ONE WORLD, ONE HEALTH: PREVENT ZOONOSES, STOP THE SPREAD
Dr. Rambabu.D, MVSc, Ph.D, MBA.
Associate Professor
Dept. of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Korutla
PV Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University
Jagtial dist – 505 326. Telangana State.
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Zoonosis: What Is It?
An infectious disease called zoonosis spreads from animal to human (or human to animal) species. It can be spread by ticks and mosquitoes, direct contact with infected animals, and ingestion of contaminated food or water.
Zoonotic diseases have consistently posed serious risks to public health around the world over time. Renowned French scientist Louis Pasteur created the first rabies vaccine, which was successfully delivered in 1885. This noteworthy accomplishment was a turning point in our knowledge of zoonotic diseases—diseases that can be spread from animals to people. The knowledge and prevention of zoonotic diseases are based on the work of Pasteur. Acknowledging the need of increasing public awareness regarding zoonotic diseases, World Zoonoses Day was formally introduced in 2007 (Fig.1 Zoonotic Diseases).
Fig.1 Zoonotic Diseases
Importance of Zoonoses Day
The objectives of World Zoonoses Day are to raise awareness of the dangers of zoonotic diseases, encourage preventative actions, and stress the need of cross-sectoral cooperation across the environmental, animal, and human health sectors.
Facts about World Zoonoses Day
These details demonstrate how crucial it is to comprehend and treat zoonotic diseases in order to safeguard public health and guarantee the welfare of both people and animals:
Diseases called zoonoses can spread from animals to people. They may be brought on by fungus, viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
Seventy-five percent of newly discovered infectious diseases and about sixty percent of human infectious disorders are zoonotic.
Numerous pathways can result in the transmission of zoonotic illnesses, such as direct contact with diseased animals, eating or drinking contaminated food or water, breathing in infectious particles, and being bitten by infected vectors like ticks and mosquitoes.
A few well-known zoonotic diseases are COVID-19, avian influenza (bird flu), Zika virus, rabies, and Lyme disease.
Human health can be significantly impacted by zoonoses, which can cause mild to severe infections or even result in death. Due to trade restrictions, lost productivity, and healthcare expenditures, they may also have an impact on the economy.
Household animals, including cats and dogs, have the potential to harbor and spread zoonotic diseases to people. Poultry, pigs, and cattle are examples of livestock that can harbor zoonotic diseases.
The spread of zoonoses is significantly aided by wildlife. Human encroachment into natural ecosystems and greater human-wildlife contact can lead to animal-to-human transmission of diseases.
It takes a One Health strategy to prevent and control zoonotic diseases because human, animal, and environmental health are all intertwined. It is imperative that the health sector, veterinary services, environmental agencies, and other relevant parties work together.
Frequent hand washing, handling and preparing food safely, and proper waste disposal are examples of good hygiene habits that can help lower the risk of zoonotic diseases.
For the purpose of preventing some zoonotic diseases, vaccination is essential. Vaccinating people and animals together helps prevent the spread of disease and safeguard communities.
Who is in threat?
Humans can become infected with zoonotic infections through any point of contact with domestic, wild, or agricultural animals. Markets that sell wild animal meat or by-products are especially vulnerable since some wild animal populations are known to harbor a significant number of novel or unrecognized diseases. Workers in the agricultural sector may be more vulnerable to infections resistant to the antimicrobial medications now on the market if antibiotic use for farm animals is high in the area. People who live near wilderness regions or in semi-urban settings where there are more wild animals present run the risk of contracting diseases from rodents like rats, foxes, or raccoons. By increasing human-wildlife contact, urbanization and the degradation of natural habitats raise the danger of zoonotic diseases.
How do microorganisms go from humans to animals?
Because humans and animals have such a close relationship, it’s critical to understand the typical pathways by which humans can contract bacteria that can lead to zoonotic diseases. These might consist of:
Direct contact: Making physical touch with an infected animal’s blood, urine, mucous, excrement, saliva, or other bodily fluids. Bites and scratches are two examples, as well as caressing or petting animals.
Contacting surfaces or things infected with germs, or regions where animals reside and wander, is known as indirect contact. Water from aquarium tanks, animal habitats, henhouses, barns, plants, soil, and dishes for water and food for pets are a few examples.
Vector-borne: Having a tick or flea bite, or contracting an insect bite.
Foodborne: One in six Americans fall ill each year as a result of consuming tainted food. consuming unwholesome food or beverages, such as raw milk, undercooked meat or eggs, or raw produce tainted with animal excrement from an infected animal. Both humans and animals, including pets, can become unwell from eating contaminated food.
Waterborne: Consuming or coming into touch with water contaminated by an infected animal’s excrement.
The future of combating zoonotic illnesses
To identify possible zoonotic disease outbreaks and take prompt action in response, local, national, regional, and international surveillance and early warning systems should be strengthened.
Using science and innovation to create novel zoonotic disease diagnostics, vaccines, treatments, and preventative measures, and to comprehend the causes, dynamics, and effects of these diseases.
Enhancing public and stakeholder education and communication to increase understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of human-animal interactions and to encourage changes in behaviour that lower exposure to zoonotic infections.
Promoting robust, sustainable livelihoods and food systems that reduce the harm that human activity causes to biodiversity, ecological services, and wildlife habitats.
Strategies for Prevention
To prevent and control zoonotic diseases, multisectoral coordination is crucial.
The “One Health” strategy places a strong emphasis on cooperation between the environmental, animal, and human health sectors.
Systems for early zoonotic disease identification and surveillance are essential for averting outbreaks and epidemics.
Encouraging good hygiene habits, including washing your hands properly, taking precautions with food, and handling animals safely, can help lower the likelihood of transmission.
Animal vaccination campaigns, particularly for those that come into close contact with people, can help avoid zoonotic diseases.
In order to encourage responsible behaviour and lower the danger of transmission, it is essential to improve public awareness and education regarding zoonotic diseases and how to prevent them.
One health approach
A single sector cannot successfully manage health challenges at the interface of humans, animals, and environment. At the human-animal-environment interface, cooperation between various health-related sectors and disciplines is necessary to combat zoonotic diseases and other common health risks. One Health is the term used to describe this kind of cooperation (Fig.2).
Fig.2 One health triad
The World Health Organization has suggested the following measures, to name a few:
- Use hands rubs with alcohol or wash your hands often with soap and water.
Steer clear of dead or diseased animals and their products. - Always fully cook animal items before consuming them.
- If an animal has bitten or scratched you, or if you exhibit symptoms of a zoonotic disease, get medical help.
- Keep your livestock and pets away from wildlife and vaccinate them against zoonotic diseases.
- Notify the local health authorities of any suspected zoonotic disease cases.
Encourage the preservation of biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
In summary
Infections known as zoonotic diseases can spread from animals to people. They represent a serious risk to biodiversity, animal welfare, and public health. One Health—an integrated approach that considers the health of humans, animals, and the environment—is required to prevent and control zoonotic diseases. This strategy necessitates public awareness and education campaigns in addition to cooperation and coordination across several sectors and disciplines. Together, we may minimize the danger of zoonotic diseases and safeguard the wellbeing of people, animals, and the environment.
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