Pet waste has three times more pathogens (bacteria, parasites, and viruses) in it than human waste. These pathogens can cause diseases in humans and animals.
A few of these pathogens and their impacts on humans are listed below:
- Salmonellosis – the most common bacterial infection transmitted to humans by other animals. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Campylobacteriosis – causes diarrhea
- Cryptosporidium – a parasite carried by dogs, cats, and calves
- Toxocariosis – roundworms transmitted from dogs to humans often without noticeable symptoms, but may cause vision loss, a rash, fever or cough
