SRINAGAR: Directorate of Extension, SKUAST Kashmir and SAMETI Kashmir conducted a three days training program on “Avian Influenza & Pandemic Preparedness” from January 21 – 23, 2021 at Faculty Outreach Centre, Shuhama
Alusteng. The program was aimed to provide hands on training to officers of the Animal Husbandry Department, Kashmir.
During the programme, training regarding post-mortem examination of birds, sampling and submission of the material to the referral laboratories for confirmatory diagnosis. Do’s and Don’ts for poultry farmers and consumers were thoroughly discussed during the 3-day long event.
The sensitization program was inaugurated by Prof Mushtaq Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir. In his inaugural speech Prof Ahmad emphasized on raising public awareness vis-à-vis safety of consumption of chicken and chicken products besides vouching for cohesive efforts of all concerned departments for safeguarding human, animal and environmental health.
Topics like historical perspective and current Indian scenario (Dr M Altaf Bhat), reminder for One Health approach (Dr Shakil A Wani), prevention and control of infectious and contagious diseases in animals Act, 2009 (Dr Aijaz A Dar), disease monitoring and surveillance (Dr S Bashir), recognition of bird flu and laboratory diagnosis (Dr S A Kamil), role of extension functionaries in disease outbreak (Dr M S Mir), farm biosecurity measures (Dr P A Dar), pandemic preparedness and response to an outbreak (Dr M M Darzi), and food safety issues (Dr M A Paul) were discussed threadbare.
The participants while appreciating the efforts of the organizing committee desired to have more such programs in future as these help build their capacity in confronting challenging situations. The organizers hailed the support of teaching (Dr Abdul Hai, Dr Afzal Akhand and Dr S A Hamdani) and non-teaching staff of the Division of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Extension in smooth conduct of the training program. The technical sessions were moderated by Dr Aijaz A Dar, Assistant Professor (Vety Medicine), Directorate of Extension.

KR Desk