Dr. Nadeem Shabir, an Assistant Professor at the Division of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), has successfully secured a substantial grant of Rs 1.4 crore from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
This significant funding, spanning a three-year period from February 2024, has been earmarked for a pioneering research project focused on unraveling the transmission patterns of Avian Influenza in the picturesque region of Jammu Kashmir.
The primary objective of this groundbreaking project is to meticulously map out the transmission pathways of Avian Influenza, colloquially known as bird flu, in the region.
The research project will specifically delve into the intricate journey of the virus from migratory birds to domestic poultry and potentially to individuals involved in poultry handling.
This research initiative adopts a comprehensive One-health approach, aiming to study the complex dynamics of Avian Influenza transmission in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Shabir will collaborate closely with esteemed influenza experts, including Dr. Parvaiz Koul, Director of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), and Dr. Varsha Potdar, Head of the Influenza Group at the prestigious National Institute of Virology, Pune.
Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganai, the esteemed Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, has underscored the critical importance of this pioneering project. He emphasizes that Avian Influenza poses a significant threat to both animal and human health, necessitating comprehensive research efforts to understand the virus’s dynamics in both domestic and wild bird populations of Jammu Kashmir.