A three-day workshop on Animal Infectious Disease Prioritization kicked off today in New Delhi, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. This event, under the guidance of the Indian Government's Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, aims to address the urgent need to prioritize infectious diseases posing significant threats to livestock, wildlife, poultry, and the overall economy.
The opening session featured Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, who highlighted the role of economic repercussions as a key factor during the disease prioritization process. He shared insights on how financial losses stemming from these diseases—driving down productivity and incurring costs for treatment—extend beyond the agricultural sector, affecting the national economy on multiple levels.
Dr. Mitra also argued for the incorporation of biodiversity loss as another major criterion during prioritization efforts. He pointed out the adverse effects of disease spread among wildlife, noting the far-reaching consequences on ecosystems and the services they provide. Dr. Mitra emphasized integrating biodiversity impacts within disease prioritization frameworks for more comprehensive decision-making.
Adding depth to the discussions, Dr. Raj Kumar Singh, FAO India’s Epidemiology, AMR, and Zoonoses Specialist, provided participants with extensive insights describing the Animal Infectious Disease Prioritization (AIDP) process. He detailed the workings of various committees focused on evaluating and ranking diseases based on their prevalence, economic impact, and health implications for both animals and humans.
This workshop gathered experts from diverse backgrounds, including the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), state veterinary universities, state animal husbandry departments, as well as collaborative partners like USAID and Jhpiego. Their collective aim is to identify and rank key infectious diseases requiring immediate intervention.
Throughout the next two days, participants will work on highlighting diseases of greatest concern, those affecting terrestrial animals and zoonotic diseases with potential human health repercussions. By approaching this prioritization thoughtfully, the experts will help devise targeted surveillance and control programs. This proactive approach is set to bolster India’s capacity to manage infectious disease threats effectively.
By focusing on the most pressing infectious diseases, the workshop envisions enhancing the resilience of India’s animal health systems, contributing to greater environmental sustainability and safeguarding public health. This initiative marks another step toward managing the balance between animal health, economic stability, and biodiversity conservation.
