World Zoonoses Day
ICAR Research Complex for Goa celebrated the World Zoonoses Day on 6th July, 2013. The theme of the celebrations was ‘‘Linking Environment, Animal Health and Human Health together’, in order to educate and create public awareness about the importance of zoonoses. The World Zoonoses day is celebrated on July 6 every year to bring the problem into people's consciousness, and remind them to take action. This day is the anniversary of the invention of rabies vaccine by the great scientist Louis Pasteur. The infectious diseases or their agents naturally transmissible between animals and human beings are collectively referred to as “zoonoses”. Dr. N.C. Sawant, Managing Director, Goa Sate Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Limited, Ponda, Goa graced the celebrations as Chief Guest for the inaugural function. Dr. S.K. Das, Principal Scientist welcomed the delegates and briefed about the World Zoonoses Day. Dr. Sawant spoke about the importance of zoonotic infections in our day to day life and called for collaboration from Departments of Health, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Department of Agriculture, Science Colleges for creating awareness about the dreaded zoonotic infections. During the day four resource persons, Dr Ashwani Kumar, Officer In-Charge, National Institute of Malaria Research, Goa Campus, Dr. Savio Rodriguez, Professor of Microbiology, Goa Medical College, Dr. U.V.T. Pednekar, Assistant Director, Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Govt. of Goa, Dr S.B. Barbuddhe, Principal Scientist and coordinator of the programme and Dr Z.B. Dubal, Scientist from ICAR Research Complex for Goa deliberated on different aspects of zoonotic infections.
Dr. Ashwani Kumar spoke about the prevention and control of vector borne zoonotic infections. Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Barbuddhe gave a detailed account of the zoonotic infections.Dr. Pednekar highlighted the importance of rabies and different infections prevalent in Goa region. Dr. Dubal narrated the different waterborne infections. Over 100 delegates from all over Goa participated in the programme. The programme was organized as a part of awareness campaign about zoonotic and foodborne infections funded by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.