An international review meeting was held at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana to share the results of India-United Kingdom collaborative project on control of brucellosis funded by Department of Biotechnology India and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) in the UK. Brucellosis is animal disease which transmits to humans through direct contact with infected animals, particularly during calving and abortion event, and consumption of raw milk and dairy products. Participants from GADVASU, Royal Veterinary College, London; PGIMER Chandigarh; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; District Epidemiologist, Ludhiana; Department of Animal Husbandry Punjab; Punjab Dairy Development Board; Punjab Veterinary Vaccine Institute Ludhiana; Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Jalandhar; Verka Milk Plant, Ludhiana; University of Sydney, Australia and dairy farmers attended this event. The meeting was facilitated by Ms. Hannah Holt, Dr. Jasbir Bedi and Dr. Paviter Kaur.
Dr. N.S Sharma welcomed and gave introduction of the project and depicted the importance of brucellosis in animals and human. Dr. Rajesh Kumar (PGIMER) showed human exposure to the disease and highlighted the need to ensure general public awareness of the risks of drinking raw milk and dairy products. Dr. Punam Mangtani from London presented data on brucellosis in the general population. Prof. Javier Guitian from the Royal Veterinary College presented forecasts of the frequency of disease in cattle and buffalo herds from computer simulation modelling under different control scenarios. Delegates from Verka Milk Plant, Ludhiana communicated about importance of milk pasteurization. Dr. H.S. Toor, Deputy Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, Punjab and Dr. Ramesh Kumar, District Epidemiologist Dr. Ramesh Kumar, assured the house that their departments will support in the dissemination of project information at field level.
Dr. J.P.S Gill Director of Research at GADVASU summarise the key findings from the project and the points highlighted in the group discussion in meeting. Dr. Gill announced that it is clear that the fight to control the disease and communication of important public and animal health messages required an inter-sectoral approach. It was assured that the project team and delegates will continue to work together to tackle brucellosis in Punjab State.