An ‘International school on One health’ inaugurated on November 05, 2014 is going on in Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University. Dr. Jatinder Paul Singh Gill, Organizing Secretary of this event and Director, School of Public Health & Zoonoses discussed the emergence and reemergence of zoonotic pathogens such as Ebola across the globe and highlighted the need to formulate combined international strategies for prevention and control of these diseases on the second day of this event. The role of deforestation, climate change, changing eating habits were discussed for emergence of new diseases.
On this occasion, Dr. M.S. Oberoi, Sub-Regional Manager, FAO of the United Nations delivered his lecture on the emerging threats of Ebola virus particularly in view of the ongoing global outbreak of Ebola virus infections. Important lectures on emerging zoonotic parasites were delivered by Dr. Emily Jenkins, Canada who is a renowned scientist in food borne and zoonotic parasitology. In addition, Dr. Ashok Kumar from Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar provided insight on emerging vector borne viruses. Delegates were also educated for the important role of biosafety and biosecurity in the modern world. In addition to this, a book entitled “Diseases transmitted from animals to humans (In Punjabi)” authored by Dr Rajnish Sharma, Dr B B Singh Dhaliwal and Dr J P S Gill was also released on this occasion.
Dr. Vikram Misra, Head, Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, informed that bats have some special characters such as being the only mammal to fly long distances, living in big clusters and having certain anti viral mechanisms which make them suitable hosts for number of emerging viral zoonotic pathogens such as Ebola, Nipah, Hendra and Corona etc. Dr.Manish Kakkar from Public Health Federation of India discussed about the One Health Initiative which takes into account the combined health of humans, animals and environment and policies being undertaken in India. Culling practices for zoonotic control and bioethics issues in India were discussed by Dr. GN Gongal from the WHO regional office of South East Asia. Dr. Meenakshi Singh from Food Safety Standards Authority of India discussed Food safety issues and regulations of Food safety standards being implemented in India. Dr. Naveen Gupta, Central Research Institute, Kasauli indicated the emergence of rickettsial diseases like scrub typhus in certain pockets in India. Dr. PK Malik, Scientist and Head, Wildlife Health Management, Wildlife Institute of India highlighted the role of India’s wildlife in the emergence and reemergence of zoonotic pathogens, risk factors and public health implications in India.
