Bridging the Gap: One Health Approach to Combat Zoonotic Threats in India
Sanjay H. Vaghela
Research Associate, College of Veterinary Science & A.H., Kamdhenu University, Rajpur (Nava), Himmatnagar, Gujarat – Himmatnagar , Email ID: sanjuvaghela04@gmail.com
Introduction
Among the biggest hazards to world health in the twenty-first century are zoonotic infections, which are naturally spread from animals to humans. According to estimates from the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 75% of newly discovered pathogens and more than 60% of known infectious illnesses in humans are zoonotic. India is particularly vulnerable because of its various ecosystems, dense human populations and large livestock population (more than 536 million animals). The genesis and spread of zoonotic diseases are facilitated by close human-animal contact in rural and peri-urban regions, as well as issues including poor waste management, deforestation and fast urbanisation.
As a wake-up call, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how swiftly a zoonotic spillover can turn into a worldwide emergency. However, COVID-19 is just one example; over the past 20 years, India has faced numerous outbreaks of avian influenza, rabies, leptospirosis, brucellosis, Japanese encephalitis and Nipah virus. The One Health method is an example of the holistic viewpoint that acknowledges the interdependence of environmental, animal and human health in order to address these challenges. In order to promote coordinated prevention, surveillance and response methods, this framework goes beyond compartmentalised sectoral activities.
India’s Zoonotic Landscape
Numerous zoonotic pathogens are supported by the geographical and climatic variety of India. Nearly 20,000 people die from rabies each year, accounting for more than one-third of all rabies deaths worldwide and the majority of cases are connected to dog bites in rural areas, making it a perennial public health concern. Almost annually, outbreaks of avian influenza strike humans and poultry, causing millions of birds to be culled and farmers to suffer significant financial losses. Outbreaks of the Nipah virus in Kerala in 2018, 2021 and 2023 have shown how a single fruit bat-to-human transmission can result in high-fatality outbreaks in a matter of days. While leptospirosis epidemics follow floods in coastal and riverine regions, especially in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, brucellosis still affects livestock productivity and presents occupational risks to farmers, veterinarians and abattoir workers.
The distribution of vectors like flies, ticks and mosquitoes is changing due to climate change, which raises the possibility of vector-borne zoonoses like Kyasanur Forest Disease and Japanese encephalitis. Rat populations have grown as a result of urbanisation without proper sanitation, raising the risk of leptospirosis and plague. A local outbreak may have national or even worldwide repercussions due to globalisation and the commerce in cattle and animal products.
Why a One Health Approach is Critical for India
Human, animal and environmental health have all been treated as distinct fields in India’s traditional health systems. This has led to underreporting of zoonotic diseases in animals, which delays human health interventions, fragmented surveillance data, limited intersectoral coordination with veterinary and public health departments frequently working in parallel rather than jointly and missed opportunities for prevention through environmental management. Recognising that avoiding disease at the animal or environmental level is significantly more cost-effective than treating human instances after they occur, the One Health approach unifies these domains. For instance, mass dog vaccination is a more cost-effective, compassionate and efficient way to prevent rabies than treating thousands of people who are bitten by humans each year.
Bridging the Gaps Through One Health
- Intersectoral Collaboration:
In the past, the environmental, veterinary and human health sectors have operated independently, which has caused solutions to be delayed. Joint outbreak investigations, real-time data sharing and coordinated surveillance are all required by the One Health concept. With district nodal officers and operable state-level organisations, the National One Health Mission may be strengthened to guarantee prompt coordination. Effective global models, such as the US One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritisation Tool, can be modified to meet Indian requirements for resource allocation and danger ranking.
- Surveillance and Early Warning:
The key to preventing zoonotic infections from spreading extensively is early identification. Real-time data sharing, environmental monitoring, laboratory diagnostics and field-level reporting should all be incorporated into a strong surveillance system. This process has been transformed by modern technology, which allow for quicker, more precise and better-coordinated reactions. The time from detection to action has been greatly reduced by digital tools including drone-based environmental monitoring, AI-driven predictive modelling for risk assessment, SMS-based farmer reporting systems and GIS mapping for epidemic tracking.
Fig.1: An overview of modern approaches to improve surveillance of zoonotic diseases
(Zhang et al., 2024)
In this view, artificial intelligence (AI) is especially transformative. AI can spot tiny trends that could indicate an outbreak by examining large datasets from several sources, including animal monitoring, climate patterns and veterinary medical records. Additionally, machine learning algorithms can optimise resource allocation, forecast high-risk areas and facilitate quick decision-making in emergency situations.
Fig.2: An overview of the various applications of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in zoonotic diseases.
(Guo et al., 2023)
- Capacity Building:
Regular, practical training in zoonotic disease diagnosis, biosafety and outbreak management is essential for both human and veterinary healthcare personnel. A-HELP, ASHA and Anganwadi personnel, as well as para-veterinary staff, should be equipped with protective gear and fundamental illness recognition abilities. By providing ELISA, PCR and rapid field-testing kits to district labs, reliance on remote central labs will be lessened, allowing for quicker decision-making.
- Community Engagement:
Even the most effective surveillance systems will be ineffective without citizen involvement. Campaigns for behavioural change communication can deter risky behaviours such as drinking raw milk, disposing of animal carcasses improperly and handling sick animals without protection. While Panchayati Raj organisations can organise animal vaccination campaigns and farmer awareness programs, schools can incorporate zoonose awareness modules.
- Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
In addition to hastening animal AMR, excessive antibiotic usage in livestock agriculture directly endangers people. It can be beneficial to encourage the prudent use of antibiotics, enforce prescription-only rules and support probiotics, vaccinations and ethno-veterinary medicine as alternatives. The creation of herbal immune boosters for preventative care may result from cooperation with the AYUSH sector.
Case Examples and Success Stories
Kerala’s response to the 2018 Nipah outbreak, which included focused public messaging, coordinated tracking of human and animal connections and quick hospital isolation, stopped the outbreak from spreading across the country. The control program for brucellosis in Gujarat showed that combining farmer education with livestock immunisation can greatly lower incidence. Numerous localities have seen quantifiable reductions in rabies thanks to the National Rabies Control Programme and Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs, demonstrating that persistent efforts pay off.
Conclusion
In India, a complex interaction of social, agricultural and environmental factors leads to zoonotic illnesses. A straightforward, evidence-based method for filling in the gaps in detection, prevention and response is provided by the One Health approach. India can lessen its susceptibility to these dangers by enhancing surveillance, encouraging cooperation, empowering local people and fusing ancient wisdom with contemporary research. The future of the country depends on protecting the health of people, animals and the environment. Since all three sectors are at risk when one sector’s health deteriorates, there is an urgent need to take action right away.
References
Zhang, L., Guo, W., & Lv, C. (2024). Modern technologies and solutions to enhance surveillance and response systems for emerging zoonotic diseases. Science in One Health, 3, 100061.
Guo, W., Lv, C., Guo, M., Zhao, Q., Yin, X., & Zhang, L. (2023). Innovative applications of artificial intelligence in zoonotic disease management. Science in One Health, 2, 100045.
