One World, One Health: Prevent Zoonoses, Stop the Spread
YUVARAJ D.G.
MVSc Scholar
Dept. of veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology
Veterinary college Hassan, Karnataka
One Health refers of combined health equity of humans, animals and their shared environment. The concept of One Health has gained drastic importance in recent times. Though every routine aspect of life comprises of effective harmony between humans and animals in relation to the environment they live. It is essential for the betterment of society and progressive enhancement of overall health of world. Thus, the phrase One World, One Health are two essential elements as two faces of a same coin.
As the definition of zoonoses by WHO in 1959 states, Zoonoses are those diseases and infections which are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans. Prevention of these diseases is very essential for health of individual. In relation to One Health which unites several stakeholders under an umbrella, it is necessary for multisectoral approach across several disciplines for optimized health and combined community efforts. Prevention of zoonoses is thus the responsibility of every discipline and involvement of every individual is very much essential.
There are many strategies formulated by collaborative efforts of these stakeholders for prevention of zoonoses and among all primarily is to stop the spread of diseases. This can be achieved by proper diagnosis and appropriate control measures. Identifying of causative agent, mode of transmission, maintenance strategies of host and vector in environment is essential for proper elimination of root cause of disease and also in prevention of occurrence of zoonoses.
Control of zoonotic diseases is critically a challenging aspect since its inevitable to segregate human and animal relationship, the mutualistic aspects of them are very much important for effective harmony and coordination between them. Both are well dependent on each other for their survival. Hence, it’s difficult to cross these barriers and isolate both. But this can be well achieved by several strategies and proper awareness of situation. Understanding a natural history of disease such as etiology, pathogenesis, mode of transmission, agents involved are essential. Thereby diseases can be effectively prevented. Transmitting agent elimination is the most effective way to stop the spread of zoonoses since most of the zoonotic diseases are transmitted by living vectors or inanimate fomites. Management and control of these agents leads to effective minimization of transmission and prevention of zoonotic diseases.
In the current generation of high susuptibility to infections and resistant to antibiotics even with the advanced techniques and treatment methodology, it is difficult to completely get rid of the disease. Hence as phrase says, “Prevention is better than cure” it is utmost important to control and prevention of disease rather than to find solution of management. Appropriate diagnosis of disease plays a major role selection of suitable prevention strategy and thereby combact of zoonotic disease spread and elimination. For instance, strategy of proper cooking of meat before consumption prevents the transmission of Trichinellosis and Hydatidosis. Elimination of A.vexans vector prevents transmission of eastern equine encephalitis. Proper management of dog bite and controlling of unvaccinated dog population controls Rabies. Sewage treatment and water purification eliminates E.coli infections.
In order to attain a better health and better world, management of zoonotic diseases is of prime importance. This in turn builds harmony between sectors, collaborative actions thrive towards betterment of society, transdisciplinary mitigation across different stakeholders for attainment of health and thereby satisfying One Health aims and objectives. These combined and collaborative action towards stopping the spread of diseases and prevention of zoonoses make the concept of One World, One Health.
