Posted On: 2023-07-07 11:17:50
Just a few years ago, the entire world came to a standstill due to a zoonotic disease, and everyone bore witness to the deadly potential of these kinds of viruses. Every single human being was trapped in a cage, and they came to know what it is like to be stuck with nowhere else to go.
However, Coronavirus is just one of the deadly zoonotic diseases, there are plenty that can be found in the wild. First observed in 2007, July 6 has been marked as an annual celebration of ‘World Zoonoses Day’, to raise awareness about the dangers of zoonotic diseases. The day was chosen as it coincides with the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s first vaccine against rabies, which was on July 6 1885.
In simple words, Zoonotic diseases are diseases spread by harmful germs that are carried by animals. The diseases can be transmitted through direct and indirect contact, vector-borne, foodborne, or waterborne. Some diseases like HIV, started as zoonotic but later mutated into human-only strains.
Zoonotic diseases can cause various symptoms like Diarrhea, Abdominal cramps, Poor appetite, Nausea, Vomiting, Pain, Fever, Body aches, Headache, Fatigue, Swollen lymph nodes, Skin lesions, scratches or bite marks. Sometimes disease severity can reach so high, that it can result in the death of the patient.
It is therefore advised to not handle a pet when you are immunocompromised, or in other words, have a weakened immune system. Exposure to animals, Improper care of pets, Contact with younger animals, and Contact with non-traditional pets and farm animals, are some other risk factors for developing zoonotic diseases. It is therefore said that agricultural workers are at more risk for developing zoonotic diseases.
Prevention is better than cure, so it is better to know some tips to prevent zoonotic diseases. It is important to not get a new pet when someone in your family is going through chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a bone marrow transplant. Pets should be vaccinated, and regularly taken for veterinary care. Their nails should be clipped, and their skin, coat, and teeth should be kept healthy.
It is also important to keep pets out of the kitchen. They should not be given raw food, or be allowed to drink from toilets or sinks. They should be given clean bedding and should not hunt in the wild. Children should not clean or dispose of any faeces, urine or vomit, and they should thoroughly wash their hands after handling pets. If someone is bitten or scratched by a pet or stray, clean the area with soap and water immediately, and consult a doctor.
Other precautionary methods include following proper hygiene, not touching anything marred with urine, faeces or vomit, and staying away from stray animals.
Filaantro recognizes the problem of zoonotic diseases and also raises funds for people battling zoonotic diseases. So, if you know any person battling zoonotic disease, feel free to start a fundraising page. You can also start a fundraiser for your pet.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Please share this with all your friends and family members to make them aware of the dangers of zoonotic diseases.
AUTHOR: Adil Sayyad
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