6 July: World Zoonosis Day

World Zoonoses Day was instituted on 6 July 1885 to educate and raise awareness about zoonotic diseases that can transmit from animals to humans.

It commemorates French biologist Louis Pasteur, who administered the first dose of the first vaccine against rabies.
Zoonotic diseases are caused by viruses, parasites, bacteria and fungi. These germs can lead to several kinds of illnesses, ranging in severity, in people and animals. Some can even cause death. Unlike in humans, animals may often appear healthy even when they carry such germs.