Dr. Mrunal Ghag-Sawant
Head of Department - Department of Zoonosis
Department of Zoonosis is committed for training, research and testing in the field of Vector and vector borne diseases.
In research, the department is contributing to existing knowledge in Public health and Infectious diseases. The various projects in the department are aimed to understand- vector behavior, Vector Control, Contribution of the genetic mutations towards insecticide resistance, Diagnosis of the disease, investigating the role of trace metals in disease pathophysiology, Screening of various natural compounds for therapeutic use, Novel drug delivery system, Development of new and improving existing vaccines. Zoonosis department has a sub-division of Venomous Animals named as 'Venomous Animal Unit' established in 1953 and was previously known as Snake farm (Serpentarium). This unit maintains various kinds of a poisonous, non-poisonous snakes and scorpions. Snake farm supplies snake venom & scorpion venom for research purpose. The unit regularly conducts programs to create awareness in people, students for identification of snakes& snake bites.
The Department is a Central Insecticide Board, Ghaziabad, New Delhi approved center and is actively engaged in testing for Bio efficacy, persistency, repellence, testing against crawling & flying insects, mosquito repellence test on human skin, Water resistance study and study of products for testing of Anti- Ant and Anti Wasp activity as per WHO guidelines.
The department has successfully organized various Training Programs, Workshops, Seminars and Lecture Series on the topics of public health interest from time to time. The workshop on "mission to control mosquito menace" aimed at training and teaching the college students and other interested professionals to create public health awareness in the control of Mosquito and mosquito borne diseases.
Venomous Animal Unit
Venomous Animal Unit is actively engaged in Training, research and testing. Department is offering regular and short term training courses such as awareness training programs on Snake and its importance for those who are working with the public health authorities, paramedical and medical institutes, colleges and schools at state and national levels. Department also undertake scientific workshop "Introduction to covert existence of snake" and "Snake bite death mitigation" which covers identification of venomous and non-venomous snakes, how to apply first aid measure post snakes bite and how snakes are important to maintain the ecological balance. Workshop on "Principle and practices of Laboratory animals" is regular hands on workshop encompass concepts of in in vivo experiments and its applications in the field of research as well as ethical issues, welfare regulations. "Rodent Pest management" is 3 days field training to understand the Biology and Control of Rodent Vector for the betterment of Public Health diseases.
Department is involve in venom biology research right from its inception, various core areas of research includes screening of natural/ synthetic compounds to explore the repellent property against snake, Evaluation of naïve molecules from venom to explore its therapeutic potential, study of whole body profile of live venomous creatures, screening of natural/ synthetic compounds to explore the natural alterative to anti snake venom, Venomics of snake venom proteins.
Department conducts various testing activities of public importance such as the Anti rodent, Anti squirrel and Anti termite research and testing procedure for evaluating the efficacy of repellents coated in pipes, cables etc. and testing of seized venom samples of Forest department. Apart from this department is also involved in lyophilization of venom as per WHO guideline and sale of venom for research, education and anti venom production.
WHO guideline and sale of venom for research, education and anti venom production.
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