Dr. Tej Partap, Vice-chancellor, CSK H.P. Agricultural University, has called upon the field veterinary officers to effectively prevent and control various infectious and contagious diseases of animals particularly those which are transmitted to human beings.
He said this while addressing a three days training programme on the diagnosis of animal disease “Brucellosis” at Dr. G.C. Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Palampur of Kangra district today. Seventeen field veterinarians from various parts of the state took part in the programme that was inaugurated by Dr. S. C. Sharma, Director of Research.
Dr. Partap said that animal husbandry was a major contributor to the rural and national economy and the animal diseases affected the economy badly. Animals not only hold the balance between humans and nature but were the factories that convert crop residues into milk, meat, wool and other utilities. Livestock sector was contributing 8-10 per cent to Indian GDP, 27 per cent to Indian agricultural economy, and had a contribution in growing economy at 4 –5 per cent per annum over last decade.
He said that all out efforts should be made to prevent and control animal diseases to reduce economic losses to the livestock keepers. There was an urgent need to spread the awareness about infectious diseases among the farming community.
Dr. A. C. Varshney, Dean of the college informed that “Brucellosis” was an important infectious disease of animals that caused contagious abortions thus massive economic losses to the farmers. In addition, the disease was communicable to humans as well. The infection was almost invariably transmitted by direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their products.
Dr. Mandeep Sharma, Head, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, told that under the GOI sponsored programme, continuing veterinary education was an activity of personal efficiency development schemes and veterinarians were to be updated with latest knowledge and skills so as to prepare them for future challenges. The primary objective of the training was to sharpen the knowledge of registered veterinary practitioners aimed and improving the quality of veterinary services to efficient and effective diagnosis of the diseases.
