This World Zoonoses Day Treat Animals Differently

If you are an animal lover, then there are chances that you come in contact with them in your daily lives. After all, it’s so hard to pass by and not have an urge to pet them, be it that cute puppy who greets you every morning while you leave for work, or be it that lazy cat at your office door who won’t let you pass until you offer her some treats. It’s that simple with animals, isn’t it? They just need our love and nothing else in return. 

However, it’s also important to protect yourself from possible diseases transmitted by them so that you can continue with animal welfare and help the voiceless in your own little way. Let’s discuss this further.

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What Is World Zoonoses Day All About?

World Zoonoses Day is observed to spread awareness about zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases or zoonoses are diseases transmitted from animals to humans through various bacterias, viruses, parasites, fungi, or unconventional agents that can come in human contact through water, food, or environment. These diseases are known for having painful and unusual symptoms that are often difficult to combat.

World Zoonoses Day is also celebrated to mark the success of the first rabies vaccination coming into action, which was administered by Louis Pasteur over 137 years ago. After witnessing a lot of deaths and lost lives to rabies, Louis Pasteur administered the rabies vaccination rabies on July 6th, 1885. 

List Of Zoonotic Diseases 

There are very few zoonotic diseases that people know about. Allow us to list a few of them for a much better understanding. 

• Rabies: Spreads from an infected animal bite and cannot be treated once symptoms start appearing.

• Blastomycosis: Caused by inhaling the spores of a fungus found in decaying wood or soil.

• Psittacosis: Spreads from pet birds and poultry birds.

• Trichinosis: Caused by roundworms and directly attacks human muscles.

• Bartonella henselae: Spreads from cat bites or scratches.

• Histoplasmosis: Caused by breathing in fungus found in bird or bat droppings.

• Coccidiomycosis: Caused by the fungus found in the environment.

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How Do We Prevent It?

• Wash your hands

It’s very crucial to wash your hands after you come in contact with an animal. It is a practice that one should follow even if they didn’t come in direct contact but were in close proximity to an animal. It significantly reduces the chances of transmission of diseases and helps one in staying healthy. Not just that, but it is also important to wash your hands properly, because diseases can still spread if hands are not being washed with soap and clean water. 

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• Carry a sanitiser at all times

If soap and clean water are not readily available, then a sanitiser always comes in handy. It kills the majority of germs; hence, reducing the chances of contracting zoonotic diseases. That is why it is advised to always carry a sanitiser.

• Wear fully covered clothing to prevent insect bites

All precautions should be taken to prevent yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes and other insects. Such organisms can prove fatal to your health and put you at great risk. If possible, wear covered clothing at all times. It makes it difficult for insects to penetrate those and come in direct contact with your body. Insect repellents can also come in handy to get rid of them in closed areas such as your home.

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• Store your food properly

If you have a pet at home, then it’s important to ensure that your food does not come in contact with them. One has to be very careful so that the food is stored in such a manner that the pet cannot reach it in any way possible. It is advisable to keep germs and bacteria away from the food you eat since it will directly affect your body without a catalyst.

• Avoid scratches or bites from your pet

Avoid scratches or bites from your pet at all costs because it can cause multiple animal borne diseases. Not just that, but avoid coming in contact with their saliva since it is also a breeding ground for zoonoses.

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• Get your pets vaccinated in time

It is very important to get your pet vaccinated in time. Consult a veterinarian to know how and when to get your pet vaccinated. It’s also crucial to follow up with future appointments since pets need vaccinations every few months. It not only takes care of their health and well-being but also prevents zoonoses from entering your system.

• Spread awareness

Last but not least, spread awareness about zoonotic diseases this World Zoonoses Day so that more and more people can follow the preventive measures and love animals wholeheartedly. Not a lot of people know about zoonoses due to lack of information. Rabies is one of the well-known diseases that people are careful about. The rest of the other animal borne diseases are not much talked about. So, let’s create awareness and save people.

What To Do In Times Of Crisis?

Zoonotic diseases often entail expensive treatment and subsequent medical care. If you know someone who is suffering from it and finding it difficult to afford the much-needed medical care, then all you have to do is start a fundraiser page to raise money for them. Several crowdfunding websites offer the opportunity to start a crowdfunding campaign for people in need, wherein kind and generous donors come forward to help their cause and provide them with life-saving treatment. You can click here to start the campaign right away and save a precious life.