Man-animal conflict leads to an increase in Zoonotic diseases: Dr.Selvavinayagam
The Tamilnadu Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (TNDPHPM) has issued advisories this week about the various health scares prevalent in the state
Observing the World Zoonoses Day (July 6), Dr T.S. Selvavinayagam – Director of TNDPHPM) said that there has been an increase in zoonotic diseases over the years due to the increasing man-animal conflict. World Zoonoses Day is celebrated in honour of Louis Pasteur, who administered the first successful rabies vaccine, a zoonotic disease, on July 6, 1885. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about zoonoses – diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, and promoting preventive and control measures.
He explained that man-animal conflict has been caused due to deforestation and encroachment of animal habitats. The frequency, severity, magnitude and geographical area in which it will occur is only bound to increase. Apart from Rabies, Leptospirosis is a challenging zootic disease. One of the options to curb such diseases is controlling the animal population. In the case of Rabies, the government is taking steps to spay the dogs, but pet owners must also take the onus of vaccinating their dogs. Recently a child’s life was endangered when an unvaccinated dog mauled it, in Chennai.
In case of a bite by an unvaccinated dog:
- Clean the wound so that the virus is washed away;
- Vaccines are available at all PHCs throughout the state for free, 24*7;
- The vaccine is a 4-shot vaccine. Full protection will be obtained only if all the shots are taken.
On another occasion, speaking of the brain-eating amoeba case in Kerela, Dr Selvavinayagam explained, that the amoeba, Primary amebic meningoencephalitis, has not been reported in Tamilnadu till now, “The chances of it being reported is also very less.”
He explained that this disease can be caused if a person takes a bath in polluted water that has this bacteria. This is a single-point epidemic and it is not a communicable disease. To avoid such incidents, it is essential to take a bath in clean water and not in lakes and ponds, which have stagnant water. The border districts have been asked to ensure that people do not bathe in stagnant water. In swimming pools as well, super chlorinated water should be used, he said and added that the public need not panic about it.
