H Sabbaghian,
Volume 1, Issue 3 (2-2006)
Abstract
Zoonoses are disease and/or infection naturally transmissible between vertebrate animals and humans. Emerging zoonoses are defined by the WHO/FAO/OIE joint consultation on emerging zoonotic disease held in Geneva, 3-5 may 2004 as "diseases which are newly recognized or newly evolved or that have occurred previously but show an increase in incidence or expansion in geographical, host or vector range". The number of emerging zoonoses has increased dramatically over the last few decades, with potentially serious human and economic impact worldwide. Many factors are behind the emergence of these zoonotic diseases. Intensive animal husbandry and changes in the production and distribution of food and other commodities, climatic and environmental changes, rapid transportation of human and animals, changes in life style and increased animal contacts are some of the factors that could introduce a new disease in a particular area. Viral infectious agents are more prone to mutation and sudden or gradual change and expansion to new geographical areas or hosts. In this article we briefly discuss some of the zoonotic diseases which may have potential health effects in Iran, such as avian influenza, West Nile viruses, Rift Valley fever, Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever, Sars, and Ebola Marburg hemorrhagic disease.
E Mostafavi, Gh Moradi, Kh Rahmani, F Jahanbakhsh, S Eybpoosh, M Keypour, E Ghaderi, H Erfani, K Hajibagheri, M Zeinali, M Khodabandehloo, M Shirzadi,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (6-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to present a summary of the rabies surveillance program in humans in the country, its achievements and its strengths and weaknesses.
Methods: This study was a review of the country's plan for surveillance and control of rabies in humans. The sources of information included the data, reports, documents, and published guidelines. The viewpoints of stakeholders and experts were also reviewed in this study.
Results: Since rabies is a zoonotic disease, its effective management requires a good collaboration between several organizations. Moreover, because Iran is located in an endemic region, there is a need for the development of regional and international cooperation for the success of disease prevention, control and management. Animal services for biting and rabies control are provided free of charge in more than 700 centers in the country. Major achievements of the program include timely preventive treatment for animal bite cases, knowledge of the geographical distribution of the disease, identification of high-risk provinces, and decreasing the percentage of human deaths.
Conclusion: The program has performed well for rabies secondary prevention. Some aspects of the program, however, still need to be improved, including improvement of educational programs targeting general population and high-risk groups, animal bite prevention, vaccination of domestic dogs, controlling the population of stray dogs, rabies control in wild animals, and proper waste collection and disposal.
