Tura, July 7: Speakers at the World Zoonoses Day Tura have called to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases, which are infections that originate in animals and can be transmitted to humans.

The annual event on July 6, commemorates the anniversary of the first rabies vaccine administered by Louis Pasteur in 1885.

World Zoonoses Day was celebrated at the College of Community Science, Tura on Saturday in the College of Community Science in the presence of Dr. Pawan Tiwari.

Dr. Pawan Tiwari emphasized that swine flu, rabies or bird flu a large number of diseases have their origin in animals, which can be fatal for humans.

The objective was to educate and create awareness about diseases like rabies, Lyme disease, Ebola, SARS, COVID-19, and swine flu, which can have a devastating impact on public health, economies, and livelihoods. By acknowledging the risk of zoonotic diseases, we can work towards preventing and controlling their spread.

The program was attended by faculties and staff of CCS and MTTC&VTC, Tura.

Last year, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma launched the Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases Research and Training Center. The centre with other experts will combine their multidisciplinary expertise in public health, clinical medicine, veterinary sciences, laboratory methods, and social sciences to improve understanding of key Zoonotic and vector-borne diseases (ZVBD) which are major causes of morbidity and mortality globally.

The danger of zoonotic diseases is there in Meghalaya as a study had found the first report of human brucellosis in the northeast region of Meghalaya.

The findings showed an overall seroprevalence of 11.37% in the region. Among the two regions, Ri-Bhoi and East Khasi Hills, the seropositivity of brucellosis was found to be 19.04% and 12.42%, respectively.

Brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by gram-negative bacteria belonging to the genus Brucella. In humans, occupational contact with infected livestock along with consumption of raw and unpasteurized milk products has been regarded as a significant risk factor for brucellosis

“Risk factors such as meat consumption were significantly linked with brucellosis. Further epidemiology studies are warranted in such regions of endemicity to determine accurate estimates of prevalence and risk factors and to study Brucella biovars for appropriate policymaking and advocacy and awareness regarding brucellosis in Northeast India” the study found.

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