Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) and Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of India released 2 Diagnostic ELISA Kits for the control of Swine and Detection of Antigen at the Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
In his address, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra briefed about the main characteristics of the two Kits. Highlighting about the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) ELISA Kit (IgM) for Swine, Dr. Mohapatra mentioned that the JE is a re-emerging viral zoonotic disease leading to death of children every year in the country.
The kit developed by the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute is really helpful for assessing the active infection of JE virus in the swine population which predicts the outbreak of JE in the humans. As compared to the commercial kit available in the market at a price of Rs. 52,000; the ICAR-IVRI developed is available for the farmers at a minimal price of Rs. 5,000 only. The Director General mentioned that each kit is meant for testing around 45 samples.
Accentuating on the features of another Kit entitled “Bluetongue: Sandwich ELISA for detection of Antigen”, Dr. Mohapatra stated that the Bluetongue (BT) virus is an insect-transmitted viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants that includes the camelid species. The disease is widespread among the sheep, goats, cattle, buffaloes and camels in the country.
With the help of the Kit, the Bluetongue Virus can be controlled with the vaccination of susceptible animals, vector control and quarantine of infected animals with the good management practices. Apart from the vaccination, the early diagnosis and isolation of the infected animals are one of the commonly suggested preventive methods for controlling the spreading of the disease.
Dr. Mohapatra stated that the Kits have been validated earlier by the scientists for their credibility. The Kits have been prepared under the “Make in India” initiative of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
Chaturvedi remarked the joint initiative by the ICAR and the Department of Animal Husbandry as an incredible initiative. Chaturvedi stated that the lunching of these two Kits will definitely be beneficial for not only the farming community, but the society as a whole. Citing about the number of casualties caused by the deadliest diseases in the societies every year, the Secretary mentioned that the Kits will prove to be a real helping hand. He also accentuated that the initiative will play a pivotal role in realizing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s aim of doubling the farmer’s income.
Sushil Kumar, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR) applauded the ICAR & Department of Animal Husbandry’s initiative in the designated direction. Kumar stated that the kits have been prepared with care. He accentuated that proper research works by the scientists of both the organizations were carried out before the official launching of the Kits. The Kits were also tested against the mentioned virus and diseases caused by the animals for their validity.
Dr. Praveen Malik, Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry stressed on the prevention of the Bluetongue Virus that is affecting the animal’s health on a larger scale. The indigenously prepared Kit will definitely be helpful in fighting the infections caused by the virus effectively. The Kit has a tremendous potential for the detection of the virus.
Dr. R.K. Singh, Director, Indian Veterinary Research Institute emphasized on the measures to be adopted for controlling the spread of various harmful diseases by the birds, pigs and other animals. He stressed that the humans are more prone to the transmittable diseases. He expressed his concerns about the various cases in which the children are more affected by the diseases as compared to the younger or older ones. He mentioned that the Kits will provide help in achieving our targets effectively and efficiently.
Dr. Ashok Kumar, ADG, Animal Husbandry, ICAR along with other dignitaries of both the organizations were present during the occasion.
