Contaminated by an unusual pet(2)

The pathogen of Q fever can also be used to produce biological weapons, according to the same report.

"Humans are very vulnerable to Q fever," said Zhang Zhaoping, deputy director of animal and plant quarantine supervision at the bureau in comments made in the report. "Transmission can occur by inhaling the infectious air and dust, as well as from contact with waste from the infected animal."

Xiao said that after hearing news about alpacas being potential carriers for Q fever, she stopped touching them, although she has no reason to believe the alpacas bought by her boss are infected.

Planet of the apes

After watching Hollywood blockbuster Rise of the Apes earlier this year, 28-year-old Fang Di had the idea of owning an ape as a pet.

"[In the film], there is a little baby ape, which is so small and cute," she said. "It's curious about humans and is just like a human baby, which made me think about having one as a pet."

It is illegal in China to keep primate animals as pets without special authorization due to the fact that they are nationally protected animals. However, this did not dissuade Fang.

She said it was not difficult for her to find people who were willing to sell primates on the black market.

"I joined an online QQ group and found a number of sellers. They were offering mainly two kinds - Lazy Loris [Loris tardigradus] and Japanese pocket-size monkey [Macaca fuscata]," said Fang. "They told me the prices were around 20,000 yuan. It's a little expensive, so I am still hesitating."

In an interview with the Western China Metropolis in August, Zhang Jinshuo, a zoologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that primate species were not suited to being kept as pets, and could pose a serious danger to their owners. Speaking about Japanese pocket-size monkeys, he said that many of the ones being sold actually belonged to the rhesus macaque (macaca mulatta) species, and can grow to a size of between 25 kilograms and 30 kilograms.

He said that during the breeding period of the animal, they could become extremely aggressive.

There was also the issue of the diseases that primates, especially those that are obtained and sold illegally, could transmit to their owners.

"Many primate animals carry dangerous viral diseases, such as rabies," said Zhang in the report. "They can also carry herpes, which can be transmitted from the animal to a human."

People who had been scratched or bitten by primate animals carrying such diseases are at risk of becoming infected, said Zhang.

Keeping one's guard

Media reports have noted that snakes, lizards, tortoises, rare fish, rodents, rabbits and birds are also becoming popular choices for pets.

In a report published on the website news.qq.com in August, a staff member at the pet injury treatment center at Beijing 304 Hospital surnamed He advised that many of these animals, especially if captured in the wild, can carry bacterial and parasitical diseases that can induce hepatitis, as well as a number of skin diseases and respiratory diseases in humans. These diseases can be transmitted through cleaning the tank or cage in which the animals are kept, or through being bitten by the animals, said He.

In the case of birds, certain bacteria like chlamydia psittaci, can be transmitted through the air as well as through contact with animals, said He. The bacteria can cause flu-like symptoms in humans. If left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening pneumonia.

Cai Haodong, an infectious disease specialist at Beijing Ditan Hospital, said in a Beijing Sci-Tech report that in order to avoid contracting diseases from pets, including dogs and cats, constant vigilance was required.

He said that people should abide by the law and not procure pets illegally. In addition, pet hygiene was crucial. The pets' cage or nest should be cleaned frequently, and pet owners should avoid directly touching animal waste.

Cai said that regular health examinations for the pets should be carried out, with vaccinations given when necessary.

He also had a few basic rules for pet owners to follow.

"Pet owners shouldn't allow their pets to share their bed, hold their pets cheek to cheek, or kiss their pets on the mouth," said Cai. "They shouldn't let animals lick any wounds they have, either."

"Never eat at the same time when you're cleaning your pet, and don't put pet toys or other objects near food and drinking water," Cai advised. "Pet owners should also wash their hands with sanitizer each time after touching their pets."