Zoonotic diseases  Zoonoses are infections or diseases that can
be transmitted directly or indirectly between animals and
humans, for instance by consuming contaminated foodstuffs or
through contact with infected animals. The severity of these
diseases in humans varies from mild symptoms to life-threatening
conditions.  Research indicates that between one third and one
half of all human infectious diseases have a zoonotic origin,
that is, are transmitted from animals. About 75% of the new
diseases that have affected humans over the past 10 years (such
as the West Nile Virus) have originated from animals or products
of animal origin.  Zoonoses are transmissible between animals
and humans in a variety of ways and an infection can also often
be transmitted through multiple ways:  Food-borne zoonotic
diseases    • Food-borne zoonotic pathogens are transmitted
through consumption of contaminated food or drinking water.
Infectious agents in foodstuffs include bacteria such as
Salmonella and Campylobacter, viruses s