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Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ensuring animal welfare is crucial to prevent zoonotic diseases
The recent reopening of Gorakhpur and Kanpur zoos after a 56-day closure due to a bird flu scare has once again highlighted the ever-present threat of zoonotic diseases in India. In the aftermath of such incidents, much of the public discussion and policy response tends to focus on disease management systems, including surveillance, laboratory upgrades, and emergency protocols. However, as India observed World Zoonoses Day on July 6, 2025, with the theme One World, One Health: Prevent Zoonoses, it is important to recognise that animal welfare remains a critical but often overlooked factor in preventing zoonotic diseases. Zoo (REPRESENTATIVE PIC) In India, common zoonoses such as Japanese encephalitis, leptospirosis, scrub typhus, kyasanur forest disease, brucellosis, and rabies have caused significant public health challenges in recent years. India's approach to zoonotic disease prevention has evolved considerably, guided by a growing understanding of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health through the One Health framework. Despite this progress, the scale of the challenge remains significant. The World Organization for Animal Health reports that over 60% of existing infectious diseases and 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic. According to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), India records a median of seven zoonotic outbreaks every month, making it one of the countries with the highest burdens of infectious and zoonotic diseases globally. India's efforts to address zoonotic diseases have been shaped by the One Health approach, which seeks to integrate human, animal and environmental health systems. The National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, which is active across all states and union territories, is a testament to this shift. The priorities of the programme include strengthening surveillance, building laboratory capacity, and fostering intersectoral coordination. In October last year, the department of animal husbandry and dairying launched the Pandemic Fund Project 'Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response'. This $25 million fund is directed towards ensuring enhanced disease surveillance, improved laboratory networks, and better emergency response mechanisms. Despite these advances in recognising animal health as key to preventing zoonoses, India's current policy framework remains heavily reliant on disease surveillance and outbreak control, with limited attention to the broader dimensions of animal health. Intensified livestock production to meet rising protein demands and rapid deforestation due to unplanned urbanisation have led to dense human-animal habitations putting India at a critical juncture. Research shows that healthy and well-cared for animals are less likely to become reservoirs or amplifiers of zoonotic pathogens. Proactive measures such as minimising stress through better living conditions in livestock and wildlife populations has been shown to be beneficial to make animals less susceptible to infections. Global health organisations, including the World Organisation for Animal Health, have emphasised that the One Health approach must include comprehensive animal welfare standards as a foundation for disease prevention. Animal welfare within this framework is not limited to disease prevention and veterinary treatment but also includes aspects such as reducing overcrowding, ensuring proper housing, nutrition, humane handling, and the ability for animals to express normal behaviour. Yet, there are no comprehensive measures within India's current policies to mandate and incentivise improvements in animal welfare standards. Take India's National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR), which acknowledges the role of animal health in the fight against drug resistant infections. However, in prioritising surveillance, management of antibiotic use and infection control, it continues to ignore the root cause - poor animal welfare and management practices--that drives the need for antibiotics in the first place. To close the gap, India's animal health policies need to move beyond surveillance and control, which are necessary but not sufficient measures in themselves. This would begin by updating and enforcing animal welfare laws to include standards for housing, space and care in both livestock and wildlife sectors. Funding from pandemic prevention and One Health initiatives should not just be utilised towards building technical infrastructure. Dedicated funding should be allocated for animal welfare initiatives in livestock, poultry, and wildlife, with incentives for veterinarians, farmers, and animal handlers to adopt best practices. Simultaneously strengthening monitoring and evaluation, will ensure that welfare interventions translate into reduced disease risk. For India, integrating animal welfare into national policy is not just an ethical imperative but a pragmatic one. True prevention requires a comprehensive approach to animal health. Healthy animals are less likely to shed pathogens, reducing the risk of spillover to humans. As recent outbreaks have shown, the cost of inaction is far greater than the price of preparedness. By prioritising animal health and welfare, India can safeguard public health, protect rural livelihoods, and secure its place as a global leader in zoonoses prevention. This article is authored by Pallavi Krishnappa, researcher, ALPN Research Foundation.
Arab News
7 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistani officials push for unified climate-health strategy under comprehensive national framework
ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistani officials on Tuesday urged stronger cross-sector coordination to address the country's rising climate-linked health risks, as stakeholders gathered in Islamabad to reaffirm support for the One Health Pakistan initiative, a national framework linking human, animal and environmental health. The meeting was held at COMSTECH and co-hosted by the Health Services Academy and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. It brought together officials from the health, environment and development sectors, along with representatives from the World Health Organization, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and World Wide Fund for Nature. The session focused on building a climate-resilient health workforce and integrated response systems for pandemic preparedness. 'We must reaffirm our collective commitment to the One Health Pakistan initiative,' said Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr. Nelson Azeem. 'The challenges we face are interlinked, and so must be our response.' Other speakers warned that unchecked pollution, biodiversity loss and weak institutional coordination were accelerating zoonotic disease outbreaks and undermining early warning systems. Participants proposed the creation of dedicated One Health Units within provincial and federal departments to streamline disease surveillance and climate-health response planning, potentially funded through Annual Development Plans, Public Sector Development Program or international pandemic preparedness programs. Those present also agreed to turn dialogue into concrete action by strengthening inter-agency coordination, investing in integrated surveillance systems and scaling up climate-resilient health planning nationwide.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Mask compulsory in Mannarkkad taluk
Wearing masks has been made compulsory in Mannarkkad taluk in the district following detection of three back to back Nipah cases in the taluk. District Collector G. Priyanka also permitted work-from-home facility for government employees coming from containment zones. Ms. Priyanka said that giving leave to those who could not work from home was under consideration. She said online classes would be arranged for students of schools and colleges in containment zones. Students from containment zones studying in schools and colleges elsewhere will have to attend online classes. Minister for Health Veena George said on Thursday that 674 persons were under observation across the State. She said 426 of them were in Palakkad, 131 in Malappuram, 115 in Kozhikode, and one each in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. As many as 12 persons in quarantine are under treatment in Malappuram while 17 persons are being treated in quarantine in Palakkad. The Minister said 32 persons among those under observation were in highest risk group and 111 in high risk group. Ms. George has directed documenting of all activities of the One Health Centre for Nipah Research at Kozhikode. A team of experts from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) visited Malappuram on Thursday.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Glacier-fed Ganga's microbes offer new hope in fight against superbugs: Neeri, NCL study
Nagpur: Researchers have unveiled the rich microbial diversity and antimicrobial potential of the glacier-fed upper stretch of the Ganges River, in a study published in Microbiology Spectrum. This groundbreaking work not only contributes to environmental microbiology but also holds promise for combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) under the globally endorsed One Health framework. The study, titled 'Deciphering the Comprehensive Microbiome of Glacier-Fed Ganges and Functional Aspects: Implications for One Health', was led by Dr Krishna Khairnar, principal investigator and head of environmental epidemiology and pandemic management at CSIR-Neeri. Dr Khairnar coordinated this multi-institute project sponsored by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). The research was conducted in close collaboration with Dr Mahesh Dharne and Dr Syed Dastager from CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), showcasing an exemplary inter-institutional partnership between CSIR-Neeri and CSIR-NCL. The project investigated microbial communities from sediment samples collected over two years along a 250km glacier-fed stretch of the Ganges, spanning Gomukh to Rishikesh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The findings revealed a rich diversity of bacteria, archaea, and bacteriophages. Notably, several microbes were found to possess biosynthetic pathways for important antimicrobial compounds such as streptomycin, penicillin, and cephalosporins. The study also documented bacteriophages with lytic potential against pathogens, including the clinically significant ESKAPEE group, offering insights into the river's long-attributed non-putrefying properties. "This research reinforces the Ganges River's ecological and biomedical significance," said Dr Khairnar. "Its pristine upper stretch is a natural reservoir of microbial diversity with untapped potential to combat AMR — an urgent global health challenge." This research was conducted as part of the doctoral thesis of Rachel Samson, who is registered with the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). Her dedicated effort in sampling, sequencing, and analysis played a key role in uncovering this microbial landscape. Thanks to the National Mission for Clean Ganga, this initiative not only contributed to the scientific understanding of the river's unique properties but also lays a foundation for future bioprospecting, phage therapy, and environmental conservation efforts, Dr Khairnar said.
Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
BBMP launches Rs 2.9 crore initiative to feed stray dogs with chicken, rice
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has recently rolled out a scheme to provide daily nutritious meals to around 4,000-5,000 stray dogs across the city's eight zones. Branded 'Kukkir Tihar', the program is a one-year pilot, extendable by another year based on its success. The BBMP said the initiative is part of its larger 'One Health' program, which also includes vaccination and animal birth control (ABC) efforts. Civic officials said the program, estimated to cost Rs 2.8-2.9 crore annually, is aimed at curbing stray dog aggression, reducing bite cases – which currently range between 500 and 1,500 per month – and supporting rabies control efforts through better monitoring and vaccination. Under the scheme, each dog receives a meal weighing between 367 and 600 gram, comprising 150 gram of chicken, 100 gram each of rice and vegetables, 10 gram of oil, and a pinch of salt and turmeric, delivering 465-750 kilocalories per serving. These meals are prepared in centralised FSSAI-registered kitchens equipped with CCTV surveillance and are distributed at 100-125 feeding points per zone before 11 am daily. The BBMP has invited tenders to onboard vendors for food preparation and for maintaining cleanliness around feeding spots. However, Tamil Nadu Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram and many local residents have questioned the BBMP's priorities, arguing that funds would be better spent on sterilisation, vaccinations, or building shelters. Others have pointed out that the city spends Rs 22 per dog per day on meals, while the per-day mid-day meal allocation for a schoolchild stands at Rs 12.42. 'Is this true? Dogs have no place in the streets. They need to be relocated to shelters, where they can be fed, vaccinated & sterilised. Feeding & keeping them in a free roaming state in the streets is a huge health & safety hazard,' Chidambaram wrote on X. Reacting to the criticisms, a BBMP official said, 'The feeding program will also help in tracking, vaccinating, and sterilising dogs as part of Bengaluru's goal to eliminate rabies by 2030. Additionally, regular feeding improves the dogs' overall health, reducing aggression linked to hunger and aiding sterilisation efforts.' Bengaluru has an estimated 2.79 lakh stray dogs, with over 16,000 dog bite cases reported in May 2025 alone.
