Yashashree Malpathak
www.mediaeyenews.com
6th July is celebrated every year as World Zoonoses Day because it marks the day when the first vaccine against Rabies—a zoonotic disease, was developed by Louis Pasteur in 1885. The diseases transmitted from other animals to humans are known as Zoonotic diseases or zoonoses. They are caused by harmful micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi, which can cause minor to severe illnesses and even death in humans and animals. Some examples of zoonotic diseases other than Rabies include Lyme disease, Salmonella infection, West Nile virus infection, Anthrax, Rift Valley fever, among others.
These zoonotic diseases are quite common and can spread through a range of sources, including direct contact with infected animals, indirect contact with animal habitats and germ-infested objects or surfaces, being bitten by a tick or an insect such as a mosquito or a flea, and eating and drinking contaminated food and water.
'One Health' is a framework recognized worldwide for combining human, animal, and environmental health solutions, which can help fight zoonotic diseases. Let’s understand what ‘One Health’ means and how this approach aims to work.
One Health is an approach that understands that human health is closely intertwined with animal health and the health of our shared environment. The concept emphasizes the point 'when we protect one, we protect all' idea. It refers to a method of planning and implementing programs, policies, laws, and research in which, diverse sectors interact and collaborate to improve public health outcomes. The One Health approach is particularly useful in controlling zoonoses (zoonotic diseases), ensuring food safety, and combating antibiotic resistance.
The spread of zoonotic diseases in recent years has increased. It is a result of the changes in the interactions between people, animals, plants, and the environment. Growing human population and contact with animals and their environments; climate change and related disruptions; and greater international movement of humans, animals, and animal products are all key contributors.
One Health addresses the health challenges at a human-animal-environment interface. This approach works on ‘communication’, ‘coordination’, and ‘collaboration’ between humans, animals, their shared environment and other related factors. It brings together professionals from the domains of human, animal, and environmental health, as well as other disciplines and sectors to manage and control public health risks. Law enforcement, legislators, agricultural communities, and even pet owners might all be essential factors in a One Health strategy. Issues at the animal-human-environment interaction cannot be addressed by a single individual, institution, or sector.
WHO works collaboratively with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to promote multi-sectoral responses to zoonoses and other public health issues, as well as provides guidance on its mitigation measures.
