The two days National Workshop cum Brainstorming “Strategy on control and eradication of formidable Trans-boundary viral diseases of Livestock- Foot and Mouth disease (FMD), Lumpy skin disease (LSD) and African Swine Fever (ASF)" concluded at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana on 15 November, 2022. On the second day, the major focus was on status and strategies to control Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and African Swine Fever (ASF) in animals.
Dr. Manoj Kumar representing M/s Hester Biosciences highlighted use of Goat pox vaccine against LSD aside from biosecurity measures, cleanliness and 
mosquito nets. Dr. Naveen Kumar from National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE), Hisar said that the LSD virus affected mainly the cattle population in the country. Their institute has developed a homologous vaccine based on Ranchi strain for LSD which was found very effective during clinical trial phase and vaccine has been launched in August, 2022 by the Ministry of GoI.
Dr. N.N. Barman, Veterinary college, Khanapara highlighted the ASF status in North Eastern states while Dr. Raju Kumar from National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal explained the current status at country level and control strategies to curb the disease. Dr. Satprakash Singh from GADVASU highlighted the status of Leptospirosis in animals and control strategies.
The major points surfaced were that capacity building of all the stakeholders in livestock value chain, improving diagnostic
facilities at local level and convergence approach of all wings involved should be undertaken at priority level. The National Academy of Veterinary Sciences (India) on this occasion released a policy paper on Leptospirosis, an important zoonotic disease.
Dr. DVR Prakasha Rao, President, NAVS appreciated efforts of GADVASU in conducting this workshop in a comprehensive manner successfully.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU and organizing secretary added that the detailed deliberations from the workshop will be paving the new ways for policy framers to effectively control these diseases in future.
Dr. JPS Gill, Director Resea
rch and Co-Organizing Secretary highlighted that this type of workshops help in bringing together all the stakeholders wherein their concerns are addressed in a holistic manner. Dr YPS Malik, Dean, College of Animal Biotechnology and Co-Organizing Secretary added that the recommendations of the workshop and brainstorming sessions will be finalized soon for further transmission to concerned authorities. He presented a vote of thanks to all the experts and participants for their enthusiastic participation.
