World Zoonoses Day is observed every year on July 6. The day is observed to commemorate the first vaccination administrated against a zoonotic disease, rabies. Zoonoses or Zoonosis is an infectious disease that is mainly transmitted from animals to humans. Diseases like Avian influenza, Ebola and West Nile Virus are considered to be zoonotic diseases. The zoonotic pathogens can be viral, bacterial or pathogenic which can transmit into the body of humans through water, food or environment or through direct contact. Even recently, we have witnessed how the deadly coronavirus got spread from bats to humans and how it created major public health problems across the globe.

History of World Zoonoses Day

World Zoonoses Day celebrated the work of French Biologist Louis Pasteur, who successfully administered the first-ever vaccine against a zoonotic disease, rabies on 6 July 1885. The famous French Biologist administered the first-ever vaccine to Joseph Meister, who was attacked by a rabid dog. The first vaccination was given on July 6, 1885. Since then, the day is remembered to thank the creator of the first-ever vaccine.

The Theme of World Zoonoses Day 2021

This year’s World Zoonoses Day theme is “Let’s Break the Chain of Zoonotic Transmission.”

Significance of World Zoonoses Day

World Zoonoses Day has a lot of significance amid the ongoing pandemic. However, the day gives an opportunity to raise awareness and to educate the masses about the ill effects of zoonotic diseases that can spread between animals and people. Last year, on World Zoonoses Day, a report titled "Preventing the Next Pandemic: Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission" was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The report suggested that unless governments across the world take measures to prevent zoonotic diseases from infecting humans, the outbreaks will emerge further. The report has also warned that governments about future pandemics due to the spread of zoonotic diseases.

Further, to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases, raising awareness is extremely important. The regulation practices and monitoring associated with zoonotic diseases should be strengthened. And identifying the key sources of emerging zoonotic diseases is equally important to curb the spread.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2021 10:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).