Assessing Client Risk for Zoonotic Disease- Questions to Ask

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?