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Fact sheet -World Zoonoses day  What are Zoonoses?

Zoonoses are those diseases and infections, which are naturally transmitted between animals and man.  When is the world Zoonoses day and why? Every year 6th July is celebrated as World Zoonoses day. Louis Pasteur vaccinated a young boy who was bitten a rabid dog on 6th July 1885. In commemoration of this incident, the WHO has recommended this day to be celebrated as world Zoonoses day every year  What are zoonotic diseases in India? Rabies, japanese encephalitis (brain fever), brucellosis, anthrax, leptospirosis, plague, bovine tuberculosis, cholera, swine flu, bird flu etc.  Who are all affected mainly due to these diseases? Animal handlers Zoo attendants Veterinarians Dairymen Livestock keepers  The occupational groups are at high risk of acquiring zoonotic infections than other professionals  What measures one must take to control Zoonoses? The successful control of Zoonoses requires joint efforts of veterinary, medical, sanitary and public health engineering disciplines. 1. Blocking the channels of transmission A) Vehicle transmission: i) Milk, meat, egg, fish, poultry, water and other products - Pasteurization of milk - Thorough cooking of meat, fish and eggs - Disinfection of water - Good sanitary practices ii) Animal & human excreta - Safe disposal - Personal hygiene Food handlers Laboratory workers Butchers Pet owners

B) Contact transmission: 1) Avoiding physical contact 2) Proper and prompt treatment of wounds, cut, injuries, scratch etc. 3) Avoid handling infected material big people with abraded skin C) Vector transmission: 1) Improving environmental sanitation 2) Periodical spraying of insecticides 3) Use of mosquito nets, repellants D) Air borne transmission 1) Use of face masks 2) Good ventilation 3) Dust control (Damp dusting, vaccum sweeping) 4) Avoid visiting polluted sites 2. Controlling reservoir of infection i. Early diagnosis ii. Isolation iii. Disinfection iv. Treatment v. Notification vi. Quarantine vii. Surveillance 3. Protecting susceptible population i. Active immunization ii. Sero prophylaxis iii. Chemo prophylaxis iv. Health education  What is the impact of zoonotic diseases on humans? Due to Zoonoses, the health and wealth of humans are impaired as given below y Food scares with boycotts and dietary change y Increased legislation and consumer/producer costs y Public and private fear and anxiety y Morbidity and mortality y Political fallout  What happens if humans consume rabid dog bitten cows milk? The chance of getting rabies is very low due to our cooking habits. The rabies virus is killed during boiling of milk. Incase raw milk is consumed; the virus is killed by hydrochloric acid present in the stomach. Rabies is transmitted to public until and unless they have any cuts or abrasions in mouth and throat.

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