Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 6 (EMN): In a systematic review of 1,415 pathogens known to infect humans over 60% and atleast 75% of emerging infectious diseases of humans are found to have an animal origin, while five new human diseases appear every year with three of animal origin and 80% of agents with potential bioterrorist use are zoonotic pathogens.
The Indian subcontinent has been identified as one of the four global hot-spots at increased risk for emergence of new infectious diseases. In addition to being more vulnerable to emerging zoonoses, India has also contributed a major share of the global burden of other endemic zoonoses.
This information was shared during the observance of World Zoonosis Day at Hotel Japfü on Friday morning jointly organised by the department of Animal Husbandary and Veterinary Services (AH& VS) and the department of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW).
Stating the risks of zoonotic diseases, which are spread from animals to humans are often overlooked, director AH&VS, Dr. Aomangyang Walling said World Zoonoses Day is observed every year to help raise awareness of the growing risk of zoonotic diseases.
Observing that there is little research on neglected zoonoses, Dr Walling also noted that the knowledge among medical students on all emerging and new infectious diseases is poor while the government acts only when there are outbreaks like novel human influenza.
With zoonoses failing to get the priority it deserves, he stated that many people do not even know that they are suffering from a zoonotic disease until the problem gets severe, which often proves quite dear, both in terms of economics and human and animal health.
He also pointed out that approximately 150 zoonotic diseases are known to exist while wildlife serves as a reservoir for many diseases common to domestic animals and humans and cautioned that persons working with wildlife should be alert to the potential for disease transmission from animals.
Besides, he also cautioned that the precarious position of those people who depend on their animals for survival is yet another reason why prevention and control of all animal diseases, including zoonoses, is particularly important for human health and well-being.
Towards this end, Dr Walling stressed on the need for a strong corporation between practitioners of animal and human medicine as about 200 diseases fall under the category zoonoses and it's mostly humans that suffer.
Highlighting on the risks of zoonotic diseases, an emergent major public concern, State Surveillance Officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), Dr. John Kemp strongly suggested on the need for a strong intersectoral coordination towards mitigation of zoonosis among department of A.H & Veterinary Sciences, department of Forest, Environment & Wildlife and department of Agriculture.
He lamented on the absence of any state of the art laboratories through which tests and research could be carried out.
Besides, intersectoral coordination between health and other allied department, Dr Kemp in his presentation suggested some way forward for the state as joint training courses, preparation of IEC materials, support to national programmes, formulation of preventive and control guidelines, joint outbreak investigation of zoonotic infection, strengthening laboratory facility, research and standing committee on zoonoses etc.
Giving an overview on zoonotic diseases, joint director, AH&VS, Dr. Simon Ao impressed on the need to identify diseases of importance occurring in Nagaland that are within the logistic purview of our available logistics for prevention and control .
State nodal officer, IDSP, H & FW, Dr. Nyanthung Kikon said the concept of ‘one health’ recognises that the health of the people is connected to the health of people, animals and the environment - a collaborative, multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary approach working at local, regional, national and global levels.
One health approach, he stressed is important as 6 out of every 10 infectious diseases in human are spread from animals and that it has become more important in recent years because many factors changed interaction between people, animals and our environment and ecosystem.
For successful public health interventions, Dr Kikon asserted that this effort requires the cooperation of human, animals and environmental health communities and by promoting inter-sectoral collaboration, it hopes to achieve optimal health outcomes for both humans and animals.
