World Zoonoses Day 2025, Theme, Zoonotic Disease List, Zoonotic Vs. Zoonosis Disease

World Zoonoses Day 2025 will be marked on July 6 to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases. It will highlight the theme, key infections, and why the One Health approach will be crucial.

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July 04, 2025

World Zoonoses Day 2025, Theme, Zoonotic Disease List, Zoonotic Vs. Zoonosis Disease

World Zoonoses Day: Every year on July 6, the world observes World Zoonoses Day, a crucial global health awareness initiative that underscores the importance of understanding, preventing, and controlling zoonotic diseases. These diseases, also known as zoonoses, are infections transmitted between animals and humans. 

With more than 75% of emerging infectious diseases originating from animals—such as COVID-19, rabies, Ebola, and avian flu—World Zoonoses Day serves as a reminder of the urgent need for a One Health approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health efforts.

Also Read: List Of International National Days 2025 Month-Wise List

World Zoonoses Day 2025

World Zoonoses Day 2025 is observed on July 6 to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases—those that spread between animals and humans. This day commemorates the pioneering achievement of Louis Pasteur, who administered the first successful rabies vaccine in 1885. 

World Zoonoses Day

Source: Wiki

The event serves as a vital reminder of the importance of disease prevention, the interconnectedness of human and animal health, and the global need for collaborative healthcare efforts under the One Health approach.

Also Read: List Of International National Days 2025 Month-Wise List

World Zoonoses Day 2025 Overview 
Particulars Details
Name of the Day World Zoonoses Day 2025
Date July 6, 2025
Purpose To raise awareness about zoonotic diseases and promote their prevention
Commemorates Louis Pasteur’s first successful rabies vaccination in 1885
Significance Highlights the risk of diseases transmitted between animals and humans
Theme (Expected) To be announced
Organizing Bodies WHO, ISID, FAO, OIE, and national health authorities
Key Focus One Health Approach, Vaccination, Disease Surveillance

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World Zoonoses Day 2025 Theme

While the World Zoonoses Day 2025 theme has not been officially declared, past themes such as “One World, One Health: Prevent Zoonoses” (2023) and “Preventing the Spread of Zoonotic Diseases” (2024) emphasised collaborative global health efforts. The 2025 theme is expected to follow a similar trajectory, strengthening the need for intersectoral cooperation to curb disease emergence.

Also Read: Important Days in July 2025

What Are Zoonotic Diseases?

The term “zoonoses” (plural of zoonosis) derives from the Greek words Zoon (animal) and Nosos (disease), meaning diseases transmitted between animals and humans. Zoonotic diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, or even prions.

World Zoonoses Day

Zoonotic is an adjective referring to any disease, pathogen, or condition that is capable of being transmitted between species. So, “zoonosis” is the disease, while “zoonotic” describes the type of disease.

What is the difference between zoonotic and zoonosis disease?
“Zoonosis” is the disease (e.g., rabies), while “zoonotic” is the adjective (e.g., zoonotic virus or zoonotic transmission).

Modes of Transmission

Zoonotic illnesses can be transmitted in various ways:

  • Direct Contact: Touching infected animals or their fluids (e.g., rabies).
  • Indirect Contact: Contact with contaminated environments or surfaces.
  • Vector-Borne: Transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks (e.g., Lyme disease, dengue).
  • Foodborne or Waterborne: Consumption of infected meat, milk, or water (e.g., salmonellosis, leptospirosis).
Read More: Important Days in July 2025

Classification of Zoonoses

Zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses, can be classified based on various criteria such as the type of pathogen, the animal species involved, and the mode of transmission. Understanding these classifications helps in better identification, management, and prevention strategies for zoonotic infections. Here are the main classifications:

1. Based on Type of Pathogen

  • Bacterial Zoonoses: Caused by bacteria. Examples: Anthrax, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis.
  • Viral Zoonoses: Caused by viruses. Examples: Rabies, Ebola, Avian Influenza, COVID-19.
  • Parasitic Zoonoses: Caused by parasites such as protozoa and worms. Examples: Toxoplasmosis, Echinococcosis.
  • Fungal Zoonoses: Caused by fungi. Examples: Ringworm.
  • Prion Diseases: Caused by infectious proteins. Example: Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (Mad Cow Disease).

2. Based on Animal Species Involved

  • Wildlife Zoonoses: Transmitted from wild animals. Examples: Hantavirus (rodents), Avian Flu (wild birds).
  • Domestic Animal Zoonoses: Transmitted from pets or livestock. Examples: Brucellosis (cattle), Cat scratch disease.

3. Based on Mode of Transmission

  • Direct Contact Zoonoses: Spread via direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids. Example: Rabies.
  • Vector-Borne Zoonoses: Transmitted through vectors like mosquitoes or ticks. Examples: Lyme disease, Dengue.
  • Foodborne/Waterborne Zoonoses: Acquired through consumption of contaminated food or water. Examples: Salmonellosis, Leptospirosis.
Also Read: List of International National Days 2025 Month-Wise

Causes and Risk Factors

Numerous human behaviours and environmental changes are accelerating the emergence of zoonotic diseases, including:

  • Encroachment into wildlife habitats
  • Unsanitary livestock practices
  • Wet markets and illegal wildlife trade
  • Global travel and climate change

WHO estimates that 60% of existing infectious diseases and 75% of new emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in nature.

Symptoms of Zoonotic Infections

Though symptoms vary, common signs include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Rash or skin infections
  • Headaches and muscle aches
  • Fatigue and respiratory symptoms

Early diagnosis is critical to prevent complications or transmission to others.

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India’s Initiatives to Combat Zoonoses

India has launched several policies and programs to tackle zoonotic threats:

  • National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): Targets Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis.
  • Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs): On-ground disease diagnosis and treatment.
  • National One Health Programme: Focuses on integrated disease surveillance.
  • Animal Birth Control Rules 2023: Emphasises anti-rabies vaccination and sterilisation of stray animals.
  • Vaccination Campaigns: Promotes immunisation of livestock and pets to prevent cross-species infections.

Zoonotic Diseases List

Zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses, are infectious diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites and can spread through direct contact, vectors, food, or environmental contamination. Understanding the wide range of zoonotic diseases is essential for effective prevention, control, and global health preparedness. 

Read More: Important Days in July 2025

Below is a comprehensive list of major zoonotic diseases, their causative organisms, primary reservoirs, and modes of transmission:

Zoonotic Diseases List
Disease Organism Main Reservoirs Usual Mode of Transmission to Humans
Anthrax Bacillus anthracis Livestock, wild animals, environment Direct contact, ingestion, inhalation
Animal influenza Influenza A viruses Pigs, other livestock, humans Direct contact
Avian influenza Influenza A viruses Poultry, ducks Direct contact
Bovine tuberculosis Mycobacterium bovis Cattle Unpasteurised milk, exposure to infected animals
Campylobacteriosis Campylobacter spp. Poultry, farm animals Direct animal contact, raw meat, milk
Cat scratch fever Bartonella henselae Cats Bite, scratch
Cowpox Cowpox virus Rodents Direct contact (often via cats)
Cryptosporidiosis Cryptosporidium spp. Cattle, sheep, pets Contaminated water, direct contact
Cysticercosis / Taeniasis Taenia spp. Cattle, pigs Raw/undercooked meat
Erysipeloid Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Pigs, fish, environment Direct contact, fomites, environment
Fish tank / Swimming pool granuloma Mycobacterium marinum Fish Contact with fish or contaminated water
Giardiasis Giardia spp. Humans, wildlife Contaminated water, ingestion
Haemorrhagic colitis & HUS Shiga toxin-producing E. coli Ruminants Direct contact, foodborne
Hantavirus syndromes Hantaviruses Rodents Aerosolised excreta
Hepatitis E Hepatitis E virus Pigs, wild boar, deer Undercooked animal meats
Hydatid disease Echinococcus granulosus Dogs, sheep Ingestion of eggs excreted by dog
Leptospirosis Leptospira spp. Rodents, ruminants Urine-contaminated water or direct contact
Listeriosis Listeria spp. Cattle, sheep, soil Dairy products, meat products
Louping ill Louping ill virus Sheep, grouse Direct contact, tick bite
Lyme disease Borrelia burgdorferi Ticks, deer, rodents, sheep Tick bite
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) LCM virus Rodents Direct contact
Orf Orf virus Sheep, goats Direct contact
Ovine chlamydiosis Chlamydia abortus Sheep, farm animals Direct contact, aerosol
Pasteurellosis Pasteurella spp. Dogs, cats, mammals Bite/scratch, direct contact
Psittacosis Chlamydia psittaci Psittacine birds, poultry, ducks Aerosol, direct contact
Q fever Coxiella burnetii Cattle, sheep, goats, cats Aerosol, direct contact, products of conception, fomites
Rabies Rabies virus and other lyssaviruses Dogs, bats, foxes, cats Bite or scratch
Rat bite fever Streptobacillus moniliformis Rats Bite/scratch, milk, water
Ringworm Dermatophyte fungi Many animal species Direct contact
Salmonellosis Salmonella spp. Poultry, farm animals Direct animal contact, raw meat, raw foods
Streptococcal sepsis (from pigs) Streptococcus suis Pigs Direct contact, meat
Streptococcal sepsis (from horses) Streptococcus zooepidemicus Horses Direct contact
Toxocariasis Toxocara canis/catis Dogs, cats Ingestion of eggs
Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasma gondii Cats, ruminants Ingestion of faecal oocysts, undercooked meat
Zoonotic diphtheria Corynebacterium ulcerans Cattle, farm animals, dogs Direct contact, milk
Alveolar echinococcosis Echinococcus multilocularis Foxes Ingestion of eggs
Brucellosis Brucella spp. Cattle, goats, sheep, pigs Dairy products, milk
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) CCHF virus Livestock, ticks Tick bite, direct animal contact
Ebola virus disease Ebola virus Unknown (possibly bats) Contact with infected wild animals
Glanders Burkholderia mallei Horse, donkey, mule Direct contact, fomites, contaminated food and water
Hendra virus infection Hendra virus Fruit bats, horses Exposure to body fluids
Kyasanur Forest disease Kyasanur Forest virus Rodents, shrews, monkeys Tick bite, animal contact
Lassa fever Lassa virus Multimammate rat Contact with rodent excreta
Marburg virus disease Marburg virus Bats Bat exposure
MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) MERS-CoV Dromedary camels Direct or indirect contact
Monkeypox Monkeypox virus Rodents Direct contact
Nipah virus infection Nipah virus Fruit bats Contaminated food, contact with infected pigs
Plague Yersinia pestis Rats, fleas Flea bite, scratch or bite from infected animal
Rift Valley fever Rift Valley fever virus Cattle, goats, sheep Mosquito bite, contact with infected animals
Tickborne encephalitis Tickborne encephalitis virus Rodents, livestock Tick bite, unpasteurised milk
Trichinellosis Trichinella spiralis Pigs, wild boar Raw or undercooked meat
Tularemia Francisella tularensis Rabbits, wild animals, ticks Direct contact, aerosol, tick bites
West Nile virus infection West Nile virus Wild birds, mosquitoes Mosquito bite
Yellow fever Yellow fever virus Monkeys Mosquito bite

One Health Approach (Future of Zoonotic Control)

The One Health approach integrates human health, animal health, and environmental health sectors to combat zoonotic disease outbreaks effectively.

World Zoonoses Day 2025 reinforces this concept by encouraging:

  • Collaborative research and data sharing
  • Joint risk assessments at national and global levels
  • Capacity building and community engagement

World Zoonoses Day

Source: cdc.gov

Also Read: List Of International National Days 2025 Month-Wise List

International Collaboration and Training

WHO’s OpenWHO platform offers free courses that educate health professionals worldwide on operationalising One Health strategies to combat zoonoses. These include training on:

  • International health frameworks
  • The Tripartite Zoonoses Guide
  • Joint Risk Assessment tools for early outbreak detection

Why World Zoonoses Day Matters

World Zoonoses Day 2025 is not just a symbolic event. It’s a timely reminder of:

  • The public health threat posed by zoonoses
  • The need for international cooperation
  • The importance of science and innovation, as exemplified by Louis Pasteur’s historic vaccine
  • The growing relevance of One Health in the post-COVID world

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Conclusion

World Zoonoses Day 2025 is not just a date on the calendar—it’s a reminder that our health is intricately linked with the animals and environments around us. With zoonotic diseases posing a growing global threat, especially in the wake of pandemics like COVID-19, promoting scientific collaboration, responsible human behaviour, and the One Health approach is essential for a safer, healthier future.

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World Zoonoses Day FAQs

World Zoonoses Day is observed on July 6 to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases and promote health measures to prevent transmission from animals to humans.

The World Zoonoses Day 2025 theme is yet to be officially announced. Past themes have emphasised global cooperation under the One Health framework.

Zoonoses refer to infectious diseases that can spread between animals and humans, caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi.

Zoonotic diseases include rabies, brucellosis, Ebola, and avian flu—diseases that originate in animals and can infect humans directly or indirectly.

Zoonosis is the disease itself, while zoonotic is the adjective describing diseases or transmission involving both animals and humans.

Yes. The zoonotic diseases list includes anthrax, rabies, salmonellosis, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and avian influenza, among others.

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