Ivory Tower: Brucellosis most common zoonotic disease in state, finds study
A study on the inter-connectedness of human, animal and environmental health, with a focus on zoonotic diseases was conducted by professors from the Centre for One Health, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana.
The study by Dr Jatinder Paul Singh Gill, Sakshi, Pankaj Dhaka, Jasbir Singh Bedi, Rabinder Singh Aulakh and Randhir Singh found out that brucellosis, rabies and anthrax are three major zoonotic diseases in Punjab. The higher priority is suggested for endemic zoonoses e.g. brucellosis and rabies as compared to those with epidemic potential e.g. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), etc. The results of the study will help develop targeted control and prevention strategies for zoonotic diseases in Punjab and other geographical regions facing similar challenges.
“Zoonotic diseases have a significant impact on both human and animal health globally. The study was planned to prioritise the zoonoses in Punjab. To develop a zoonotic disease prioritisation scoring system, a comprehensive approach has been taken, including literature review, key person interviews with animal health experts and medical professionals and nine focus group discussions (FGDs) with veterinary academicians, medical professionals and field veterinary doctors,” said Dr Jatinder Paul Singh Gill.
Sharing the findings of the study, Dr Gill said the zoonotic diseases prioritised for Punjab included brucellosis, rabies, anthrax, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, HPAI, bovine tuberculosis, Q fever, cysticercosis, listeriosis, CCHF, Japanese encephalitis, echinococcosis, dermatophytosis and scrub typhus.
“Lot of awareness needed to be created about brucellosis. The zoonotic disease that exists globally is misdiagnosed and underreported, particularly in developing countries where it is endemic. The lack of knowledge can lead to a delayed or ineffective treatment and potentially serious health complications. People are unaware that they can contract brucellosis, a bacterial infection, by consuming unpasteurised dairy products like cream, milk, cheese and ice cream, as these products may contain the Brucella bacteria from infected animals. Pasteurisation, a heat treatment process, effectively kills the Brucella bacteria, making pasteurised dairy products safe to consume,” adds Dr Gill.
What is zoonotic disease
The term “zoonoses” is derived from the Greek word “zoon”, meaning animal, and “nosos”, which means illness. Zoonoses is a great public health concern and a direct human health hazard that may even lead to death.
Zoonotic diseases are infectious illnesses that spread from animals and humans. Bacteria, parasites, viruses, fungi and prions can cause the diseases. Zoonotic diseases spread through contact with infected body fluids, animal bites, contaminated water and by eating infected meat.
Top 3 diseases in state
Brucellosis is caused by bacteria Brucella. One gets brucellosis from unpasteurised milk, consuming unpasteurised milk products or handling infected animals. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and sweating that can come and go for a long time. Brucellosis is treated with antibiotics and affects hundreds of thousands of people and animals worldwide.
Avoiding raw dairy products and taking precautions when working with animals or in a laboratory can help prevent brucellosis, said Dr Gill.
Rabies is the oldest fatal zoonotic disease known to mankind. It is caused by Lyssaviruses of the family Rhabdoviridae and can affect all mammals, including humans. Transmission occurs through exposure to infectious saliva, mostly via bites of infected animals. Once symptoms develop, rabies is inevitably fatal to both animals and humans. However, rabies is 100% preventable if wound cleansing as well as active (vaccine) and passive (immunoglobulins) immunisations, are done as soon as possible after suspected contact with an animal, shares Rabinder Singh Aulakh.
Punjab