause sudden death and reduced egg production.

Berger also talked about salmonella, a bacterial infection often caused by consuming contaminated meat, eggs or unpasteurized dairy. She said both humans and pets can experience diarrhea, vomiting and fever but typically recover with rest and fluids.

At the end of the presenter, Berger talked about Lyme disease, which is spread by tick bites and is a bacterial infection that often leads to rashes, fever, swollen joints and neurological issues if left untreated.

Berger said the key to surviving these diseases is preventative care, including getting vaccinations, tick control and maintaining proper hygiene. 

“I’ve learned that it’s not as simple as it seems,” Stormy Preva, a GC senior following Berger’s presentation. 

Preva said she aspired to be a veterinarian because of the work they do for other living things. 

“Veterinarians are real doctors — just like human doctors — and the profession requires so much passion and perseverance that people often don’t see,” Preva said. 

In addition to learning about diseases, group members also learned about the club’s next  volunteer opportunity – working with therapeutic horses. Group members are invited to volunteer Nov. 8 at Therapeutic Horse Ranch, a non-profit organization that rescues horses and provides an opportunity for children with physical and intellectual disabilities to interact with animals. Members will meet early in the morning and carpool to the ranch.

“It’s a great opportunity for exposure to different animals and people you’ll encounter as a future vet,” Berger said. 

For more information about the club or the upcoming volunteer experience, follow the Pre-Vet Club’s Instagram on @gcsu.prevet.