Srinagar: To commemorate World Zoonoses Day, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir conducted an awareness programme about the transmission and prevention of various diseases from animals to humans. at Shuhama Campus.
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry’s Division of Veterinary Public Health and Division of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Extension organised the programme under the sponsorship of the World Bank-ICAR funded National Agricultural Higher Education Programme (NAHEP). The programme was attended by teachers, Anganwadi workers, Para-vets, progressive farmers and butchers from across the valley besides students of the FVSc.
Prof MAA Siddiqui, Dean Students’ Welfare and acting Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K was the Chief Guest at the event. He stressed on ‘One Health’ approach involving the importance of multi-sectoral coordination among medical, veterinary and environmental professionals to combat zoonoses. Dean, FVSC&AH, Prof Mohammad Tufail Bandy in his opening remarks stressed creating awareness among different stakeholders so that people will understand zoonoses and the methods of prevention. Prof MR Fazili, Assoc. Director Research, SKUADST-Kashmir emphasized on building diagnostic facilities for zoonotic diseases, especially pet zoonoses. Prof S Akram Hussain, Head, Div. Veterinary Public Health said that the most risk group people contracting zoonoses are para-vets in the livestock sector and should be aware of various zoonotic diseases & their prevention.
Prof SM Salim Khan, Head, Dept. of Social & Preventive Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Srinagar in his lectures said that zoonotic diseases are responsible for an estimated 2.5 million cases globally annually and newly emerging diseases are the challenges in public health sectors. He also stressed the immediate and complete dose of vaccination against dog bites to prevent rabies. Dr Ruqia Quansar, Lecturer, Dept. of Community Medicine, GMC, Srinagar briefs about the transmission of rabies, brucellosis and other zoonotic diseases, while saying that Anganwadi workers can play a vital role in making people aware of zoonoses and in minimizing disease occurrence.
Prof SA Wani, former Director of Education SKUAST-K, briefs about the potential solutions to overcome barriers and meet the challenges of zoonoses. Prof. Altaf Bhat, Head, Div. of Veterinary Microbiology & Immunology, discussed emerging and re-emerging diseases and briefed the importance of ecosystem health. The programme was anchored by Dr Shabu Shoukat and concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Abdul Hai, In-charge, Faculty Outreach Centre, FVSc&AH, Shuhama

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