Dr. R.K. Bhardwaj & Dr. Himani Sharma
World Zoonoses Day is an annual opportunity to spread knowledge and awareness regarding diseases that originate in animals that can be transmitted to humans and to celebrate global activities taking place to minimize the risks in the future. World Zoonoses Day is conducted every year on July 6th to emphasize and bring awareness amongst people about the zoonotic disease and teach them to take the right action. They can pose serious risks to both animal and human health and may have far-reaching impacts on economies and livelihoods. In a study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(C.D.C.), 60 per cent of all existing infectious diseases are zoonotic and at least 70 per cent of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals. This day is celebrated in the memory of French biologist Louis Pasteur who successfully administered the first rabies vaccine to a little boy bitten by a rabid dog on July 6th, 1885. The vaccine not only prevented the child from getting rabies; it also saved his life. Rabies is just one example of many zoonotic diseases. Avian influenza in 2006, Swine flu in 2009, Corona Virus in 2020 are some other examples of zoonotic disease outbreak in India that have been discovered over the years. The C.D.C. estimates that the global death toll due to H1N1 influenza in Swine flu outbreak was more than 2,84,000. In a study from January to April 2021, rabies recorded the highest number of deaths at 88.31%.The COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder of how zoonotic infectious disease can be a problem globally from one community.
Zoonotic pathogens can be viral, bacterial or parasitic and can spread to humans through direct contact or indirectly through contaminated food, water or environment. Consumption of uncooked meat, raw eggs, unboiled milk or canned and not properly cooked vegetables may also contribute to the transmission of zoonotic diseases. It may even spread through an intermediary species like tick bite. Kissing birds, bare hand touching fungal infected pet, dog bite or licking wound are other reasons that lead to zoonotic disease transmission. It does not just originate from wild animals like bats or monkeys. It can also come from pets and farm animals. Dogs are common pets in India with 63% of pet owner have dogs and 42% have cat as their pet. Researchers have found that bats carry the highest number of unknown pathogens that can infect humans. That’s why animals have an important role in zoonotic infections. According to the studies, currently there are over 250 known zoonotic viruses, but many more may be waiting to be discovered. The emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases are influenced by several factors, including environmental changes, wildlife interactions, livestock farming practices, and human behavior. Encroachment into natural habitats, wildlife trade, inadequate food safety measures, and improper sanitation also contribute to the transmission of zoonotic diseases.
Rabies is one of the global zoonotic disease that is transmitted commonly through dog bite, licking and scratch. Fox, cat and bat are the reservoir of rabies virus. According to OIE, in every 10 minute a man dies of rabies and in every 2 second a man is bitten by dog. In humans, fear of light, water are common signs seen and if a person is affected by rabies he/she will surely die.Consumption of unpasteurized or unboiled milk and its products lead to brucellosis, which cause abortion in females and sterility in males. Salmonellosis and Botulism are other bacterial zoonotic diseases and are transmitted via consumption of canned food, uncooked meat and raw vegetables. These cause severe diarrhea, fever, typhoid, nausea,cramping and abdominal pain. Rodents are very commonly found in or near house; they are the source of very fatal disease like Plaque. It causes 100% death if left untreated. A scratch from cat can also lead to a zoonotic disease in humans as 17-25% of cat nail contain the disease causing bacteria. Cat scratch disease bacteria can also be transferred from one cat to another by fleas. Fungal infection in humans that cause ring shaped rashes, itching and scaling is another zoonotic disease called as dermatophytosis. It is transmitted by touching fungal infected animal with bare hands and not washing afterwards.
Hydatid cyst is a parasitic infection caused by tapeworm and it cause cyst in liver of humans and it happens because of drinking or eating n space shared by infected dog and eating raw vegetables like cabbage. Another parasitic disease is Toxoplasmosis that lives in cats. Birds can also transmit certain zoonotic diseases like one of them is Psittacosis also known as Parrot fever.It is a bacterial disease in parrots.One can catch parrot fever by:handling infected bird or breathing particles of urine, feces or other excretions, bite, “kisses” by touching its beak to your mouth.
India has made some initiatives related to zoonotic diseases control like:
I. National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): Played a vital role in controlling two major zoonotic diseases: Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis.
II. Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs): MVUs in some states of India have been deployed to provide veterinary services at farmers’ doorsteps, including disease diagnosis, treatment, minor surgeries, and raising awareness about the management of diseased animals.
III. Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023: The focus of the rules is on anti-rabies vaccination of stray dogs and neutering of stray dogs as means of population stabilization.
IV. National One Health Programme for Prevention & Control of Zoonoses: Focuses on strengthening surveillance, diagnosis, prevention and control of zoonotic diseases through inter-sectoral coordination and collaboration.
V. Vaccination efforts: Focus on achieving 100% vaccination coverage for FMD in buffalo, sheep, goat, and pig populations, as well as vaccinating 100% of bovine female calves aged 4-8 months for brucellosis.
Multi-sectoral collaboration is essential in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases. The “One Health” approach emphasizes the collaboration between human health, animal health, and environmental sectors.
Promoting hygiene practices like:
a) Hand wash before and after eating.
b) Don’t consume raw vegetables.
c) Raw meat or uncooked meat should not be consumed as it is.
d) Milk must be boiled before drinking.
e) Proper vaccination of companion animals and humans is must.
f) Deworming should be done at regular interval
g) Packaged food items must be thoroughly checked along with expiry date before their consumption.
h) Don’t feed dogs and cats raw offal and meat
i) Don’t let cats or dogs lick your mouth or wounded area.
j) Washing hands every time you touch animal.
Improving public awareness and education about zoonotic diseases and their prevention is vital in promoting responsible behavior and reducing the risk of transmission. Protecting and managing the health of animals that live alongside humans is vital. When we prevent diseases in animals, we safeguard the health of people.
