Arunachal Pradesh Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development (AHV&DD) Minister Gabriel D Wangsu has called for a united effort by government agencies, healthcare professionals, local bodies, and citizens to prevent zoonotic diseases and ensure a healthier and safer state. Speaking at the state-level observance of the World Zoonoses Day 2026 in Itanagar, Wangsu emphasized the importance of the ‘One Health’ approach in preventing zoonotic diseases. He highlighted that nearly 60% of infectious diseases affecting humans originate from animals, and about 75% of emerging infectious diseases have an animal source.
The minister also referred to the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated the urgent need for stronger collaboration among all sectors to prevent future public health crises. Wangsu inaugurated the animal birth control (ABC) centre in Ganga, which will play a crucial role in scientific stray animal population management, rabies prevention, and promotion of animal welfare in the capital region. He also virtually inaugurated the newly established ABC centre in Namsai, extending similar facilities to eastern Arunachal.
The minister released information, education, and communication (IEC) materials and launched a weeklong anti-rabies vaccination and animal birth control awareness campaign across the state. Wangsu administered the public pledge on responsible pet ownership, urging citizens to vaccinate their pets regularly, avoid abandonment of animals, and actively participate in building rabies-free communities. He emphasized that good health does not begin in hospitals alone, but in homes, farms, villages, and forests, where people, animals, and the environment coexist.
Protecting animal health is, therefore, protecting human health. The minister acknowledged the silent yet vital contribution of veterinarians, para-veterinary professionals, and field workers in safeguarding public health through vaccination, disease surveillance, food safety, emergency response, and livestock healthcare. He called upon citizens to become active partners in disease prevention, urging every pet owner to ensure annual vaccination of dogs and cats, never abandon pets, and seek immediate medical treatment in the event of an animal bite.
The programme featured technical presentations by experts on rabies prevention, zoonotic disease surveillance, implementation of the animal birth control programme, the Supreme Court guidelines on stray dog management, and integrated strategies for breaking the chain of rabies transmission through coordinated action. The programme was attended by AHV&DD Secretary YVVJ Rajshekhar and senior officers of the AHV&DD Department, Health Department, and the Itanagar Municipal Corporation, besides veterinary and medical professionals, scientists, representatives of partner organisations, students, and other stakeholders.
