In News:

A recent study published in Science Advances has highlighted that over 9.3% of the world’s land surface is at high (6.3%) or very high (3%) risk of zoonotic outbreaks — diseases transmitted between animals and humans. About 3% of the global population lives in extremely high-risk areas, while nearly 20% live in medium-risk zones.

The study introduced a Global Epidemic Risk Index, combining country-specific zoonotic risk factors with national preparedness capacities, to help policymakers strengthen health systems, allocate resources effectively, and enhance global cooperation.

Disease Burden and Examples

• Zoonotic diseases account for 60% of all known infectious diseases and up to 75% of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs).
• Globally, they cause 2.5 billion cases and 2.7 million deaths annually.
• Examples: Rabies, anthrax, influenza (H1N1, H5N1), Nipah virus, brucellosis, tuberculosis, Ebola, SARS, MERS, and Covid-19.

Drivers of Spillover Events

• Climate Change: Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and water scarcity heighten risks by altering habitats and vector distribution.
• Land Use Change: Deforestation, urban expansion, and agricultural intensification increase human–animal contact.
• Transmission Routes:
  • Direct (e.g., avian influenza)
  • Food-borne (e.g., salmonella)
  • Vector-borne (e.g., West Nile virus)
  • Water-borne (e.g., cryptosporidiosis)

Regional Vulnerabilities

• Latin America: 27% of land at high risk
• Oceania: 18.6%
• Asia: 7%
• Africa: 5%

India’s Vulnerability

• An ICMR study (2018–23) found that 8.3% of all reported outbreaks (583 of 6,948) were zoonotic.
• Outbreaks peaked during June–August, linked to monsoon-driven ecological changes.
• The Northeast region accounted for 35.8% of reported zoonotic outbreaks.

India’s Initiatives

• National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): Mass vaccination to eliminate Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis.
  • Target: Control FMD by 2025 and eradicate by 2030.
• National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses (2013): Integrated surveillance and inter-sectoral coordination.
• Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023: Rabies vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs.
• Rabies Vaccination under ASCAD (Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme).

Global Initiatives

• Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC): Launched by IAEA (2020) for early detection and rapid response.
• World Zoonoses Day (6 July): Marks Louis Pasteur’s rabies vaccine in 1885.
• G20 Pandemic Fund: Financial support for strengthening preparedness and response.
• Global Early Warning System (GLEWS): A WHO–FAO–WOAH collaboration for coordinated zoonotic disease surveillance.

One Health Approach

The One Health framework recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It promotes collaborative, multisectoral strategies for sustainable disease prevention and response.