Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 30
Nagaland is all set to undertake rabies control initiative in the form of mass vaccination, mass awareness campaign etc. The decision to this effect was taken during the observation of World Veterinary Day here under the aegis of Nagaland State Veterinary Council (NSVC) on the theme “Continuing Education with a One Health focus.”
Although India accounts for nearly 50% of the global rabies mortality, there is no organized national rabies control programme. Rabies control is generally confined to small urban pockets, with minimal inter-sectoral coordination. Tamil Nadu is the first state in India to implement a statewide, multi-sectoral rabies control initiative.
States like Haryana, Maharashtra, public have initiated Rabies Control activity by immunization (digs) and dog registration.
Dr L Temsu, Deputy Registrar, NSVC read out the recommendations on enhancement of professional efficiency and rabies control initiative which include- mass vaccination; establish dog identity to facilitate surveillance and monitoring-dog registration and application GIS, develop a well established data collection system for surveillance and monitoring, establish sample testing control, develop inter-sectoral and multi-sectoral coordination, mass awareness campaign, ant-rabies vaccination camp, legislation of needful regulations etc.
Gracing the valedictory function, MK Mero, Commissioner & Secretary for Veterinary & Animal Husbandry stated that all countries rely upon the performance of their national veterinary services not only to contain and control diseases, but also to tackle food safety issues and to effectively prevent and control any biological disasters.
“Therefore, vets should be well trained to preserve animal health and welfare, as well as to tackle public health issues,” Mero said.
As per the study, 60% of known human disease infections have their origins from animals. So also 70% of emerging human diseases have their roots in animal such as anthropoid borne disease like Ebola and yellow fever; rodent born diseases like Avian flu etc.
“Too many human deaths caused each year by rabies as well as the recent Ebola epidemic, dreadfully remind us of the strong links between the health of the people, animals and environment and consequently the need for multi-sectoral approaches to deal with the situation,” he said.
The commissioner & secretary said there is a need for greater cooperation between veterinary sciences, public health services and environmentalists.
Mero was hopeful that the state veterinary doctors would continue to educate themselves to gain professional efficiency and improve the health and welfare of animals, human beings and environment.
Earlier, Dr Simon Ao highlighted the importance of Meat Food Order 1973 and Milk and Milk Products Order 1992 to be extended to the state of Nagaland in line with the Food & Safety Standard Act 2006. He also suggested that development of Meat Inspection Service in the state need to be implemented vigorously for providing hygienic and wholesome food to the public.
Meanwhile, Dr Michael Imti Imchen, VAS Veterinary Hospital, Dimapur was conferred the Best Veterinarian Award 2016.
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