When Did World Zoonoses Day Begin? Understand Its Purpose — Awareness That Could Save Your Life

World Zoonoses Day is observed every year on July 6. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about zoonotic diseases, illnesses that can spread from animals to humans, and sometimes vice versa—and to promoting preventive measures to combat them. These diseases may be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 60% of human diseases are zoonotic, posing a significant global health risk. In 2025, the relevance of World Zoonoses Day has grown even further, especially after pandemics like COVID-19, which drew worldwide attention to the dangers of zoonotic diseases.

What Is Zoonosis and Why Is It Important?

The word zoonosis is derived from Greek—“zoon” meaning animal and “nosos” meaning disease. It refers to diseases that are transmissible between animals and humans. Transmission can occur through direct contact (such as bites, saliva, blood, urine, or feces) or indirectly through contaminated food, water, or the environment. Some diseases are also spread by vectors like mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks.

The goal of World Zoonoses Day is to educate the public about these diseases and promote prevention strategies. Zoonoses affect human health, animal health, and the environment—making them a One Health concern.

Zoonotic outbreaks can also severely impact agriculture and food production. For example, an outbreak could halt the trade of animal products, leading to economic losses. WHO reports that approximately 1 million people die each year due to zoonotic diseases, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In 2025, this day holds even greater urgency, highlighting the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

History of World Zoonoses Day

The origins of World Zoonoses Day trace back to July 6, 1885, when French biologist Louis Pasteur successfully administered the first vaccine against rabies—a deadly zoonotic disease primarily spread through dog bites. Pasteur saved the life of a nine-year-old boy named Joseph Meister, marking a milestone in medical science and laying the foundation for combating zoonotic diseases.

To commemorate this achievement, World Zoonoses Day has been observed every year since 2007 on July 6. The day honors Louis Pasteur’s contribution and serves as a global platform to raise awareness, encourage research, and promote cooperation to fight zoonotic threats.

In 2025, the theme is “One World, One Health — Preventing Zoonoses”, emphasizing cross-sectoral collaboration among human health, veterinary science, and environmental protection.

Types of Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonotic diseases can be classified based on the type of pathogen:

• Viral Zoonoses: Caused by viruses. Examples include rabies, Ebola, swine flu, bird flu, Nipah virus, and COVID-19 (believed to have originated in bats).
• Bacterial Zoonoses: Caused by bacteria such as anthrax, brucellosis, and salmonellosis. For instance, brucellosis spreads from cattle, sheep, or dogs and causes fever, weakness, and body pain in humans.
• Fungal Zoonoses: Caused by fungi, like ringworm, which spreads from animals to humans.
• Parasitic Zoonoses: Caused by parasites such as toxoplasmosis, often transmitted from cats to humans.
• Vector-Borne Zoonoses: Spread by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, or fleas, e.g., dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus.

In India, common zoonotic diseases include rabies, scabies, swine flu, dengue, and Nipah virus.

How Zoonoses Spread

Zoonotic diseases spread through various mechanisms:

• Direct Contact: With infected animals’ saliva, blood, urine, feces, or body fluids. (e.g., rabies from dog bites)
• Indirect Contact: Through contaminated surfaces, food, or water. (e.g., salmonellosis from undercooked meat or eggs)
• Vector-Borne Transmission: Via bites from infected insects like mosquitoes or ticks. (e.g., dengue, malaria)
• Airborne Transmission: Some diseases like avian influenza (bird flu) can spread through the air.

Zoonoses can spread from domestic, wild, or farm animals. There’s also reverse zoonosis, where humans transmit diseases to animals—COVID-19 has been observed in some pets due to human contact.

Objectives of World Zoonoses Day

The primary aim is to spread awareness about the threats posed by zoonotic diseases. The day seeks to educate people on:

• Causes
• Symptoms
• Prevention strategies

It also promotes research, surveillance, and interdisciplinary cooperation. The One Health approach—addressing human, animal, and environmental health together—is at the core of this campaign.

In 2025, numerous global awareness initiatives will take place. In India, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying plans to lead awareness drives. These will include:

• Vaccination campaigns
• Hygiene promotion
• Animal health checks

NGOs and local communities will also participate in these efforts.

How to Prevent Zoonotic Diseases

Preventive steps include:

• Maintain Hygiene: Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling animals.
• Vaccinate Pets: Ensure regular vaccinations, especially against rabies.
• Avoid Contaminated Food/Water: Do not consume undercooked meat or unclean water.
• Protect Against Insects: Use mosquito nets and repellents to prevent bites from mosquitoes or ticks.
• Avoid Wild Animals: When venturing into forests, wear protective clothing and stay clear of wildlife habitats.
• Regular Veterinary Checkups: Get your pets and farm animals examined regularly.

These precautions can greatly reduce the risk of zoonotic infections.

Global and Indian Context of Zoonoses

Zoonotic diseases are a major global health concern. According to WHO, 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic. COVID-19 is a prime example of the devastating global impact such diseases can have. A 2020 report by the UNEP and the International Livestock Research Institute stated that 70% of zoonoses remain unknown.

In India, zoonotic diseases are a serious public health challenge. Rabies is the most prevalent, claiming thousands of lives annually. Other diseases like dengue, malaria, Nipah virus, and swine flu also occur regularly. The risk is higher due to dense population, high livestock dependence, and close contact with animals, especially in rural areas.

Activities for World Zoonoses Day 2025

Globally, 2025 will see:

• Awareness drives
• Vaccination camps
• Sanitation campaigns
• Educational programs

In India, government and NGOs will organize events with veterinarians, doctors, and environmental experts participating.

Under the theme “One World, One Health”, emphasis will be on how human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected. Social media will be used widely to educate the public on zoonoses.

World Zoonoses Day 2025 is a vital platform to raise awareness and promote action against zoonotic diseases. The day honors Louis Pasteur’s groundbreaking achievement and inspires us to maintain a balanced relationship between health, environment, and animal welfare.

Symbols like Rampur’s cracked tombstones and perforated thrones serve as metaphors for caution and responsibility. Zoonoses are a global challenge, and overcoming them demands collective effort.

Through hygiene, vaccination, research, and the One Health approach, we can control zoonotic diseases and build a healthier world for all.