For years, yaks have served as important livestock in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. These furry creatures are mainly used for their milk, meat, and wool.

However, yaks can be carriers of several diseases that can be transmitted to humans and other animals.

Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that commonly affects livestock, including yaks. The disease is caused by the Brucella bacteria, which affects the reproductive system and can result in infertility, abortions, and stillbirths.

People can get infected with Brucellosis when they come into contact with infected animal products, such as milk, cheese, and meat.

Anthrax

Anthrax is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that affects the skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Yaks can be infected through ingestion or inhalation of spores from contaminated soil, grass, or water.

People can get infected with anthrax when they come into contact with infected animal products or contaminated soil or water.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a highly infectious bacterial disease that affects the lungs. It is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria and can also infect yaks.

Infected yaks can transmit tuberculosis to humans through the inhalation of infected droplets from coughing and sneezing.

Foot and Mouth Disease

Foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that affects several animal species, including yaks. The virus causes fever, blisters, and ulcers around the mouth and hooves.

Infected yaks can transmit the virus to other animals through contact with contaminated surfaces and inhalation of infected droplets. Humans can get infected with the virus when they come into contact with infected animal products, but the disease is usually mild and quickly resolves.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection that affects mammals, including yaks. The virus causes inflammation of the brain and can be fatal if left untreated.

Infected yaks can transmit rabies to other animals through bites and scratches and can also transmit the virus to humans through a bite or scratch.

Q Fever

Q fever is a bacterial infection that affects several animal species, including yaks. It is caused by the Coxiella burnetii bacteria and can cause fever, headache, and muscle pain in humans.

Infected yaks can transmit the bacteria to humans through contact with contaminated animal products, such as milk or urine.

Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection that affects the intestinal tract and can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.

Infected yaks can transmit salmonella bacteria to humans through contact with contaminated animal products, such as feces or meat.

Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic infection that affects the intestinal tract. It is caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite and can cause diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps.

Infected yaks can transmit the parasite to humans through contact with contaminated animal products, such as milk or feces.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that affects several animal species, including yaks. It is caused by the Leptospira bacteria and can cause fever, headache, and muscle pain in humans.

Infected yaks can transmit the bacteria to humans through contact with contaminated animal products, such as urine or feces.

Echinococcosis

Echinococcosis is a parasitic infection that affects several animal species, including yaks. It is caused by the Echinococcus granulosus parasite and can cause cysts in the liver, lungs, and other organs.

Humans can get infected with echinococcosis when they come into contact with infected animal products, such as meat or feces.