Zoonotic Sheep and Goat Diseases

Last Modified: January 15, 2025
sheep in a livestock pen next to a caretaker who is patting one of them on the head

Some sheep and goat diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can cause infection in people. Animal caretakers, veterinarians, slaughter plant workers, and farm personnel are all at a greater risk. Diseases can also be carried from the farm to your household without proper biosecurity. Below is a condensed list of these diseases, grouped by common routes for human infection. 

List of Diseases and Common Routes for Human Infection

For more details, view our explanation of terms and click on the disease names in the left-hand column. You can also download this list as a full-color handout (175.66 KB).

 

Direct Contact 

Fomites

Airborne

Ingestion 

Vector

Fecal-Oral 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report Signs of Disease

Many of these diseases, whether in animals or people, are reportable to State and Federal authorities. Contact your State veterinarian or your State/local health department for information about disease reporting requirements in animals or people.
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