Lok Sabha Question No. 3225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-17
Subject: Curbing Zoonotic Disease
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESEARCH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3225 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  DECEMBER, 2021

## CURBING ZOONOTIC DISEASE

## 3225. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is cognizant of the spread of zoonotic diseases through transmission of germs from animals to humans;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  major  cause  of  transmission  of  zoonotic  diseases  to  humans  is  animal  exploitation through  animal  farming,  destruction  of  natural  habitats,  livestock  associated  deforestation,  hunting and trading of wildlife etc, if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  plant  based  diets  and  lifestyles  referred  to  as veganism to reduce the threat of zoonotic diseases?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR

(a) & (b): Government monitors the spread of zoonotic diseases through the activities undertaken by Division of Zoonotic Diseases Programmes (DZDP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. National programmes implemented for prevention and control of zoonotic diseases are:

- i. Inter-sectoral Coordination for Prevention and control of Zoonotic Diseases (ISC)
- ii. National rabies control programme (NRCP)
- iii. Programme for prevention and control of leptospirosis (PPCL)

The  different  activities  conducted  through  the  national  programmes  for  prevention  and  control  of zoonotic diseases are:

- i. Training & capacity building to put emphasis on surveillance of different zoonotic diseases
- ii. Guidelines and technical support to the states
- iii. Surveillance of rabies and other animal bites
- iv. Laboratory strengthening for diagnosis of zoonotic diseases
- v. Information, Education, and communication (IEC) activities -development and dissemination of IEC materials to states
- vi. State and district level initiatives for intersectoral co-ordination for prevention and control of zoonotic diseases

(c): Main reason for transmission of Zoonotic diseases is close interaction between Animal and Human due to various activities. This includes a wide variety of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, parasites, and other pathogens.

d) : Under the National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonotic diseases, educational material on food borne zoonosis has been prepared and disseminated to states.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India  (FSSAI), through its Eat Right India movement and various  initiatives  there  under,  is  encouraging  people  to  eat  safe,  healthy  and  wholesome  food.  It focuses on dietary diversity and balanced diets including consumption of variety of whole grains and millets,  local  &  seasonal  produce,  reduced  consumption  of  salt,  sugar  and  saturated  fats,  eating fortified food etc.

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