‘One World, One Health’: SKUAST-K commemorates Zoonoses Day-2025
K H News Service
Srinagar | July, 10: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir hosted a symposium titled ‘One World, One Health: Prevent Zoonoses, Stop the Spread’ at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Shuhama.
The event, organized by the Division of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology under the HADP Project-20, aimed to address zoonotic diseases and was part of the celebrations for World Zoonoses Day 2025, commemorating Louis Pasteur’s development of the first rabies vaccine. The symposium brought together a diverse group of participants, including scientists and officials from various fields such as medicine, veterinary science, fisheries, environment, and food sciences, representing institutions like GMC Srinagar, GMC Anantnag, SKIMS Soura, and IUST Awantipora. The inaugural session featured Prof Haroon R Naik, Director of Research at SKUAST-K, who emphasized the significance of the “One Health” approach in tackling zoonotic challenges in the region. He encouraged participants to leverage the knowledge shared during the event and provide feedback. Prof M Altaf Bhat, Director of Education at SKUAST-K, highlighted the necessity of raising awareness among stakeholders about zoonoses for community prosperity. Dean Prof Riaz A Shah discussed the various aspects of zoonotic diseases and the critical role of veterinarians in ensuring a comprehensive approach to health. Dr Mudasir Ali, the event’s Organizing Secretary, underscored the urgency of controlling emerging zoonotic diseases, which constitute over 60% of infectious diseases and 75% of new pathogens. The symposium featured notable speakers, including Dr Kouser Sideeq from GMC Srinagar and Prof. Craig Altier from Cornell University, who participated virtually. A panel discussion titled ‘From Bite to Breakthrough: Collaborative Rabies Control in J&K’ was also conducted, further enriching the dialogue on zoonotic disease management.
