Unified approach- An integrated approach to health can prevent zoonotic spillover

Source: The post is based on the article “Unified approach- An integrated approach to health can prevent zoonotic spillover” published in “The Hindu” on 14th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

News: The article discusses another Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, its impact, previous outbreaks, the need for constant vigilance, and emphasizes adopting a “One Health” approach to consider human, animal, and environmental health together.

About Nipah virus in India

Origin: Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, transmitted from animals, especially fruit bats, to humans.

Outbreaks: Kerala, India, has witnessed four outbreaks in the past five years. The most severe was in 2018, where 21 out of 23 infected people died.

Current Situation: Kozhikode in Kerala is facing another outbreak. Two have died, and three more are infected.

Treatment: There’s no cure for Nipah; only supportive care is available in hospitals.

Cause: Expansion of agricultural activities into fruit bat habitats has been a contributing factor in these outbreaks.

How is Kerala responding?

Establishment of Control Room: A dedicated control room has been set up in Kozhikode to monitor the situation closely.

Hospital Protocols: All hospitals in the district are directed to follow strict infection control measures.

Containment Teams: Sixteen specialized teams have been formed to implement appropriate containment protocols.

Central Assistance: A central team has been dispatched to Kerala to support the state government’s efforts.

Communication: The state’s Chief minister has communicated through video, assuring the public of serious efforts to handle the crisis.

What should be done?

Address Root Causes: Consider addressing anthropogenic activities, like the expansion of agriculture into fruit bat habitats, which contribute to zoonotic spillovers.

Adopt One Health Approach: Embrace a comprehensive strategy that looks at the health of humans, animals, and the environment as interconnected.

Educate the Public: Raise awareness about the disease, its transmission, and preventive measures.

Collaborate with Neighbors: Work closely with neighboring states to ensure the virus does not spread across borders.