Ivory Tower: Silent threat of parasitic zoonoses in our food chain
Zoonotic diseases, those that spread between animals and humans, are not new to us. From historical plagues to recent pandemics like Covid-19, such infections have always posed serious health risks.
And today, as human-animal interactions increase through farming, urban development and pet ownership, the danger continues to grow.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60 per cent of known infectious diseases in humans and 75 per cent of new ones come from animals.
While bacterial and viral zoonoses often make headlines, parasitic zoonoses remain quietly dangerous. These parasites—though less visible—can lead to chronic illnesses, birth defects, neurological issues and even death. Children, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals and rural communities are especially vulnerable. Beyond health, these diseases impact livestock, food safety and trade, bringing economic losses and increased healthcare costs.
At the Centre for One Health, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, researchers have recently uncovered unsettling data. Trichinella spp., a zoonotic parasite, was detected in 1.26 per cent of slaughtered pigs in northern India. Worryingly, species like Trichinella britovi and Trichinella nelson, never reported in the region before, were identified.
Another parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, was found in 6.7 per cent of slaughtered pigs and 1.5 per cent of small ruminants meant for human consumption, with some areas in Punjab showing a prevalence as high as 8.2 per cent. Also, Taenia solium, which causes neurocysticercosis (NCC) in humans—a major cause of epilepsy—was found in 3.69 per cent of local pigs and 8.77 per cent of pigs brought in from nearby states.
These findings point to a larger issue: our food chain is becoming a carrier of neglected parasitic threats. If not addressed, they could grow into a full-scale public health crisis. The burden is already being felt, NCC-related epilepsy alone leads to annual losses of Rs 12.03 billion and over 2 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in India.
Dr Deepali Kalambhe from the Centre for One Health emphasises the urgency, “These parasites are often overlooked but have serious consequences for both human and animal health.”
The transmission routes are simple yet dangerous: consuming undercooked meat, unwashed fruits or vegetables, contaminated water or milk, or contact with infected animals or their waste.
Fortunately, prevention is within reach. Thorough cooking, hand hygiene, proper washing of food, regular deworming, meat inspections and stronger coordination between public health and veterinary systems can significantly reduce risk.
Experts say the way forward lies in a One Health approach, a collaborative effort that links human health, animal health and environmental stewardship. Strengthening cross-disciplinary surveillance, investing in research on neglected parasites and raising community awareness are key to early detection and containment. With India’s growing demand for animal-based food products, integrating One Health principles into policymaking isn’t just smart science, it’s essential for building long-term resilience against future zoonotic threats.
Dr JPS Gill, Vice Chancellor of GADVASU, sums it up, “Parasitic zoonoses may be invisible, but they are significant. Addressing them is a social responsibility, we must act before these silent invaders become loud emergencies.”
Ludhiana