Port Blair, Nov. 19: A sensitization programme on “Status and Control of Foot and Mouth Disease in A & N Islands” was held on 17th November 2012 at 10.00 a.m. in the Conference Hall of CARI. Altogether 30 participants including senior Veterinary Officers from Department of animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, A&N Administration, Scientists of Animal Science Division, HoDs and PC, KVKs attended the meeting. The meeting was held under the project of Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme with an aim to create sensitization cum awareness among the Veterinarians who are directly involved with the control and vaccination of this disease at field level for effective control of this disease from the islands.
Dr. A. Kundu, HoD, Animal Science welcomed all the delegates and briefed about the foot and mouth disease in livestock. Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, CARI and Chairman of the meeting highlighted the status of the FMD in the Islands and importance of this disease in terms of direct and indirect losses to livestock and economy. He also stressed on the importance of the FMD Control programme in the islands and suggested to initiate more and more sensitization and awareness programme for the benefit of the livestock farmers for control and eradication of this disease from this island.
Dr. Shiv Kumar, Joint Director, DAHVS in his address described the status of FMD vaccination and control programme implemented by the state department. He assured to provide full co-operation to CARI for effective control of FMD in these Islands.
Dr. Jai Sunder, PI, FMD Control Programme, Port Blair presented the progress of the center and status of pre and post vaccination antibody titer in the sera samples of cattle and buffalo collected from different areas of A & N Islands.
Dr. Ravindra Sharma, Professor and I/c, Hissar FMD Regional Centre, Haryana delivered a detailed lecture on the status of FMD at Global, National level and strategies for control of this disease from the islands. He also presented the Progressive Control Pathway approaches and Regional Roadmap guidelines of FAO and OIE for effective vaccination and control of FMD from this island. He emphasized on the concentrated effort of the Department of Animal Husbandry to play a major role in mass campaigning about the disease among the farmers through the different media.
Dr. Arun De, Co-PI, of the FMD Control Programme presented the action points for the effective control of FMD and also proposed vote of thanks.