Rabies:- One Health Approach,: The Need of the Hour
Dr. Rahul Kumar
P.G Scholar
Department of Veterinary Medicine
Ranchi Veterinary College, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi-834006, Jharkhand.
Contact No.-7992291256
E-mail id:- rky4793@ gmail.com
Rabies:- One Health Approach,: The Need of the Hour
The current COVID-19 pandemic in humans and the outbreak of lumpy skin disease in animals has made the One Health strategy essential. One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary strategy with the aim of attaining the best possible health results while acknowledging the connections between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment (One health basics, CDC). Because of population growth, human encroachment on forests has happened over time. Industrialization and global transformations are accelerating along with human civilization. The biodiversity and ecosystems were harmed as a result of these changes. 75% of terrestrial habitats and 66% of marine environments have undergone change as a result of human activity. as a result of the rapid environmental and climatic changes. Disease emergence and re-emergence, including zoonoses, happens. Zoonotic illnesses, which are infections spread from animals to people, are a major cause of newly emerging infectious diseases. Animal diseases directly endanger the way of life of those whose income is dependent on raising cattle. Over 75% of the world’s 1.2 billion inhabitants depend on cattle as a source of income for their livelihood. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) estimates that 60% of pathogens that cause human diseases are derived from domestic or wild animals, 75% of newly emerging human pathogens are derived from animals, and 80% of pathogens that are a potential threat to bioterrorism are derived from animals. Approximately 811 million people go to bed hungry every night, which is a problem for food safety. By 2050, more than 70% more animal protein will be required to feed the world. Additionally, more than 20% of the losses in animal production worldwide are associated with animal diseases Wildlife encounters are more likely to include people or animals. Some of these contacts can make it more likely for a disease to spread. Multidisciplinary methods, as well as collaboration and mutual understanding amongst many sectors, are necessary when it comes to public health concerns. To promote the health of people and animals, including pets, farm animals, and wildlife, cooperation between many institutions and stakeholders is the fundamental goal of this project.
Journey towards One health approach and establishment of One health office
Although the term “One Health” seems quite new for the people but its concept has been recognized long back. Till 20th century the veterinary and human medicine were being practiced separately, although the similarities between animals and human diseases processes were noted by scientists and researchers in 1800s. There were so many events occurred before the concept of One health approach but only some important events are mentioned here.
Dr. Rudolf Virchow, a German pathologist, recognizes the link between human and animal health. He was one of the most prominent physicians in 19th century. While studying Trichinella spiralis (a roundworm) in swine, he developed interested in the linkages between human and veterinary medicine. He emphasized, “Between animal and human medicine there are no dividing lines—nor should there be. The object is different but the experience obtained constitutes the basis of all medicine.” He coined the term “zoonosis” to indicate an infectious disease that is passed between humans and animals. He promoted the up gradation of veterinary education. After him, Dr. William Osler (father of veterinary pathology in North America) was a Canadian physician who had a deep interest in the linkages between human and veterinary medicine. “The Relation of Animals to Man” was one of his first publications was titled,
Before 1947, there was no existence of concept of Veterinary public health. It was Dr James H. Steele who understood that the good health of animal is important for the good health of public. He recognized that the animals play important role in the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases and in the year 1947, he founded the Veterinary Public Health Division at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Division played an important role in the public health response to diseases such as rabies, brucellosis, salmonellosis, Q fever, bovine tuberculosis, and leptospirosis. throughout the 19th century. He became interested in the connections between human and veterinary medicine while researching the roundworm Trichinella spiralis in pigs. He underlined that there shouldn’t be any distinctions between human and animal medicine. Although the target is different, the experience gained forms the cornerstone of all medicine. He came up with the term “zoonosis” to describe an infectious disease that is spread from animals to people. He advocated for improving veterinary education. Dr. William Osler, a Canadian doctor who came after him and is regarded as the originator of veterinary pathology in North America, took a keen interest in the connections between veterinary and human medicine. One of his earliest works, “The Relation of Animals to Man,” was labelled Before 1947, the notion of Veterinary Public Health did not exist. Dr. James H. Steele was the first to recognise the significance of animal health for the public health is good. He established the Veterinary Public Health Division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1947 after seeing the importance of animals in the epidemiology of zoonotic illnesses (CDC). In the fight against illnesses including rabies, brucellosis, salmonellosis, Q fever, bovine tuberculosis, and leptospirosis, the Division was crucial.
Dr. Calvin Schwabe first used the term “One Medicine” in his textbook, “Veterinary Medicine and Human Health.” He promoted one health and made numerous important contributions to veterinary epidemiology. He advocated for a coordinated strategy against zoonoses that involved collaboration between veterinary and human health specialists in the 1964 edition of his monograph.
The official publication of “Contributing to One World, One HealthTM-A Strategic Framework for Reducing Risks of Infectious Diseases at the Animal-Human-Ecosystems Interface” took place at the 2008 International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 25 and 26. At this conference were participants from 26 international and regional organisations and more than 120 different nations. Using the paradigm, One Health is suggested as a strategy for combating influenza A and other contagious illnesses.
The One Health Office was suggested in 2009 by Lonnie King, who was then the director of the CDC’s National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-borne, and Enteric Diseases. The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, is where the One Health office was founded and is situated. Since then, the One Health Office’s responsibilities have grown to include funding public health research that advances the One Health idea and promoting data and information sharing among academics from many fields and industries.
The Public Health Agency of Canada held “One World, One Health TM: From Ideas to Action expert consultation” in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from March 16–19 of that year. It was held to continue the conversation about “One World, One Health” Expert consulting “From Ideas to Action” in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was held to continue the conversation about the One World, One HealthTM strategy and the goals of the document “Contributing to One World, One Health TM-A Strategic Framework for Reducing Risks of Infectious Diseases at the Animal-Human- Ecosystems Interface,” which was first presented at the 2008 International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza in Sharm el-Sheikh. 23 nations sent experts to the conference.
In Stone Mountain, Georgia, from May 4–6, 2010, the CDC organised a conference with the WOAH, FAO, and WHO under the theme “Operationalizing ‘One Health’: A Policy Perspective—Taking Stock and Shaping an Implementation Roadmap.” The purpose of the gathering, which became known as the “Stone Mountain Meeting,” was to outline specific actions to advance the One Health philosophy forward. Participants came up with seven crucial actions to move the One Health agenda forward. These actions served as the foundation for which concentrated on:
- Creating a database of One Health courses and curriculums
- Building an international network
- Creating a national needs assessment
- Increasing capacity at the national level
- Creating a business case to solicit donations
- Compiling proof of concept through prospective studies and literature reviews
The 2010 International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from April 19–21, and was attended by a total of 71 nations and regional organisations, as well as representatives from international organisations, development banks, and other stakeholders. Participants agreed that in order to address threats that arise when humans, animals, and the ecosystem interact, there is a need to pay more attention to the connections between human and animal health. This is especially important in light of the experience of the H1N1 pandemic and the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. The proclamation, which urged targeted action at the point where humans and animals interact with ecosystems and advocated for the widespread adoption of One Health, was adopted by all attendees at the conclusion of the meeting.
Mexico City hosted a high-level technical meeting from November 15–17, 2011. This meeting’s primary objective was to discuss By focusing on three one health priority topics—rabies, influenza, and antibiotic resistance—health hazards that happen in various geographical locations will be highlighted.
The first One Health Summit took place in Davos, Switzerland, from February 19–22, 2012. With a focus on food security and safety, the Summit introduced the One Health idea as a strategy to control health hazards. The “Davos One Health Action Plan,” which included strategies for enhancing public health through multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder collaboration, was approved at the conference’s conclusion..
Why the needs of One Health approach?
Human, animal, and environmental health is all linked. One Health is a philosophy that acknowledges the connection between human health and that of the environment, animals, and other living things. The idea of One Health is not new, but in recent years it has gained increasing significance. due to the expansion of the human population into new regions. As a result, humans are encroaching on the animals’ natural environment. Livestock is essential to rural populations’ ability to survive. greater number of people keeping pets as companions. Therefore, direct contact between humans and animals as well as changes in the environment can create new opportunities for the spread of disease from animals to humans. Increasing transnational migration of humans, animals, and animal products. Due to travel and trade, ideas quickly spread across national boundaries and around the world.
The spread of both established and new zoonotic illnesses has been attributed to harm to biodiversity and ecosystems caused by deforestation, intensive farming methods, and migratory movements of people and animals, including birds. Numerous zoonotic illnesses have been identified by the OIE; some examples include rabies, salmonella infection, West Nile virus infection, Q fever (Coxiella burnetii), anthrax, brucellosis, tuberculosis, Lyme disease, ringworm, and Ebola. Zoonotic diseases afflict millions of people and animals annually all over the world. Animals can catch some diseases from people. Animals can therefore act as early warning indicators of some human diseases, such as the West Nile virus, which frequently kills birds before infecting humans in the same location. no single individual, , sector, or organisation can handle problems at the animal-human-environment interface by themselves. To communicate, work together, and coordinate activities for managing public health, experts in the fields of human health (doctors, nurses, public health practitioners, epidemiologists), animal health (veterinarians, paraprofessionals, agricultural workers), the environment (ecologists, wildlife experts), and other areas of expertise (law enforcement, policymakers, communities, and pet owners) are required. The common health problems include zoonotic illnesses, antibiotic resistance, food safety and security, vector-borne diseases, environmental contamination, and other risks to human, animal, and environmental health. For example, water contamination can make both humans and animals sick. The One Health concept can minimise antibiotic-resistant infections, stop zoonotic disease outbreaks in both humans and animals, enhance food security and safety, and enhance human and safeguard the security of animal health.
How does a One Health approach work?
In 2009, the first official One Health office was built. The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the CDC is where it is situated. Atlanta, Georgia The One Health Office seeks to raise awareness of the One Health approach and the CDC’s involvement in One Health.
The One Health strategy promotes cooperation, coordination, and communication between partners who are involved in environmental, animal, and human health. The Collaborating Center for Emerging and Reemerging Zoonotic Diseases of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is led by the One Health Office. Employees of One Health Office also represent the organisation as liaisons to WOAH and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
One Health is a powerful strategy for combating zoonotic illnesses including rabies, avian flu, and tuberculosis as well as health challenges like antimicrobial resistance. The CDC employs a One Health strategy, working with specialists in human, animal, environmental, and other pertinent fields and industries to track and manage threats to public health, understand how diseases spread among people, and more, environment, living things, and vegetation. The One Health Office’s main areas of focus and top priorities are as follows:
Focus Areas
- Zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases
- Pandemic preparedness and response
- One Health emergencies at the human-animal-environment interface
- One Health pan-respiratory disease surveillance
- Global health security and capacity building
- Strengthen One Health coordination in the United States
- Strategic One Health partnerships
- Prevent zoonoses shared between people and pets
Priorities
- Lead CDC’s One Health strategy in the United States and around the world
- Coordinate partners to operationalize and strengthen One Health in the United States
- Advance One Health globally through development of tools and trainings for capacity building for global health security
- Leverage CDC’s expertise and engage partners to tackle One Health issues
- Provide technical expertise at the human-animal-environment interface, including during public health emergencies
- Fill the national void on control and prevention of pet-associated zoonoses through the healthy pets, healthy people .
Status one health in India:-
Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and India have the highest prevalence of zoonotic diseases, which cause extensive illness and fatalities (Jones et al., 2008). A research by the International Livestock Research, India, found that 13 zoonoses are responsible for 2.2 million annual fatalities and 2.4 billion cases of human disease (Jones et al., 2008). India has one of the highest burdens and ranges of endemic and developing zoonotic diseases in the world (Chatterjee et al., 2017; Grace et al., 2012). As the nation’s population grows, more humans come into contact with pets and livestock, making it a hub for newly emerging zoonotic diseases. The animal health industry lacks adequate laboratory diagnosis, surveillance, and reporting of animal diseases. There’s a shortage lack of public awareness prevents the correct attention from being given to the wild zoonosis.
Intersectorial coordination was thought to be necessary for the efficient prevention and control of diseases following the introduction of avian influenza and the Ebola virus disease in India. The development of avian influenza H5N1 contributed to the idea that the human health, animal health, and wildlife sectors should work together to address the issue. The One Health method is becoming more and more popular among all stakeholders in the Indian setting, including researchers, policymakers, veterinarians, and healthcare practitioners. In India, diseases like rabies, bird flu, and tuberculosis that are transmitted from animal to human pose a serious concern.
For the significance of zoonotic diseases to public health, a National Standing Committee on Zoonoses (NSCZ) was established in 2007. The Food Safety and Standard Act specifies the upper and lower limits for pollutants, naturally occurring harmful substances, antibiotic residues, pesticide residues, heavy metal residues, and other substances. Programs to combat rabies, brucellosis, and food and mouth sickness were started by the government. The National Centre for Disease Control in India’s Centre of Zoonosis has published a guide for managing zoonotic diseases. The National Centre for Disease Control and the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India are partners with the National Standing Committee on Zoonoses. In 2017, India created a national action plan on antibiotic resistance using a One Health perspective that took into account the human, animal, and environmental sectors. Integrated Public Health, the National Institute of One Health in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and the National Expert Group on One Health (multi-sectoral transdisciplinary collaborative group) The One Health plan has been mainstreamed in India thanks to laboratories. After COVID, the Department of Biotechnology (BDT), Government of India, introduced its first “One Health” programme through video conference. In India, including the nation’s northeast, this initiative plans to conduct surveillance of significant bacterial, viral, and parasite diseases caused by zoonotic and transboundary pathogens. For the purpose of monitoring and comprehending the spread of new diseases, it is vital to use already available diagnostic tests and to create additional approaches as necessary. DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, located at Hyderabad, is one of the largest health initiatives the Indian government has undertaken after COVID times.
