Lyme Disease: Transmitted by black-legged ticks (deer ticks), it can cause fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash. If left untreated, it can affect the joints, heart, and nervous system.
Rabies: A viral disease transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, commonly bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. It affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear
West Nile Virus: Spread by mosquitoes, it can lead to fever, headaches, body aches, and in severe cases, neurological issues such as encephalitis or meningitis
Hantavirus: Contracted through contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, particularly deer mice. It can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Transmitted by ticks, particularly the American dog tick, it can cause fever, rash, headache, and muscle pain. Severe cases can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Plague: Carried by fleas that infest rodents, particularly in the southwestern United States. It can cause severe illness, including bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague.
Toxoplasmosis: Caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is often spread through contact with cat feces or undercooked contaminated meat.
Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection spread through the urine of infected animals, often rats. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, muscle pain, and jaundice, and can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress.
Salmonellosis: Caused by Salmonella bacteria, often transmitted through contact with infected animals such as reptiles, amphibians, and poultry, or contaminated food. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.