Bibinagar, July 6, 2026: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bibinagar observed World Zoonoses Day on July 6 with a series of awareness programmes highlighting the importance of preventing zoonotic diseases through the One Health approach.
World Zoonoses Day commemorates the successful administration of the first rabies vaccine by French scientist Louis Pasteur in 1885. The observance aims to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases—infectious diseases that spread between animals and humans—and promotes the One Health concept, which recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. The initiative encourages collaboration among healthcare professionals, veterinarians, environmental experts, policymakers, and the public to strengthen disease surveillance, promote early detection, encourage responsible animal care, and improve public awareness.
The programme was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Rahul Narang, Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Dean (Research), AIIMS Bibinagar, and Nodal Officer, Regional Coordinator for One Health (RCOH–NCDC). The event was coordinated by Dr. R. Shyamala, Additional Professor and Co-Principal Investigator, RCOH, and attended by faculty members of the Department of Microbiology.
As part of the observance, an awareness programme was broadcast on Akashvani Telangana (All India Radio, Hyderabad), featuring a special talk by Dr. Rahul Narang on zoonotic diseases, preventive measures, and the significance of the One Health approach. During the broadcast, he stressed the importance of creating community awareness and fostering coordinated efforts to safeguard the health of people, animals, and the environment.
Dr. Rahul Narang also delivered an invited lecture on the theme, “Working Together: Preventing Zoonoses Through Community Action,” at the College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar. He emphasized the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and active community participation in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.
To mark the occasion, the Regional Coordinator for One Health (RCOH–NCDC), Department of Microbiology, AIIMS Bibinagar, organized an E-Poster Competition for second-year MBBS, B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Technology, and B.Sc. Nursing students on the theme, “Working Together: Preventing Zoonoses Through Community Action.”
The competition was judged by Dr. Radhika Soanker, Additional Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology; Dr. Sunil D. Chavan, Associate Professor; and Dr. R. Shyamala, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS Bibinagar. The judges appreciated the participants for their innovative presentations and highlighted the importance of the One Health approach and community participation in preventing zoonotic diseases.
The programme was successfully coordinated with the support of the RCOH team, comprising Ms. Ravula Haritha, Project Consultant; T. Siva Sankar, Research Associate; B. Praveen Kumar; and B. Ramadevi.
Experts noted that zoonotic diseases remain a significant public health challenge, accounting for nearly 60 percent of all known infectious diseases in humans, while approximately 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals. Diseases such as rabies, brucellosis, leptospirosis, avian influenza, COVID-19, Nipah virus infection, and other zoonoses continue to pose serious threats to human and animal health, food security, and the global economy.
They also highlighted that rapid urbanization, climate change, deforestation, wildlife trade, and intensive livestock farming have increased the risk of zoonotic disease emergence and transmission. Strengthening integrated disease surveillance, animal vaccination, vector control, food safety, environmental conservation, and public awareness through the One Health approach remains essential to preventing future outbreaks and protecting global health.
