An awareness programme to observe World Zoonoses Day was held today in Aminda Simsang village conducted by the ICAR-KVK, West Garo Hills.
World Zoonoses Day is observed annually to create awareness amongst people about zoonotic diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans and become major global threat to public health and animal welfare.
The programme which was attended by 30 villagers was to prepare them, especially the livestock farmers, to overcome and combat many common Zoonotic diseases like Rabies, Tubercullosis, Malaria, Dengue, etc.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 61 per cent of all human diseases are zoonotic in origin, while 75 per cent of new diseases discovered in the last decade are zoonotic.
People can get zoonotic diseases from direct contact with infected domestic animals, poultry, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other wild animals. A common way for these diseases to spread is through the bite of a mosquito or tick. The recent pandemic COVID-19 is caused by the virus SARS-COV2 which is believed to have started in Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan.
The day was also observed by the College of Community Science, Tura wherein Organizing Secretary of Vidya Bharati, NE Dr. Pawan Tiwari attended the programme as the chief guest.
Tiwari in his address stressed on zoonotic diseases that are fatal and said the power to prevent outbreaks, protect vulnerable populations and build a healthier and more resilient world lies with humans.
Later, he visited the bio-fertilizer production unit at MTTC&VTC, Laboratories in the Department of Food and Nutrition & Department of Textiles and Apparel Designing of the college.
