World Zoonoses Day

Post published:04/07/2021
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What is World Zoonoses Day?

World Zoonoses Day is held every year on July 6. The purpose of the World Zoonoses Day is to spread awareness of the risks of Zoonotic diseases.

A zoonosis is an infectious disease that transfers from a non-human animal to humans. Zoonotic pathogens may be bacterial, viral, or parasitic and can spread to humans through direct contact or food, water, or the environment. Ultimately, it becomes a pandemic. Right now, Coronavirus is the perfect example of Zoonosis.

World Zoonoses Day commemorates the work of Louis Pasteur, a French biologist who successfully administered the first vaccine against a Zoonotic disease on July 6, 1885.

Louis Pasteur

He was born on 27 December 1822 in France. He was a French chemist and microbiologist well known for his findings of the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation, and pasteurization. His efforts led to the development of vaccines for rabies and anthrax. He is well known as the “father of bacteriology” as well as the “father of microbiology”.

Pasteur proved that diseases could be prevented by killing or stopping germs. Thereby directly supporting his germ theory and its application in clinical medicine. He invented pasteurization, a technique of treating milk and wine to stop bacterial contamination. The molecular basis for the asymmetry of certain crystals and racemization is his notable discoveries in Chemistry. His investigation of tartaric acid resulted in the first resolution of what are now called optical isomers. His findings are one of the pillars of the current understanding of a fundamental principle in the structure of organic compounds.

Vaccine Development

Louis Pasteur was one of the first scientists to uncover the role of microorganisms in causing the disease and how illness could be prevented by vaccines.

While working on Chicken Cholera Vaccine, he introduced a term called “Attenuation”. He receives the credit for the development of the Chicken cholera vaccine, Rabies Vaccine, and anthrax vaccine. He died on September 28, 1895.

In 1885, a boy bitten by a rabid dog turned up at Pasteur’s door. Pasteur gave him a series of injections, and he survived. His report claimed that he had made 50 dogs immune to rabies before treating the boy.

Pasteur did not know about the immune system. According to his conceptions, vaccines worked by depleting in the host essential nutrients needed by the pathogen. Thus rendering the host unsuitable for further infection.

Prevention of Zoonotic Disease

One can prevent zoonotic diseases by following practices of good hygiene after handling animals or their waste. Washing hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water after any contact will help in the prevention of zoonotic diseases.