reverse zoonosis
noun
plural reverse zoonoses
: an infection or disease that is transmissible from humans to animals under natural conditions
But what about the opposite scenario: so-called "reverse zoonoses" which are diseases that humans can pass on to pets?—
Pete Wedderburn
Pete Wedderburn
also
: the process of transmitting infection or disease from humans to animals
This finding suggests reverse zoonosis of influenza viruses from humans to dromedaries. —Daniel K. W. Chu et al.
Daniel K. W. Chu et al. called also anthroponosis, zooanthroponosis
compare zoonosis
reverse zoonotic
adjective
reverse zoonotic disease transmission
Examples of reverse zoonosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Diseases can also travel in the other direction, in what is called reverse zoonosis.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2024
When pathogens spread from human to animals, it’s called reverse zoonoses.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2024
And the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has mentioned the possibility of reverse zoonosis — the virus moving from people into animal in Europe and gaining a foothold there.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 4 June 2022
Another theory is known as reverse zoonosis, Venter added.
—Michael Nedelman, CNN, 1 Apr. 2022
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Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2024
When pathogens spread from human to animals, it’s called reverse zoonoses.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2024
And the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has mentioned the possibility of reverse zoonosis — the virus moving from people into animal in Europe and gaining a foothold there.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 4 June 2022
Another theory is known as reverse zoonosis, Venter added.
—Michael Nedelman, CNN, 1 Apr. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Reverse zoonosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverse%20zoonosis. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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