International ‘One Health’ symposium dwells on biosecurity, wildlife-human interface

The second day of the International Symposium on Advancing One Health and the XXI Annual Conference of IAVPHS, hosted by Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, witnessed vibrant scientific engagement with the theme ‘Environment and Wildlife Health’, featuring globally renowned experts.

Dr Emily Jenkins, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Canada, delivered an insightful lecture on wildlife–livestock–human interfaces, shared lessons from the Canadian experience. Dr Surinder Singh Kukal, former Dean, PAU, spoke on how water, soil, and agricultural systems acted as ecological determinants of health. Dr Parag Nigam, Wildlife Institute of India, emphasised the crucial role of wildlife health in understanding and predicting emerging infectious diseases.

Dr Jeroen Dewulf, Ghent University, Belgium, highlighted global farm biosecurity and anti-microbial resistance reduction strategies. Dr Vikram Saini, AIIMS, New Delhi, presented genomic perspectives on pathogen diversity, while Dr Narender Hegde, National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, outlined modern diagnostic innovations spanning symptom-based detection to Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technologies.

An academic–industry synergy meet followed, bringing together leaders from academia, industry, and development sectors to discuss collaborative opportunities for strengthening the implementation of the One Health programme.

Posters on wildlife health, environmental drivers of disease, diagnostics, vaccines, and biosecurity were displayed, showcasing the diverse research contributions of faculty and students.

Parallel oral presentation sessions, chaired by national experts, further enriched the scientific dialogue. The day concluded with the annual general body meeting and a valedictory ceremony.

Dr JPS Gill, Vice-Chancellor, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional contributions to veterinary public health. Dr JS Bedi, Organising Secretary, received the prestigious AT Sherikar Outstanding Public Health Veterinarian Award. Dr Simranpreet Kaur got Dr RK Agarwal Food Safety Award, and Dr Iqra Arif got the best PhD thesis award. Best oral presentation and best poster awards were conferred to outstanding contributors.