6-Jul-2023: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying organizes awareness Programme across the country for awareness on zoonotic disease and the risks associated with zoonotic disease on World Zoonosis
As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying organized an awareness Programme on zoonotic disease through Common Service Centres network. More than 1.5 lac farmers participated the awareness programme across the country connected through CSC Network.
Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying addressed the farmers and emphasized the risks associated with zoonotic disease and its impact on livestock sector and national economy. She highlighted that Department is implementing National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), a flagship scheme launched by Prime Minister in September 2019 for control of two major prevailing zoonotic disease Le. Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by vaccinating 100% buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population for FMD and 100% bovine female calves of 4-8 months of age for brucellosis. Department is also assisting States/UTs for vaccination against zoonotic diseases like anthrax and rabies and 'Control of Emergent and Exotic Diseases. To minimize socio economical losses, Department is providing veterinary service at farmer's doorstep through Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUS) for disease diagnosis, treatment, minor surgeries and awareness in care & management of diseased animals etc. Secretary, AHD reiterated that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying stands committed to work with all the stakeholders for delivering the Quality Services at Farmers' Doorstep and to Increase availability/accessibility of better veterinary health services to minimize economic losses due to animal diseases.
She also highlighted the significance of the "One Health" concept in addressing the risk associated with zoonotic diseases in the current scenario. She gave a brief about the zoonotic disease; vaccination programmes and the schemes being implemented by the Department for eradication and control of the economically important diseases and other emergent and exotic diseases.
Attendees were given complete information about "Risks and Prevention of Zoonosis" and "Prevention and Control of Rabies" through presentations by department officials.
1-Jul-2023: Prime Minister launches National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh
“Sickle Cell Disease is a disease that impacts tribal sections of societies significantly. The government is committed to eliminate the disease before India celebrates its Amrit Kaal in 2047.” This was stated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi as he launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCEM) in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today marked a landmark in Shahdol, as with the initiative of NSCEM, and the distribution of Ayushman Bharat cards, the country comes closer to prioritizing the health of tribal communities. The Prime Minister said that he had been working with tribal communities since before he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat, and understands the debilitating impact the disease has on the human body.
20-Jun-2023: Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine developed using the indigenous platform technology
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has announced that the Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine developed using the indigenous platform technology by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. and supported under the Mission COVID Suraksha, implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), has got a nod from the office of the Drug Control General of India (DCGI) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
DBT has facilitated establishing Gennova's mRNA-based next-generation vaccine manufacturing for developing the platform technology from proof of concept till Phase I clinical trial of the prototype mRNA-based vaccine developed against the Wuhan strain. The project was further supported under the 'Mission COVID Suraksha'. The Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission' by DBT's dedicated Mission Implementation Unit at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), for further clinical development and Scale up of the prototype vaccine, which received EUA on 29th June 2022. The platform technology developed was used to develop an Omicron-specific booster vaccine for COVID-19.