In memoriam - Dr. Shampur Madhusudana

GARC expresses its sadness at the news of the death of Dr. Shampur Madhusudana on the 2nd December 2015.

Dr. Madhusudana was a professor at the Department of Neurovirology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bangalore, India, a WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research in Rabies. He was a founder member of the Indian Academy of Vaccinology and immunology, the Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI) and the Rabies in Asia (RIA) Foundation. He subsequently served on the board of the Rabies in Asia foundation and received a Life Time Achievement Award for his contribution in the field of rabies from APCRI, in 2012.

Dr. Madhusudana made significant contributions to the advancement of the science of rabies prevention through vaccination, especially via the intradermal route, and was a passionate advocate for improved rabies control. He was an advisor to both WHO and the Indian government on rabies, and sadly he did not live to see his dream of seeing India become rabies-free.

His research on vaccine trials and into the improvement of rabies case management has been instrumental in furthering our understanding of rabies. The global rabies community benefitted immensely from his determination and the selflessness that he applied to his work, which continues to save lives.

Dr. Madhusudana’s passing will be felt by many who worked with him and he will be missed by colleagues across the globe. Our thoughts and condolences go to his wife and family at this sad time.

Contributed by Louise Taylor, GARC