WORLD ZOONOSES DAY
Source: MDPI
Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.
Context
- World Zoonoses Day is celebrated annually on July 6, marking the first successful rabies vaccine administered by Louis Pasteur in 1885.
- Raises awareness about zoonotic diseases and promotes preventive measures to protect public health.
Details
Zoonotic and Non-Zoonotic Diseases
- Zoonotic Diseases:
- Definition: Infectious diseases that can transfer between animals and humans.
- Examples: Rabies, anthrax, influenza (H1N1 and H5N1), Nipah, COVID-19, brucellosis, and tuberculosis.
- Causes: Various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
- Non-Zoonotic Diseases:
- Definition: Diseases that affect animals but do not pose a risk to human health.
- Examples: Foot & Mouth Disease, PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants), Lumpy Skin Disease, Classical Swine Fever, and Ranikhet Disease.
Importance of Differentiation
- Public Health Strategy: Understanding which diseases are zoonotic is crucial for effective public health strategies.
- Preventing Fear and Stigma: Differentiating between zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases helps reduce unnecessary fear and stigmatization of animals.
India's Livestock Population
- Livestock: 536 million livestock, accounting for approximately 11% of the global livestock population.
- Poultry: 851 million poultry, making up about 18% of the global poultry population.
- Production: Largest producer of milk and second-largest producer of eggs globally.
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Case Study: African Swine Fever (ASF) Location: Detected in Madakkatharan Panchayath, Thrissur district, Kerala. First Reported: May 2020 in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, now spread to 24 States/UTs in India. Current Response: Rapid Response Teams formed, culling of pigs within a 1 km radius, and ongoing surveillance within a 10 km radius. Non-Zoonotic Nature: ASF cannot spread to humans; currently, there are no vaccines for ASF. |
Prevention and Control Measures
- Vaccination: Campaigns for Brucella vaccination of bovine calves and rabies vaccination.
- Hygiene and Animal Husbandry Practices: Ensuring good hygiene and proper animal husbandry to prevent disease spread.
- Vector Control: Measures to control disease-carrying vectors.
- One Health Approach: Collaboration among veterinarians, medical professionals, and environmental scientists to address zoonotic diseases comprehensively.
Nationwide Campaigns and Collaborative Efforts
- National Action Plan for Control of ASF: Implemented in 2020 for outbreak response.
- Brucella Vaccination Campaign: Under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP).
- Rabies Vaccination: Under the Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD).
- National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT): Collaboration of experts from various ministries and departments for outbreak investigations.
Impact of Zoonotic Diseases
- Public Health: Significant morbidity and mortality; potential to cause pandemics.
- Economic: Costs related to healthcare, animal culling, and trade restrictions.
- Social: Fear and stigma associated with outbreaks; impact on livelihoods, especially in agriculture and animal husbandry.
Summary of Common Zoonotic Diseases
|
Disease |
Pathogen |
Transmission Mode |
Symptoms in Humans |
Prevention |
|
Rabies |
Virus |
Animal bites (usually from dogs) |
Fever, headache, excess salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis, confusion |
Vaccination of pets, avoiding stray animals, post-exposure prophylaxis |
|
Anthrax |
Bacteria (Bacillus anthracis) |
Contact with infected animals or products |
Skin sores, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal distress |
Vaccination of livestock, protective clothing, proper handling of animal products |
|
Avian Influenza (H5N1) |
Virus |
Respiratory droplets from infected birds |
Fever, cough, sore throat, severe respiratory issues |
Avoiding contact with infected birds, proper handling of poultry, vaccination |
|
Nipah Virus |
Virus |
Contact with infected bats, pigs, or people |
Fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation, respiratory issues |
Avoiding consumption of raw date palm sap, avoiding contact with infected animals |
|
COVID-19 |
Virus (SARS-CoV-2) |
Respiratory droplets, close contact |
Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, loss of taste/smell |
Vaccination, wearing masks, social distancing, hand hygiene |
|
Brucellosis |
Bacteria (Brucella spp.) |
Contact with infected animals or products, consumption of unpasteurized dairy products |
Fever, sweats, malaise, anorexia, muscle pain |
Vaccination of livestock, pasteurization of dairy products, protective clothing |
|
Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) |
Bacteria (Mycobacterium bovis) |
Inhalation of aerosols from infected animals, consumption of contaminated products |
Persistent cough, chest pain, weight loss |
Testing and culling of infected livestock, pasteurization of dairy products |
|
Leptospirosis |
Bacteria (Leptospira spp.) |
Contact with water or soil contaminated by urine of infected animals |
Fever, headache, muscle pain, jaundice |
Avoiding contaminated water, protective clothing, vaccination of pets |
|
Ebola Virus Disease |
Virus |
Contact with blood or bodily fluids of infected animals or humans |
Fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, hemorrhage |
Avoiding contact with infected individuals or animals, protective clothing, proper burial practices |
|
Plague |
Bacteria (Yersinia pestis) |
Flea bites from infected rodents |
Fever, chills, weakness, swollen lymph nodes |
Control of rodent populations, use of insect repellent, antibiotics for exposed individuals |
Sources:
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q: Collaborative efforts and the One Health approach are essential in mitigating the risks associated with zoonotic diseases and ensuring a safer environment for all. Discuss. (250 Words) |
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