Animal Health & Diseases : University of Guelph : Ontario Veterinary College : Zoonotic Diseases : Guelph, Hamilton, Ontario

Worms & Germs Blog is a joint venture of the Ontario Veterinary College's Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses and the City of Hamilton Public Health Department.  It is coordinated by Drs. Scott Weese and Maureen Anderson with the assistance of veterinarians, physicians, public health personnel and researchers.

The focus of this site is zoonotic diseases - diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people, particularly those involving companion animals (dogs, cats, horses, pocket pets and various other household critters). In reality, we take a broader approach, considering diseases that can be spread from animals to people AND from people to animals.

Zoonotic diseases have been recognized for centuries but we’ve often neglected to consider the role of pets, the animals most people have the closest contact with. That’s why we’ve created this blog, and the associated Worms & Germs Resources page. There, you’ll find information sheets about safe pet ownership and zoonotic disease topics. The sheets are reviewed by professionals from the veterinary, medical and public health fields to provide the most up-to-date information possible.  Some information sheets are still in development and there will be many more posted soon.