Srinagar, July 25: The Veterinary Faculty at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) organised an event on World Zoonoses Day 2024 to combat zoonotic diseases and promote the One Health initiative.
The Division of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Medical Unit, and the Office of Students Welfare conducted an extensive awareness campaign and vaccination drive against rabies—a fatal but 100% preventable disease.
The event saw the participation of teaching faculty, non-teaching staff, postgraduate students, interns, and 4th-year veterinary students, the SKUAST-K said in a press release issued here.
“The three-dose vaccination drive was executed by the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College Srinagar, a key collaborator in SKUAST-K’s One Health initiative, along with SKIMS Soura and ICAR-NIVEDI Bangalore. On July 5, 11 and 25, a total of 132 staff and students received pre-exposure prophylaxis against rabies,” it said.
Prof RA Shahardar, Dean Students Welfare SKUAST-K, Prof MT Banday, Dean Veterinary Faculty, Prof SM Salim, Head of Community Medicine GMC Srinagar, Prof AA Khan, OSD to Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-K, and Dr Pervaiz Ahmad, Medical Officer SKUAST-K, alongside other officers from collaborating units, participated in the awareness programs and oversaw the vaccination process.
In their addresses, the officers reaffirmed their dedication to the welfare of employees, students, and public health. They lauded SKUAST-K’s establishment of the School of One Health, which aims to foster transdisciplinary research and education in the region.
The school’s vision is to create and lead a globally connected One Health research and education ecosystem, sustainably improving the health of humans, animals, and the environment through shared knowledge and innovation, the SKUAST-K said in the statement.
“This event not only highlighted the importance of vaccination in preventing rabies but also underscored the collaborative efforts required to address zoonotic diseases effectively,” the statement said. “Through initiatives like these, SKUAST-K continues to lead the way in promoting One Health principles and enhancing public health and safety.”
