Every year, millions of people across the globe fall prey to diseases like swine flu, bird flu, cat scratch fever, Nipah virus fever, rabies, leptospirosis, Lyme diseases, cowpox, Ebola, SARS, hantavirus, anthrax, monkeypox, etc. These illnesses are called zoonotic diseases. Zoonosis is derived from zōon "animal" from ancient Greek. These set of diseases are spread to people through contact with animals, hence the name. Warmer climes tend to create a change in the behaviour of vectors (animals who harbour dangerous pathogens like virus and bacteria). So as climate change sets in, we are all more at risk of zoonotic diseases than ever. This July 6 is World Zoonoses Day 2019. It has been observed since 1885 to mark the day Louis Pasteur administered his first rabies vaccine. On the occasion, let’s look at all the crucial ways in which we can prevent zoonotic diseases. Nipah Virus Is What We Get When We Disrespect The Ecology.

How Do Zoonotic Diseases Spread?

Zoonotic diseases are caused when animals carrying dangerous pathogens come in contact with humans. Animals are either hosts for the pathogen or infected by them. People interact with animals on a daily basis. Many keep pets or others depend on domesticated animals for livelihood.

Zoonotic illnesses (Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons)

In many cases, infected animals may look healthy. But they may be carrying disease-causing bacteria or virus. These infected animals can pass on the germs to people through the following ways:

Direct contact: Touching the animal and coming in contact with their mucous, urine, faeces or other bodily fluids. Sometimes, the germs are also spread when the animal bites or scratches the person.  Swine Flu: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment; Home Remedies To Prevent H1N1 Virus.

Indirect contact: Germs can spread to people if they come in contact with the places that the animals reside. Cleaning pens, sties, coops or kennels of the animals may also expose people to the germs.

Vectors: Sometimes, germs can also spread through the vector. Mosquitoes or ticks that carry the pathogen can infect humans through a bite.

Food: Eating undercooked meat, drinking unpasteurised milk, consuming unwashed fruits that may be bat-eaten or consuming raw eggs are some of the ways in which the pathogens enter the human body through food. Monkey Fever On The Rise: What is Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention.

Who Are at Risk of Zoonotic Infections?

According to the CDC, anyone can become sick from a zoonotic illness. But there are some who are particularly at risk. These include:

  • Senior citizens

  • Children below the age of five

  • People with a compromised immune system

How to Prevent Zoonotic Illnesses

Some basic rules should be followed to prevent zoonotic infections, especially if you deal with animals on a daily basis. For pet owners and people who keep animals as a source of livelihood, here are some of the rules to be followed:

  • Wash hands frequently or every time you come in contact with animals. Wash them even if you are around them, despite not touching them.

  • If soap isn’t available, keep alcohol-based sanitisers with you at all times. Use it from time to time.

  • Use mosquito nets and other insect repellents to keep vectors away.

  • Wash all your animal paraphernalia in antiseptic and use gloves when you handle them.

  • Wash your hands after handling their cages, toys, utensils or leashes.

  • Keep your pets healthy, vaccinate them, take them to the vet and deworm them.

  • Dispose of their bodily wastes properly. Do not under any circumstances touch animal faeces or urine with bare hands. Use gloves.

  • Pregnant women should be extra careful. Never clear the tray for cat litter.

  • Be careful while handling animals and take care they don’t bite or scratch.

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and ankle-length pants if there is a mosquito or tick infestation where you live.

  • Soak your feet in hot water and antiseptic after you wade through muddy waters. It's best to wear ankle-length boots if you must.

Zoonotic illnesses are raising concerns of health experts all over the world. Zoonotic pathogens have been claiming lives since the ancient ages. And if we don’t keep a check on them, they can wipe out humanity. The Black Death from the medieval ages is a testimony to that. Prevention is our best weapon.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2019 10:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).