Rabies and Other Zoonoses

New Book

Rabies in Man and Animals

Author: Sudhi Ranjan Garg
Publisher: Springer
Publication year: 2014
ISBN 978-81-322-1604-9 (Print)
ISBN 978-81-322-1605-6 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-1605-6

Rabies is the deadliest zoonotic disease that threatens humans and animals on all continents except Antarctica. Asia and Africa are worst affected as more than 95 per cent of rabies associated human deaths occur in these regions. India alone bears about 36 per cent of the global human rabies burden. Dogs are the main transmitters of rabies that potentially threaten over 3 billion people in Asia and Africa. Many developed nations have been able to successfully control dog rabies but continue to face the risk from wildlife including bats. Bat rabies is responsible for most human rabies deaths in the United States of America and Canada but has emerged as a public health threat in Australia, Latin America and Western Europe as well. Despite being vaccine preventable, rabies continues to haunt the mankind. Poor resources is a major constraint but the factors like low priority attributed to rabies, misconceptions in the community about the disease and unsystematic approach for its prevention and control are also responsible for the grim situation. Targets have been set for elimination of human and dog rabies in all Latin American countries by 2015 and of human rabies transmitted by dogs in South-East Asia by 2020. However, the myths prevailing among the people together with inadequate knowledge of the health professionals, veterinarians, and the civic body staff about the rabies prevention and control strategies might make the task very difficult. This book comprising eight chapters elaborates the causation of rabies in man and animals, its global epidemiology, risk analysis and effective strategies for the management of exposures. Proven methods of rabies prevention and control have been discussed in length along with the challenges and ways to overcome the constraints through intersectoral coordination. The inclusion of 200 frequently asked questions is a unique feature of the book which may help not only the common people and pet lovers in clearing their doubts about rabies in man and animals also be equally instrumental in updating the knowledge and skills of the public health personnel, veterinarians and other professionals. Apt illustrations and simple language make the contents of the book easily comprehensible and a reading pleasure.

  New Books on Zoonotic Diseases

1. Zoonoses: Bacterial Diseases 
      ISBN: 978-93-5124-270-3
2. Zoonoses: Viral, Rickettsial and Prion Diseases 
      ISBN 978-93-5124-272-7
3. Zoonoses: Parasitic and Mycotic Diseases 
      ISBN: 978-93-5124-271-0

Edited by Sudhi Ranjan Garg
Publishing Year: 2014
Publishers: Astral International Pvt Ltd, New Delhi. www.astralint.com

Pathogens perpetuate by adapting themselves to a variety of environmental conditions and by moving from one infected host to another susceptible host. Many of these organisms affecting a large variety of animal species are also transmissible from these to man and vice versa. Such zoonotic pathogens circulating in animal population thus threaten not only animal health but also jeopardize public health. While developing countries including India are the hotspots of zoonotic diseases, developed nations too face a continuous threat from many emerging and re-emerging zoonoses. Predicting and controlling diseases at the human-animal interface is a huge challenge. Capacity building of individuals, groups, institutions, organizations and societies is essential to enhance their abilities in the area of surveillance, prevention and control of zoonotic diseases, agricultural development, food safety and food security. With One Health approach gaining momentum worldwide, integrated multidisciplinary coordinated approach assumes paramount importance in alleviating the sufferings and losses caused by zoonoses. 

This set of three books attempts to enrich all those having stake in the zoonoses control activities. Particular emphasis has been given to the risk analysis and strategies for zoonoses management in the developing nations. Equally useful to the students, teachers, researchers, academicians, policy makers and other professionals in the fields of animal health, public health, wildlife management and environmental health, these books will be a great tool for the professionals taking up advocacy, public awareness and health education programmes.