The "One Health" experience in India: A partnership among veterinarians, pysicians and other healthcare professionals in curbing Vector Borne Zoonoses

Kyasannur Forest Disease (KFD) is a tick borne viral disease first reported in Shimoga district of Karnataka, India. On January 6th 2015, the disease has spread to neighbouring state, Kerala and a forest guard from Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad who had disposed the monkey carcass was succumbed to the disease following confirmation of the disease from Manipal institute of virology. Spot surveillance of the area by Health department revealed 15 more fever cases among women working as fire line workers. Out of these twelve cases were confirmed to be KFD. A total of five panchayats have been affected in the district. On 10th February, 2015, a resident of Madappali tribal coloni died due to this disease. This is the first case of death due to Monkey fever in Kerala. Thereafter, a drastic increase in cases have occurred with a total of 102 confirmed cases and 11 deaths reported in total. One Health intervention led to the control of this disease which began with a multi-stakeholder workshop organized by Centre for One Health, Veterinary University, Kerala. Over a period of five months, a drastic decline in fever incidences and KFD cases were observed in all the five affected panchayats due to the collaborative One Health approach actively participated by different department under leadership of district administrator. This intervention led to nil KFD cases since July 2015.