AGARTALA, April 25 (TIWN): World Veterinary Day was celebrated at Pragna Bhawan on Saturday. The programme was inaugurated by the Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation, Dr. Prafullajit Sinha. Among other guests, General Secretary of TVDA, Dr. Sanjib Das, B.T. Deshmukh, Principal, CV.SC. and A.H. R.K. Nagar, Bikach Chowdhury and Professor, Dr. Dharmeshwar Das, Director, ARDD were also present.

Delivering the speech in the importance of Veterinary Day, Mayor of AMC told that, every year this day is celebrated to bring attention to the many ways veterinarians contribute to the health and well-being of animals and people around the world.  Most people know veterinarians as the “animal doctors” for our pets, livestock, horses, and a variety of more diverse animals such as zoo animals and exotic pets such as birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

Whereas, B.T. Deshmukh told that, “Veterinarians are actively involved around the world in education, responsible use of medicines for animals for pain and illness, surveillance to detect and diagnose animal disease conditions, and environmental protection.  Veterinarians care about the health and well-being of animals, people, and the environment we share together because animals affect human health.

It is to be mention that, this year the theme of World Veterinary Day is “VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES WITH A ZOONOTIC POTENTIAL.” Vector-borne zoonotic diseases are becoming a major public health concern in all world regions and are not limited only to tropical and subtropical areas.

Changes in Global climate influences the increase of emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases and disease outbreaks. Vector-borne zoonotic diseases are an important example of the interdependence that exists between vectors, animal hosts, climate conditions, pathogens, and susceptible human population.

Veterinarians are key actors of the One Health Concept at the animal-human-environment interface. Therefore, they play a central role in safeguarding Public Health.

Collaboration and coordination between veterinarians and physicians are fundamental to prevent and then treat vector-borne diseases.

 World Veterinary Day activities around the world vary from seminars, workshops, "open doors " activities at clinics, hospitals and veterinary schools, social and media events to inform the general public about the key role played by veterinarians in our daily life.  

In 2008 the WVA and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) agreed on the creation of the World Veterinary Day Award. The aim of this award is to reward the most successful celebration of the veterinary profession. The first WVA-OIE World Veterinary Day Award was given in July 2008 to the Kenya Veterinary Association.

Every year the WVA and OIE are choosing a different theme for the World Veterinary Day Award.