Assam: Death of leopards from parasitic disease poses another threat to humans

The death of leopards due to babesiosis, a malaria-like parasitic disease, in the Manas National Park, Assam, has posed another threat to the public health amid the coronavirus outbreak since the wild cats can transmit diseases like Toxoplasmosis and Feline Distemper Virus, Leptospirosis to human.

This has come to light amid the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected 1672 and claimed four lives in the state so far. However, the reason for the recent death of a leopard is yet to be ascertained, said Dr. K. Basumatary, C. Hom, IM, Antimicrobial Stewardship (World Health Organisation).

He further added that wild cats can transmit diseases like Toxoplasmosis and Feline Distemper Virus, Leptospirosis to human. “It may create big public health issue,” he said.

Also read: 'African Swine Fever' has Killed 2,484 Pigs across Assam, Confirms Minister Atul Bora

Babesiosis is caused by infection with the eukaryotic parasite Babesia, an alveolate in the phylum Apicomplexa. This disease is infected by the bites of ticks.

Meanwhile, a number of wild boars died due to suspected African Swine Fever in Pachiaghat area in Arunachal Pradesh. This has posed threat to public health, said Basumatary.

He further addede that the pathogenicity of recent outbreak of African Swine Fever in Assam can result in 100 percent mortality of domestic pigs and 60 percent of wild boar.

The Swine fever is caused by bites of argasid tick having double-stranded DNA virus of genus Asfivirus. It is a hemorrhagic disease.

On May 3^rd, 2020, Atul Bora, the Assam Minister for Agriculture and Veterinary, said a total of 2,484 pigs in 306 villages across Assam died due to the African Swine Fever.

Amid conjecture that the recent outbreak of the African Swine Fever in the state is linked to the coronavirus (as both diseases are said to have come from China), Bora clarified that there is no evidence to suggest that. “There is no connection between COVID-19 and the disease and people can still consume pork meat”, Bora said, adding that this has been confirmed by a panel of experts and scientists. The virus was reported in a region adjoining India’s Arunachal Pradesh.

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