Need to be prepared for emerging infections: Dr. Vardhan
The whole world is grappling with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is necessary to be prepared to deal with emerging and re-emerging infections in the future, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said on Monday. He made the remarks while chairing the Indian Council of Medical Research's international symposium "One Health in India: Research informing bio-safety, preparedness, and response."
Human health is linked to animals: Dr. Vardhan
Dr. Vardhan through a video conference launched a special issue of the council's Indian Journal of Medical Research, which discusses the One Health approach, the health ministry said in a statement. "With increased interaction between humans and animals, human health can no longer be seen in isolation. COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder of this fact," Dr. Vardhan was quoted as saying in the statement.
High-level steering committee for eco-health initiatives announced
Dr. Vardhan expressed hope that the steps envisaged would help avert the next pandemic and said the unwavering commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured that India not only withstood the crisis but also witnessed the most dynamic economic recovery worldwide. The commencement of the constitution of a high-level steering committee for eco-health initiatives in India was also announced, the statement said.
Humans interaction with animals has increased over the years
People are in closer and regular contact with wild and domestic animals, both as livestock and pets. It is a result of human population growth as well as the expansion of human habitation into new geographic areas. "Exotic food fetishes in many parts of the world and medicinal beliefs are driving increased human entry into the animal space in the wild," Dr. Vardhan said.
Animals can spread more than half of all infections
The movement of people, animals, and animal products has increased at the international level. As a result, diseases can spread quickly across borders and around the globe, unintentionally or otherwise, the minister said. This has led to the spread of existing or known (endemic) and new or emerging zoonotic diseases. More than half of all infections that people get can be spread by animals.
Zoonoses cause 2.5 billion cases of sickness every year
Each year around the world, it is estimated that zoonoses (diseases shared between people and animals) cause 2.5 billion cases of sickness and 2.7 million deaths. Dr. Vardhan noted that the symposium had experts cutting across disciplines and global thought leaders. The symposium is a start point for a broad-ranging, multi-stakeholder discussion and collaboration to secure better health for all on this beautiful planet.
