Stop zoonoses to prevent pandemics | Nagpur News

World Zoonoses Day is celebrated on July 6 of each year. Covid-19 is a prime example of a zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to humans. This year’s theme is “Breaking the Chain of Zoonotic Transmission”
# Facts about zoonoses
– Zoonosis | Spread of infectious diseases from animals to humans
– Types | Over 200 known types of zoonoses
– Reverse zoonosis | Spread of infectious diseases from humans to animals
– New diseases | About 75% of new diseases are of animal origin
– Sources | Humans can contract zoonotic viruses from pets, farm animals, through hunting and slaughter
# Common zoonotic diseases
– Avian influenza | Found in chicken and wild birds; transmitted by close contact
– Swine flu | Found in pigs; transmitted by close contact
– Ebola | Found in monkeys; transmitted by close contact
– Rage | Found in mice and rats; transmitted by rat bite
– Diarrhea | Viruses, bacteria transmitted by raw and undercooked meat
– Nipah virus | Found in primates and rodents; transmitted by contact
– Leprosy | Found in mice, monkeys and rabbits; transmitted by direct contact
# Prevention
– Be careful when handling animals
– Wash hands with soap and water after touching animals
– Wear protective clothing to avoid tick, flea and mosquito bites
– Store food properly, prevent animals from approaching it
– Avoid sharing food with animals
– Keep the animal’s bowls clean to prevent the reproduction of germs
# Research
Two collaborative research projects launched to conduct epidemiological surveillance of selected zoonoses in central India
Some results
– In animals | Seropositivity for listeriosis (7.66%) and brucellosis (11.69%) was recorded
– In humans | The seropositivity of brucellosis (1.83-11%), listeriosis (1.01-10.18%), leptospirosis (8.14-12.67%) and brush typhus (1.78 -20.34%) was recorded.
– Brush typhus | A bimodal pattern during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon months with a post-monsoon peak in human cases has been recorded
– TB | Bovine tuberculosis was detected in 1.43% of human cases using a molecular test
# National Institute of One Health
– Studies indicate the emergence of zoonotic diseases affecting both animal and human health
– Indian Council of Medical Research and Indian Council of Agricultural Research will soon establish National One Health Institute in Nagpur
– NIOH to be developed to serve as a national leader in zoonoses
– The institute will be a think tank dedicated to “One Health” involving animals, humans, wildlife and the environment
– It will provide an intersectoral and interdisciplinary approach for surveillance, response, research, capacity building and advocacy / communication for the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases
SPEAK RIGHT
The NIOH can train a skilled workforce in various aspects of zoonoses in which participants from veterinary, medical and other related fields would participate through capacity building programs.
Sandeep P Chaudhari | teacher, Nagpur veterinary school
Text: Chaitanya Deshpande