Abstract
The 2019 edition of the AAFP Feline Zoonoses Guidelines are presented on pages 1008–1021 of this issue of JFMS. 1 This version of the Guidelines is an update to the earlier document published in this journal in 2005. 2 In addition, the Guidelines update the Bartonella species Panel Report published in 2006. 3
The 2019 Advisory Panel (see box below) was composed of a companion animal infectious disease specialist (ML), two physicians (CG and PK, with CG also being a DVM) and a knowledgeable group of feline specialists interested in the topic. We believe this Guidelines article is an excellent example of the One Health concept in action. In fact, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA; wsava.org) One Health Committee reviewed the Guidelines, and both this committee and the executive board of WSAVA voted to endorse them. The ISFM (icatcare.org/vets) also endorsed the Guidelines, and, in addition, we were fortunate to have members of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (capcvet.org) review them.
In these 2019 AAFP Feline Zoonoses Guidelines, we discuss the most common zoonotic infections of cats and the classic clinical signs of disease, incorporating findings from the research published since the original 2005 version. Highlights of the 2019 Guidelines include the 21 ‘Panelists’ advice’ statements about feline zoonotic diseases, as well as our general guidelines box (page 1016) for veterinary staff members and cat owners, which details how to lessen zoonotic transfer of infections between cats and the people who interact with them. If the recommendations provided are followed, the odds of acquiring an infection from your own cats are quite unlikely, and the Guidelines also emphasize the fact that cat ownership can have health benefits.
A client brochure (pictured), which can be downloaded from the JFMS (jfms.com) and AAFP (catvets.com/client-brochures) websites, accompanies the Guidelines. We hope this, and the Guidelines, are of benefit to your practice, and I look forward to receiving your comments as Chair of the Advisory Panel.