The Department of Zoology organized an extension activity on “Awareness on Diseases caused by Invertebrates” on 20 September 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Maharani’s PU College, Mysuru. The programme was conducted by final-year B.Sc. Zoology students as part of their internal assessment component under the paper Non-Chordates and Economic Zoology. Three faculty members and one support staff guided and supported the students throughout the programme.

Objectives

·        To create awareness on diseases caused by few common invertebrate pathogens.

·        To highlight six major pathogens: Entamoeba histolytica, Plasmodium spp., Hookworm (Ancylostoma), Roundworm (Ascaris), Filarial worm (Wuchereria), and Tapeworm (Taenia spp.).

·        To emphasize the health implications of these pathogens at both local and global levels.

·        To encourage students of Maharani’s PU College to promote preventive measures and maintain hygienic practices.

·        To provide final-year Zoology students an opportunity to develop teaching, communication, and presentation skills.

Relevance of the Topic

Diseases caused by invertebrate pathogens continue to be a serious public health challenge. In India, malaria, amoebiasis, filariasis, and intestinal helminth infections remain widespread, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.Globally, diseases like malaria and filariasis affect millions, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates.Locally, poor sanitation and water contamination still facilitate the spread of amoebiasis, hookworm, roundworm, and tapeworm infections.Raising awareness at the student level ensures that knowledge is carried into households and communities, thereby helping in disease prevention.This activity therefore addressed both the academic curriculum and the societal need for health awareness.

Delivery of the Programme

The extension activity was conducted in five sections of Maharani’s PU College.The sessions were handled by different groups of final-year Zoology students, ensuring the participation of the entire class.Students prepared charts and posters in both Kannada and English to ensure clear understanding.Each pathogen was explained in detail, covering its life cycle, symptoms, mode of transmission, and preventive measures.
– The six pathogens and the diseases discussed were:
  1. Entamoeba histolytica – Amoebic dysentery
  2. Plasmodium spp. – Malaria
  3. Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale) – Hook work infection
  4. Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) – Ascariasis
  5. Filarial worm (Wuchereria bancrofti) – Elephantiasis
  6. Tapeworm (Taenia spp.) – Taeniasis
Sessions were made interactive through live discussions and quiz which reinforced learning and create enthusiasm among the PU students.This method not only engaged the participants but also enhanced the confidence and teaching ability of the final-year Zoology students.

Conclusion

The extension activity was a successful and impactful event. It created awareness among the students of Maharani’s PU College about six important invertebrate-borne diseases and their preventive measures. The programme also provided final-year Zoology students with valuable exposure.
By combining classroom knowledge with community awareness, the activity achieved both educational and social objectives. The event was well-received by both institutions and demonstrated the importance of outreach activities in higher education.

Acknowledgement

The Department of Zoology, St. Philomena’s College, Mysuru, expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Principal and management of St. Philomena’s College for their support in organizing this activity. We extend sincere thanks to the authorities and faculty of Maharani’s PU College, Mysuru, for granting permission and providing facilities for the smooth conduct of the programme.We also extend our special thanks to Mr. Ronald R, Office Assistant, Office of the Joint Director of School Education, Mysore Division, Mysore, who assisted in obtaining the necessary permission and facilitating the smooth conduct of the event.We also appreciate the enthusiastic participation of the students of Maharani’s PU College and acknowledge the dedication and efforts of our final-year Zoology students in making the event a success.

Report Prepared by:

 Neena P K,

 Assistant Professor,

 Dept of Zoology,  St Philomena’s College (Autonomous), Mysuru