For Zoonotic diseases in humans a dedicated helpline for consultation launched by AIIMS Bathinda
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ May 27,2025
The Regional Coordinating Centre under the National One Health Program for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, AIIMS Bathinda, has launched NIVARAN (Nodal Initiative for Vigilance, Awareness and Response Against Notifiable Zoonoses) – a dedicated helpline for consultation on zoonotic diseases in humans.
Zoonotic diseases are infections that spread from animals to humans and can pose serious public health risks.
The initiative was inaugurated by Dr. Rakesh Kakkar (Professor & Head, Department of Community and Family Medicine), Dr. Soumya Sahoo (Associate Professor, Department of Community and Family Medicine), Dr. Sivanantham K (Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology), Dr. Deepak Chaudhary (Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine), and Dr. Prashant Chhabra (Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics), under the guidance of Prof. Meenu Singh (Executive Director) and Prof. D.K. Singh (Founding Director).
NIVARAN aims to promote awareness, early detection, and response to zoonotic threats, marking a significant step in strengthening public health.
The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, through the Department of Community and Family Medicine at 01642-867957.
Some common zoonotic diseases include:
Rabies: A viral disease that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Lyme disease: A bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites.
Salmonellosis: A bacterial infection that causes food poisoning.
Ebola virus disease: A viral disease that causes hemorrhagic fever and can be fatal.
Hendra virus infection: A viral disease that can be transmitted to humans from horses that have been infected by fruit bats.
Kyasanur Forest disease: A viral disease that can be transmitted to humans from monkeys or other animals.
Lassa fever: A viral disease that can be transmitted to humans through contact with the urine, feces, or blood of infected rodents.
Plague: A bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans through flea bites from infected rodents.
Trichinosis: A parasitic disease that can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of undercooked meat.
