New Delhi, India

Who doesn't want to cuddle with their pets? These furry four-legged friends are so cute. You can love them all you want, but kissing them should be off-limits. 

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A recent survey showed that 69 per cent of Australian homes have at least one pet, putting pet ownership at an all-time high. It is estimated that we spend A$33 billion annually on caring for pets. 

While several studies have shown that having a pet is linked to many advantages for our mental and physical health, pets can also carry infectious diseases that can occasionally be transmitted to us. 

Also read: COVID-19 in animals - SARS-CoV-2 evolving rapidly in free-ranging white-tailed deer 

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A report published by The Conversation mentioned that everyone is not at risk, but some people are likely to be contracting an infection from animals, such as those who are pregnant or have compromised immune systems. 

Hence, it's critical to be aware of the hazards and take appropriate safety measures to avoid infections.

Zoonotic diseases are contagious illnesses that spread from animals to people and reports suggest that more than 70 companion animal infections can spread to humans. 

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Also read: Asian Hornet may have established presence in UK, threatening native bees 

Such infections can be spread indirectly, such as via contact with contaminated bedding, soil, food, or water, or directly from pets to humans through the exchange of saliva, body fluids, and excrement. 

Dogs and cats are major reservoirs of zoonotic infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. 

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