from the Ohio State University
Pets do so much good for our mental,
physical and emotional health, but they can
also transmit diseases to us. In saying
that, Jason Stull, assistant professor at Ohio
State University has compiled information
from more than five hundred studies
worldwide to make recommendations to
minimize risk of disease transmission. The
review, in The Canadian Medical Association
Journal, notes there are nearly twenty
different diseases people most commonly
get from pets. People with impaired
immune systems may benefit most from
the companionship of a pet, but also may
be at greater risk. Stull recommends
proper hand washing after pet contact,
discourage pets from face licking, locating
litter boxes away from areas where food is
prepared and covering playground boxes
when not in use.