Dept of Veterinary Microbiology LUVAS, Hisar awarded Certificate of excellence

Pashu Sandesh, 30 Dec 2021

Naresh Kakker, HOD, VMC

The Director, ICAR-Directorate of FMD (ICAR-DFMD) awarded the Certificate of Appreciation to the Regional Research Centre on FMD, Deptt. of Veterinary Microbiology, LUVAS, Hisar for the year 2020 for outstanding performance and lasting contribution to FMD surveillance and monitoring in the state of Haryana. Based on the performance among all the centres of FMD throughout the country, the Hisar centre received an "A" grade. 

On the basis of scientific data generated by the Scientists of Department of Veterinary Microbiology, LUVAS, Hisar, the Haryana state has implemented Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (FMD+HS; मुंह-खुर + गलघोंटू रोग) combined vaccination schedule on a pilot basis as per the recommendations of Expert Committee constituted by Government of India w.e.f. April 2019. Earlier also, on the basis of data generated by the Scientists of LUVAS, Haryana had emerged as a model State for the whole of the country for control of FMD. This was all possible due to the combined meticulous work done by the State Dept. of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Haryana and LUVAS, Hisar for controlling and monitoring, respectively the two very important diseases of cloven-hoofed animals i.e. FMD and HS. As a result, there has been no incidence of FMD and HS in the State of Haryana since the start of FMD+HS combined vaccination in April 2019.

Stating this, Dr Parveen Goel, Director of Research, LUVAS informed that Dr N. K. Kakker, Prof.& Head had earlier presented the data in a series of meetings organized by Govt. of India under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Dr Sanjeev Balyan, Hon’ble Minister of State, AHD appreciated DAHD, Haryana and LUVAS, Hisar for sharing their scientific outcomes and requested to explore the inclusion of FMD+HS combined vaccine at the earliest under the National Animal Disease Control Programme launched nationwide by Sh. Narendra Modi Ji, Prime Minister of India. 

Dr Gurdial Singh, Worthy Vice-Chancellor, LUVAS appreciated the continued commitment of the team of FMD and HS Scientists, including Dr N. K. Kakker, Prof. & Head, Dr Swati Dahiya, Scientist & In-charge, Regional Research Centre on FMD, Dr Anshul Lather, Dr Akhil Kumar Gupta and Dr Anita Dalal. Dr N. K. Kakker further stated that the research work on Sero-monitoring of pre-and-post-FMD+HS vaccination at LUVAS is being undertaken through continuous support and funding from RKVY and ICAR-DFMD.