By: Dr. Mostafa Salehi-Vaziri, Director of Specialized Health Services at the Pasteur Institute of Iran

 

According to World Health Organization (WHO) reports, 60% of infectious pathogens are transmitted from animals to humans, and 75% of newly emerging human diseases are zoonotic (transmissible between animals and humans). As the World Zoonoses Awareness Week highlights the growing threat of these diseases, the pivotal role of the Pasteur Institute of Iran in monitoring and controlling zoonotic outbreaks comes into focus. As the country’s oldest and most prestigious scientific research center, the institute has been at the forefront of public health security and combating infectious disease threats for over a century. Equipped with advanced laboratories and staffed by expert research teams, the Pasteur Institute of Iran plays a central role in the study, diagnosis, control, and production of medical countermeasures against zoonotic diseases. Through its national reference laboratories and collaborative research divisions, the institute has significantly contributed to safeguarding public health in this critical field.

 

Key Research & Diagnostic Efforts

• Arboviruses & Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Lab (National Reference Lab): Specializes in arthropod-borne viruses, including Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), West Nile Fever, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika.
• Epidemiology & Biostatistics Dept. (WHO Collaborating Center): Leads national reference labs for plague, tularemia, and Q fever, while conducting epidemiological analysis of zoonotic outbreaks in human, animal, and wildlife populations.
• Rabies Research & Reference Center (WHO Collaborating Lab): Responsible for diagnosis, surveillance, and research on rabies, including bite case monitoring and prevention programs.
• Bacteriology Dept.: Focuses on zoonotic bacterial diseases such as leptospirosis and anthrax, with the Amol Research Station specializing in leptospirosis studies.
• Parasitology Dept.: Researches parasitic zoonoses, including leishmaniasis (sandfly fever), hydatid cysts, and toxoplasmosis.
• Influenza Dept. (National Reference Lab): Investigates animal-origin influenza viruses (e.g., avian flu strains H5N1, H9N2) and prepares for potential pandemic responses.

 

Vaccines & Diagnostic Kits: A Shield Against Zoonoses

The institute’s production-research complex in Karaj manufactures veterinary rabies vaccines and diagnostic kits (e.g., Wright and Widal tests for Brucella and Salmonella), aiding in the prevention and detection of rabies, brucellosis, typhoid, and other zoonotic diseases. Its high-quality veterinary rabies vaccine and advanced diagnostic tools have become essential instruments for Iran’s health system. Additionally, the institute conducts research on E. coli, leishmaniasis, botulism, and other emerging threats.

 

The "One Health" Approach: A Collaborative Future

The "One Health" strategy—an interdisciplinary framework emphasizing collaboration between human health, animal health, and environmental sectors—is critical in combating zoonotic diseases. During this global awareness week, we recognize the dedicated efforts of the Pasteur Institute of Iran and its experts, whose research, education, and production initiatives have consistently safeguarded public health against zoonotic threats.