The Department of Disease Control is one of the four academic Departments in the School of Veterinary Medicine. The Department has the following main stream laboratories: Virology, Bacteriology, Public Health, Biochemistry, Pathology and Haematology/Parasitology. In addition, the Department has a Biohazard facility containment level 2 where infectious materials are handled.
In 2008, a Biosafety Level-3 laboratory facility was constructed by the Centre for Zoonoses Control project of the Hokkaido University, Japan. This modern facility has greatly improved the capacity of the Department to engage in research work involving various pathogens and also provides service to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives ,the Ministry of Health and other related and line Ministries such as Tourism and Arts under the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Services
The Department contributes significantly to scholarly research in the areas of Emerging and Re-emerging/ Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Public Health, Environmental Toxicology, Preventive Medicine, Economics, Jurisprudence and others. Locally, the Department has several collaborative links with the Zambia Wildlife Authority, the University Teaching Hospital, Centre for Disease Control-(Chest laboratory), The Central Veterinary Research Institute, Golden Valley Agriculture Research Trust and other organisations.
International collaboration exists with the following institutions and units such as The Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine/Center for Zoonosis Control-Hokkaido University, The University of Zimbabwe, Norwegian School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, Sokoine University of Agriculture, The Norwegian Veterinary Institute and Makerere University.
As a School, through the Department of Disease Control, we are transforming and enlarging our sphere of influence and engagement to truly achieve an international “One Health” approach to protect the environment, human and animal health. Thus, we are prominently positioned to expand our programs in comparative medicine in ways uniquely available to the School of Veterinary Medicine. In this regard, two International Masters of Science degrees with a “One Health” approach have been formulated with one already running and the other to be rolled out in October 2016. These are Master of Science in One Health Epidemiology (MSc OHAE), which is now running and the other is Master of Science in One Health Food Safety (MSc OHFS) to be rolled out in 2016.
In Extension Education, the Department has linkage with farmers group in Mapepe and Shibuyinji areas.
Departmental Objectives
To train veterinarians and biomedical scientists who will be qualified to contribute to animal production and health, human health and environmental sustainability.
To conduct research that will promote understanding of our world system, contribute to improved human and animal health and quality of life.
To provide excellent and quality services to society through application of knowledge and skills in veterinary science for the betterment of human kind.
