World Zoonoses Day: What is zoonoses and why is the day observed

The viral zoonoses are not easy to treat even though there are vaccines, antiviral drugs and therapies available for treatment. The use of herbal medicines and conscious diet practice can also help in treating the zoonosis disease. On the other hand, bacterial zoonoses diseases are treated by consuming antibiotics. However, the major challenge in treating the diseases under Zoonoses is the bacteria becoming drug resistant due to improper use of antibiotics, which might allow the zoonosis to be untreatable in the future.

July 6 has been recognised as World Zoonoses Day to commemorate the historic events of French biologist Louis Pasteur administering the very first dose of the vaccine against rabies on July 6, 1885. It was given to a little boy Joseph Meister, who was bitten by a rabid dog. This vaccine by Pasteur not only prevented the boy from getting rabies but also saved his life.

The World Zoonoses Day is observed to spread awareness regarding the infectious zoonotic diseases. It is also an important occasion to commemorate the contributions of Louis Pasteur and other scientists who invented many vaccines to combat zoonotic diseases. The day serves as an occasion to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases.