One Health Aims To Tackle Zoonotic Diseases in Vidarbha

thenewsdirt
Jun 12
6 min read

The One Health approach integrates human, animal, and environmental health to address complex health challenges, particularly zoonotic diseases, which account for about 60% of known infectious diseases and 75% of emerging ones.

This strategy fosters collaboration across sectors, including health, veterinary, and environmental departments, to prevent and control disease outbreaks.

In India, the approach has gained momentum following events like the COVID-19 pandemic and outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease and Avian Influenza.

The framework emphasises intersectoral coordination, integrated surveillance, research, data sharing, and capacity building. It also involves developing policies to support cross-sectoral cooperation. The World Health Organisation defines One Health as a strategy to optimise the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through sustainable collaboration.

In Vidarbha, this approach is critical due to the region’s biodiversity, agricultural economy, and history of zoonotic outbreaks.

The National One Health Mission, endorsed in 2022, involves 13 ministries, including Health, Animal Husbandry, and Environment.

This mission coordinates existing One Health activities, strengthens disease control, and promotes collaboration at the national, state, and district levels. It proposes forming State and District Level Zoonotic Committees to guide local efforts, a model relevant for Vidarbha’s districts.

Regional Context and Zoonotic Challenges in Vidarbha

Vidarbha, comprising 11 districts in eastern Maharashtra, includes Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, known for their rich biodiversity and agricultural activities.

The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur is a hotspot for human-wildlife interactions, increasing the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. The region’s dense human population and significant livestock numbers further heighten the potential for disease spread.

Vidarbha has faced notable zoonotic outbreaks, particularly the Chandipura virus, a sandfly-transmitted disease causing encephalitis, reported in the region from 2007 to 2012.

This outbreak affected multiple districts, highlighting the need for coordinated health interventions. The decline of vultures in areas like Tadoba, linked to diclofenac poisoning, has also contributed to health risks by leaving rotting carcasses that can spread diseases.

The National Institute for One Health in Nagpur, established by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), plays a central role in addressing these challenges. The institute conducts epidemiological surveillance of zoonotic diseases in Central India, including Vidarbha, and houses a Biosafety Level-IV (BSL-IV) facility for identifying novel pathogens.

Two collaborative research projects funded by ICMR and ICAR focus on zoonotic disease surveillance, using techniques like ELISA, PCR, and immuno-fluorescent assays. While these projects likely cover Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, specific details about local activities remain limited.

Dr. R. Lakshminarayanan, a senior official at ICMR, stated in a 2024 press release, “The National Institute for One Health in Nagpur is a game-changer for zoonotic disease research in Central India, fostering collaboration between medical and veterinary sciences.”

This underscores the institute’s role in driving regional efforts, though district-specific data on Chandrapur and Gadchiroli is sparse.

Collaborative Efforts in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli

The National Institute for One Health in Nagpur serves as a hub for coordinating zoonotic disease control in Vidarbha, but specific collaborative efforts in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli are not well-documented.

The institute’s work suggests that veterinary, forest, and health departments are beginning to align their efforts, particularly in response to regional zoonotic threats like the Chandipura virus and rabies.

Nationally, the One Health approach is exemplified by programs like the National Rabies Control Programme, which involves intersectoral committees at state and district levels. These committees bring together health, veterinary, and wildlife stakeholders to monitor dog bites, conduct mass dog vaccination campaigns, and provide post-exposure prophylaxis for humans.

In Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, similar committees could be established to address a broader range of zoonotic diseases.

The forest department in Chandrapur, responsible for managing Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, is positioned to monitor wildlife health, a key component of One Health. Wildlife surveillance, such as tracking diseases through non-invasive methods like faecal sampling, could help detect pathogens before they spread to humans or livestock.

The health department, through district hospitals, tracks human cases of diseases like rabies and leptospirosis, while the veterinary department monitors livestock and pets for diseases such as brucellosis and avian influenza.

The National One Health Mission’s framework encourages districts to form Zoonotic Committees to coordinate these efforts. In a 2023 report, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) noted, “District-level coordination is essential for effective zoonotic disease control, requiring active participation from all relevant sectors.” This suggests that Chandrapur and Gadchiroli could adopt such structures, leveraging Nagpur’s institute for technical support.

Community engagement is another aspect of One Health, with potential for implementation in these districts. Awareness campaigns could educate residents about zoonotic risks, safe animal handling, and the importance of vaccination.

Village panchayats could participate in surveillance and reporting, while community-based animal vaccination drives could reduce disease transmission. The NCDC’s National One Health Programme has strengthened 45 institutes nationwide for zoonotic disease testing, a model that could be extended to Vidarbha’s districts.

Environmental management is also critical, particularly in controlling vectors like sandflies, which transmit the Chandipura virus.

Sanitation efforts and water quality monitoring could prevent diseases like leptospirosis, prevalent in rural areas.

The forest department’s role in maintaining ecological balance, such as addressing the vulture decline, further supports One Health objectives.

Research and Future Directions

The National Institute for One Health in Nagpur is driving research on zoonotic disease ecology, with potential implications for Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. Studies on diseases like Chandipura virus and rabies, prevalent in Vidarbha, could inform local interventions.

The institute’s BSL-IV facility enables advanced pathogen identification, supporting collaborative research between universities, health departments, and veterinary institutions.

Data sharing is a key component of One Health, with the institute facilitating real-time exchange between sectors. Digital platforms for reporting and analysis could be implemented in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, ensuring seamless coordination.

The ICMR’s 2024 annual report highlighted, “Integrated data systems are critical for timely zoonotic disease response, a priority for the National One Health Mission.”

Training programs are another focus, with the institute offering workshops on One Health principles for health workers, veterinarians, and forest officials. Community health workers, such as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), could be trained to identify zoonotic disease symptoms, enhancing grassroots surveillance. Laboratory strengthening, including equipping district labs with diagnostic tools, is also underway, with Nagpur’s facility serving as a regional resource.

The National One Health Mission’s policy support, including alignment with programs like the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), provides a framework for resource allocation.

While specific funding for Chandrapur and Gadchiroli is not detailed, national initiatives could support local efforts. The mission’s emphasis on intersectoral collaboration offers a roadmap for these districts to build sustainable zoonotic disease control systems.

The challenges of coordination, resource constraints, and low community awareness persist, but national frameworks provide actionable solutions.

The NCDC’s 2023 guidelines recommend regular committee meetings, clear roles, and centralised digital platforms to address these issues, a model applicable to Vidarbha’s context.

Vidarbha’s unique blend of biodiversity, agriculture, and human population makes it a critical region for One Health implementation.

The efforts in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, though not fully documented, are part of a broader movement to integrate health systems and protect communities from zoonotic threats.

The work unfolding in Vidarbha reflects a growing recognition of the links between human, animal, and environmental health. As departments collaborate and research advances, the region stands at a pivotal moment in its fight against zoonotic diseases. The path forward lies in sustained efforts to bridge sectors and empower communities, ensuring a healthier future for all.