Itanagar, Jul 6: Arunachal Pradesh Minister for Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development, Gabriel D Wangsu, on Monday called for collective action by government agencies, healthcare professionals, local bodies and citizens to strengthen the One Health approach for preventing zoonotic diseases and ensuring a healthier and safer Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing the state-level observance of World Zoonoses Day 2026 at Pare Hall, DK Convention Centre in Itanagar, organised by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development, the Minister stressed the need for coordinated efforts to tackle diseases transmitted between animals and humans.
Earlier in the day, Wangsu inaugurated the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre at Ganga, Itanagar, aimed at scientific stray animal population management, rabies prevention and animal welfare. He also virtually inaugurated a newly established ABC Centre at Namsai to extend similar services to eastern Arunachal Pradesh.
On the occasion, the Minister released Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and launched a week-long Anti-Rabies Vaccination and Animal Birth Control Awareness Campaign across the state.
He also administered a public pledge on responsible pet ownership, urging citizens to vaccinate their pets regularly, avoid abandoning animals and support the creation of rabies-free communities.
Highlighting the significance of World Zoonoses Day, Wangsu recalled the successful administration of the world's first rabies vaccine by Louis Pasteur on July 6, 1885, describing it as a landmark achievement in disease prevention.
"Good health does not begin in hospitals alone. It begins in our homes, farms, villages and forests—where people, animals and the environment coexist. Protecting animal health is, therefore, protecting human health," he said.
Referring to the growing threat of zoonotic diseases, the Minister noted that nearly 60 per cent of infectious diseases affecting humans originate from animals, while around 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases have an animal source. He said the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of stronger collaboration among different sectors to prevent future public health emergencies.
Emphasising the One Health approach, Wangsu said veterinarians, doctors, environmental experts, municipal authorities and communities must work together to effectively address zoonotic diseases.
He also acknowledged the contribution of veterinarians, para-veterinary professionals and field workers in vaccination, disease surveillance, food safety, emergency response and livestock healthcare.
Calling on citizens to actively participate in disease prevention, the Minister urged pet owners to ensure annual vaccination of dogs and cats, avoid abandoning pets and seek immediate medical attention in the event of animal bites.
He also appealed to farmers to promptly report unusual illnesses in livestock and encouraged communities to support humane stray animal management through scientific Animal Birth Control and anti-rabies vaccination programmes.
The programme featured technical presentations on rabies prevention, zoonotic disease surveillance, implementation of the Animal Birth Control Programme, Supreme Court guidelines on stray dog management and integrated strategies for breaking the chain of rabies transmission.
Among those present were YVVJ Rajshekhar, Secretary, senior officials of the Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development Department, Health Department, veterinary and medical professionals, scientists, representatives of partner organisations, students and other stakeholders.
The observance reaffirmed the state government's commitment to strengthening disease surveillance, expanding anti-rabies vaccination coverage, promoting responsible pet ownership, improving veterinary healthcare infrastructure and implementing humane Animal Birth Control measures under the One Health framework, officials said.