International Conference on Brucellosis 2016 inaugurated in New Delhi

The International Conference on Brucellosis 2016 and the 69th meeting of the International Society on Brucellosis was inaugurated in New Delhi.
The three day conference has been organised by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in collaboration with Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR).
Highlights of the conference

• Provide a technical platform for scientist and experts from all over the world including Participants from 26 countries.
• Help endemic countries in designing effective control strategies and eradication methods as per the laws governing the livestock production systems.

The conference is result of DBT’s network programme on Brucellosis launched in 2012 to address the epidemiology and development of new generation of vaccines and diagnostic kits.
Brucella Free Villages programme

• On the sidelines of the conference, Brucella Free Villages programme was also launched. It will be implemented on pilot scale in 50 villages covering 10 states.
• This programme will be supported by guidelines and standard operating practices along with an IT enabled application.

About Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a dreadful disease caused by genus of bacteria known as Brucella. It infects various species of Brucella cows, buffalos, goats, sheep, pigs, dogs and other animals and also humans.
 How it is transmitted?
Human become infected by this disease by coming in contact with animals or animal products (meat and milk) contaminated with these bacteria. The persons who are exposed to high risk of brucellosis infection are dairy man, veterinarians, butchers and other animal handlers.
What are symptoms?
In infected humans, range of brucellosis symptoms are seen. They are similar to the flu and may include fever, headache, sweats, back pain and physical weakness. In case of severe infections of the central nervous system (CNS) or lining of the heart may also occur.
Diagnosis
Often it is diagnosed after ruling out all other fevers such as those caused by typhoid, malaria, dengue etc. Chronic brucellosis can be treated with triple-antibiotic therapy.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2016