Dogs
You are unlikely to get ill from touching or owning a dog. However, to best protect yourself against germs that dogs may carry you should wash your hands after contact with dogs, dog saliva or dog faeces.
Here are links to dog-related diseases, not all the diseases are associated with Ireland and you should take care when handling animals abroad:
Brucellosis - A bacterial disease rarely associated with dogs
Campylobacter - A bacterial disease associated with dogs, cats, poultry and farm animals
Cryptosporidiosis - A parasitic disease associated with dogs, especially puppies, cats and farm animals
Dipylidium Infection (tapeworm) - A parasitic disease associated with dogs, cats and fleas.
Giardiasis - A parasitic disease associated with various animals, including dogs and their environment (including water)
Hookworm Infection - A parasitic disease associated with dogs and cats
Leishmaniasis - A parasitic disease associated with dogs and sand flies (not in Ireland)
Leptospirosis - A bacterial disease associated with wild and domestic animals, including dogs
Lyme Disease - A bacterial disease that can affect dogs and ticks
Q Fever - A bacterial disease associated with goats and occasionally dogs
Rabies - A viral disease associated with various animals, including dogs. Ireland is officially rabies free.
Ringworm - A fungal disease associated with dogs
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - A bacterial disease associated with dogs and ticks (not in Ireland)
Salmonellosis - A bacterial disease associated with birds, reptiles and various mammals including dogs
Tetanus - A bacterial disease that can be a result of bites or puncture wounds.
Toxocara Infection - A parasitic disease associated with dogs and cats and their environment
Last updated: 22 January 2019