Context:
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has recently organized an interactive session on the eve of World Zoonoses Day.
About Zoonoses/Zoonotic diseases:
- Zoonoses are infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
- Notable examples: – rabies, anthrax, influenza (H1N1 and H5N1), Nipah, COVID-19, brucellosis, and tuberculosis.
- According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, approximately 60% of all diseases are zoonotic and about 70% of emerging infections originate from animals.
Differentiating Zoonotic and Non-Zoonotic Diseases:
- While zoonotic diseases pose risks to both animal and human health. it’s important to distinguish them from non-zoonotic diseases that primarily affect animals.
- Many livestock diseases like Foot & Mouth Disease, PPR, Lumpy Skin Disease, Classical Swine Fever, and Ranikhet Disease are species-specific and do not affect humans.
- Understanding this distinction is critical for targeted public health strategies, avoiding unnecessary stigma against animals.
World Zoonoses Day:
- It is Celebrated annually on July 6th, marking the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s groundbreaking work on rabies vaccine in 1885.
- The day raises awareness about zoonotic diseases and advocates for preventive measures, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human and animal health.
The Case of African Swine Fever (ASF):
- Recently detected in Thrissur (Kerala), ASF is non-zoonotic and no vaccines are available for it.
- ASF was first detected in 2020 in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The disease has now spread to around 24 States/UTs in the country.
- The state Animal Husbandry departments have constituted rapid response teams to control it.
Government Initiatives for Prevention:
Effective prevention of zoonotic diseases depends on several key strategies:
- Vaccination Programs: Implementing robust vaccination programs for both humans and animals is essential.
- Improved Hygiene Practices: Promoting good hygiene practices in communities helps limit the spread of pathogens.
- Enhanced Animal Husbandry: Enhancing animal husbandry practices reduces the risk of disease outbreaks within animal populations.
- Vector Control: Controlling insects and other organisms that transmit diseases is another crucial step.
One Health approach: Recognizing the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health, the One Health approach has been devised to tackle zoonotic diseases comprehensively.
- Under it, the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) has been established. The NJORT is a collaborative effort between the Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and the Ministry of Environment.
- This team has been actively involved in collaborative outbreak investigations of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
- The DAHD has further strengthened these efforts with national campaigns for Brucella and Rabies vaccinations, along with comprehensive surveillance plans for key animal diseases.
Power of Awareness:
- Public awareness campaigns play a pivotal role in early detection and prevention of zoonotic diseases, promoting informed practices in animal health and safety.
- Educating communities about the differences between zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases fosters responsible interaction with animals and enhances public health resilience.