Diseases that “jump” from humans to humans or from animals to humans (zoonoses), scabies, and fleas are still widespread. Some parasitic infections are seen more frequently in tropical or subtropical areas of the world or are “imported” from there by travellers. They may be airborne (trombidiosis) or transferred in close body or tissue contacts (scabies) or even are permanent residences of hair follicles (demodicosis). Stings from bees and wasps due to allergic reactions may cause life-threatening situations. Rat fleas as carriers of the plague hopefully no longer play their sad role as hostages of mankind today.