ABSTRACT
This chapter covers zoonotic diseases that have been (or could be) associated with negative pregnancy outcomes in humans. A discussion of the increased susceptibility to infectious disease during pregnancy is included. There is also concern that not all veterinary professionals are aware of the modes of transmission of some infectious diseases, and that some forgo personal protective equipment due to inconvenience. For each disease, the typical animal species, signs of disease in animals, method of transmission to humans, potential effects on pregnancy, and recommended preventive measures are included. Diseases included are toxoplasmosis, listeriosis, psittacosis, brucellosis, Q fever, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, leptospirosis, swine influenza, avian influenza, and COVID-19 (risks of human-to-human transmission are discussed). A practice profile details a veterinarian's experience with exposure to leptospirosis during her pregnancy.
