The significance of zoonoses varies depending
on many socio\u2010economic factors and on the
specific situation that prevails in a specific area.
The role of the media often determines the
importance given to a disease. In resource\u2010rich
countries, a zoonosis may be perceived as
being important due to inaccurate information
that has been circulated by mass media on the
risk of infection for animals and humans and
on the possible use of the agent for terrorist
actions. Images of sick or dead people and
animals, drastic methods of control and others,
can contribute to an overestimation of the
significance of a disease. Information can be
lacking or absent in regard to socio\u2010economic
factors that clarify occurrence and also on
geographic distribution. Therefore, the
sensitivity of people can be influenced rapidly
and negative socio\u2010economic consequences can
occur. These zoonoses can be named \u2018mediaoriented
(emphasised) zoonoses\u2019. On the
contrary, some zoonoses are scarcely
considered for several reasons, for instance:
occurrence in poverty\u2010stricken areas and
populations, risks of infection for people not
considered important enough to deserve
medical care, little interest from the media,
decision\u2010makers and health services, lack of
information and official reports. These
zoonoses can be named \u2018neglected zoonoses\u2019.
Some examples of zoonoses included in the
above categories are described
