Zoonosis | German Center for Infection Research

Short description

A zoonosis is an infectious disease caused by a pathogen that can be naturally transmitted between vertebrates and humans.

Detailed description

Zoonoses can be caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and prions. Transmission can occur directly through contact with infected animals, through animal-derived foods, or indirectly through vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks. In some zoonoses, transmission occurs primarily from animals to humans, while in others, transmission from humans to animals is also possible. Well-known examples of zoonoses include rabies, the plague, toxoplasmosis, and certain forms of influenza.

Christian Drosten Talk at ESCMID ANRS-DZIF Symposium

ANRS MIE & DZIF Joint Symposium at ESCMID Global 2026

On the occasion of ESCMID Global 2026, ANRS MIE and the DZIF organized a joint symposium dedicated to the future of West Nile virus (WNV) research in Europe.

The scientific organizers included Marylyn

Hepatitis E virus defies alcohol-based hand disinfectants

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause serious liver inflammation and is the most common cause of acute virus-mediated hepatitis worldwide. Infection can be prevented through appropriate hygiene measures

2019 DZIF Prizes for Translational Infection Research awarded

Gülşah Gabriel and Stefan Niemann impressed the judges with their scientific work: The German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) is awarding them both a translational infection research prize worth

Highly virulent Listeriosis pathogen discovered

An international team of researchers identifies the genetic basis for the hypervirulence of a Listeria strain that can cause severe infections. The work was coordinated by scientists at the Justus

Virus detection and preparedness

The working group is responsible for projects aimed at the detection, occurrence and description of emerging viruses. To accomplish this task, the scientists are collecting samples of potential virus carriers, such as game, farm and domestic animals, thereby building up a comprehensive database ...