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Last Updated: 12th April, 2021 23:33 IST
Dr Harsh Vardhan, talking how human health could not be seen in isolation anymore, stressed on the need of 'One Health' approach, especially during COVID.
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On Monday, April 12, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that human health could not be seen in isolation anymore especially in an era where interaction between humans and animals has only increased. He further added COVID-19 as an appropriate example for the aforementioned apparatus between humans and animals today.
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According to Dr. Vardhan, no human can currently exist in vacuum, thus compelling 'One Health' approach. He released the journal of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)'s 'One health' symposium.
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"The present international symposium is focused on 'One Health' approach which recognises that the health of people is closely related to the health of animals and our shared environment," he said. He talked about the rapid spread of novel pathogens as demonstrated by COVID-19 and how it can have significant impact on the global economy.
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Causes of infectious diseases between 1973 and 1994
He elucidated that 64 per cent of all infectious diseases which have emerged between 1973 and 1994 had aetiology which was zoonotic in nature. A lot of contributory factors were explained and highlighted by the Union Health Minister.
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He further explained how -
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- people in closer and regular contact with domestic as well as wild animals,
- changes in climatic conditions of the Earth,
- deforestation, intensive farming,
- increase in population,
- human habitation into new geographic areas
should be understood in order to shape the overall health landscape. A high-level committee for such eco-health initiatives will be constituted and shall be supported by the upcoming National Institute for One Health.
Dr Harsh Vardhan also warned about India being one of four global hotspots where a huge risk of emergence of infectious zoonotic diseases, drug resistance and foodborne infections exists. This approach is recognised as vital in the wake of a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The 'One Health' is an approach working at local, national, and global levels – to achieve optimal health and well-being outcomes recognizing the interconnections between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
Quick Links
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Please see MONOGRAPH in Veterinaria Italiana
“One Health – One Medicine”: linking human, animal and environmental health
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History of the One Health Initiative team and website (April 2006 through September 2015) and the One Health Initiative website since October 1, 2008 … revised to June 2020 and again to date February 2021
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Vaccines for zoonoses: a One Health paradigm
SciTech Europa Quarterly (March 2018) – Issue 26
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Pan European Networks SciTech Europa Quarterly
SciTech Europa Vaccines for zoonoses: a one Health paradigm – Pages 227-229 (Read PDF) “One of the One Health Initiative team’s co-founders and leaders is an internationally-recognized eminent physician…
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