Animal disease control office opened
CHITRAL, Nov 23: A zoonosis control office has been opened at the livestock building in Danin, Chitral. It may be noted that zoonosis, also called zoonotic disease, refers to diseases that can be passed from animals, whether wild or domesticated, to humans.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Dr Nizamuddin, the assistant director of livestock department, termed the opening of the office very useful and beneficial for people of Chitral. He thanked the Relief International for funding the office for the long-term benefit of farmers and peasants.
Dr. Riaz, the programme manager of Relief International, said it was a series of livestock-for-life programmes funded by US Department of States for control of zoonotic diseases in Pakistan. He said many diseases impacted human life from animal and some human diseases also impacted cattle.
Zoonotic diseases are communicable from animals to human beings and vice versa. He said some 296 diseases are zoonotic and a very serious threat to public health. Most common zoonotic disease are tuberculosis, anthrax, leshmeniasis, tetanus, rabies, brucellosis, dengue fefer, Congo fever, bird flue mosquito born malaria etc. he added.
He said the main objective of the program was to create awareness and encourage a behavior change through different ways. Prevention and response capacity building of community health workers, public health workers, veterinary health staff in controlling zoonosis was necessary.
In Pakistan, the programme is implemented in five districts of KPK, three in Balochistan. DCO Chitral Rehmatullah Wazir hailed the efforts of RI and thanked them for establishing this office to overcome on zoonotic diseases.
EDO Health Dr Saad Maluk, Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital Dr. Noorul Islam, Divisional Forest Officer Chitral Mr Mahsood, representatives of civil society and social workers were present on the occasion. Dr. Noorul Islam, the MS, said 70% of people in Chitral depend on livestock and there was great threat to their lives.–G.H. Farooqui
It is really an encouraging step to overcome the problems of Anthropozoonosis and Zooanthroposis. In next step, I hope, Relief International will take practical measures in creating awareness in community and social mobilization. The government, intellectuals, educationists and social workers have to explore these undiscovered avenues so that we will be able to overcome many problems related to our household expenditures, and spreading of diseases etc.