Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Jammu Sher Singh today reviewed the rabies and Dengue Control preparedness of the district here at joint meeting of District Zoonosis Committee-cum-District Steering Committee for Rabies Control and a review meeting to assess the prevailing dengue situation and preparedness in the district.

At the outset, the District Surveillance Unit gave a presentation on the "One Health" approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, and briefed the meeting on the status of rabies, dengue and other diseases, along with the preventive and control measures being undertaken by the concerned departments.

Addressing the meeting, the ADDC underlined that zoonotic and vector-borne diseases can be tackled effectively only through sustained inter-departmental coordination cutting across the Health, Animal Husbandry, Local Bodies, Rural Development and Education sectors. He called for adoption of the "One Health" approach in letter and spirit and stressed on joint prevention rather than reliance on treatment alone.

The ADDC directed the departments to strengthen surveillance, ensure timely information-sharing and evolve a transparent monthly reporting mechanism so that outbreaks and disease exposures are acted upon at the earliest. He also laid emphasis on intensifying IEC activities to enhance public awareness on prevention of rabies, dengue and other diseases.

The meeting was attended by District Health Officer Dr Sophia Jan, Chief Planning Officer Ajaypal Singh, Assistant Commissioner Development Danish Rasool, besides other officers and representatives from various concerned departments.