The term zoonotic infection — that is, infection that can spread from animals to people — often conjures up exotic diseases like Ebola. Truth is, most zoonotic infections happen right under our noses.

Ringworm from cats, Salmonella infections from pet reptiles or backyard chickens — even infections linked to drinking unpasteurized milk — they’re all zoonotic. In fact, 60% of all known human infections are zoonotic, and that number is increasing.

Some zoonoses are mild while others are deadly. Very young children, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women are at greatest risk of severe disease.

But all of us should take care. That means washing our hands and surfaces after handling animals and refraining from kissing our pets and cleaning cages in the kitchen sink. We go awry when we let our guard down.