World Zoonoses Day was observed on July 7 at the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) Conference Hall in Dimapur, with the theme “Preventing future pandemics.” The programme was attended by medical officers under CMO Dimapur.
State Programme Officer (SPO) Kohima, Dr. Nyan, spoke on the current rabies situation in Nagaland, especially in Dimapur. He stressed the importance of adopting the “One Health” concept, which recognises the connection between human, animal and environmental health.
He said many zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, are a result of human interference with nature.
Dr. Nyan pointed out that rabies is a notifiable disease and must be reported to health authorities. He shared that since the launch of the state rabies programme in 2022, most dog bite victims are children below 10 years, with 80% of the cases involving unvaccinated pet dogs. From January to March 2025, Dimapur alone reported 211 dog bite cases, of which 209 were caused by stray dogs. He noted that many people fail to take necessary post-bite precautions, increasing the risk of infection.
SPO (IDSP), Dr. Nyanthung Kikon, highlighted the National Rabies Control Programme’s (NRCP) goal of zero rabies deaths by 2030. He said rabies vaccines and anti-venom are being made available in all government health centres.
DLDO Dimapur, Vikeshe, spoke about past pandemics and zoonotic spillovers, citing factors like deforestation, wildlife exploitation, and climate change as contributors to new outbreaks.
District Hospital Dimapur nodal officer-NRCP, Dr. Molu Ozukum, spoke on preventing future pandemics and the clinical management of rabies, scrub typhus, and Japanese Encephalitis.
The meeting was chaired by DPO, Dr. Kavito Zhimomi. CMO Dimapur, Dr. Yartenla Jamir, delivered the welcome address. Participants agreed to work on a joint action plan to improve disease surveillance and early outbreak detection.