OUR OUTSTANDING PARASITOLOGISTS

It is a matter of great pride and pleasure that some of our Parasitologists have out shined in their professional life . This is not only in the specific field of Parasitology but they have proved their leadership being selected as Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences),ICAR ,Assistant Director General,ICAR, Vice Chancellors of Veterinary Universities , ICAR national fellow or Emeritus Scientists of ICAR. Here I am mentioning name of such distinguished scientists who have brought laurels to our profession. I will highly appreciate to know the names  of those who have left in this list. This may be mentioned either in the comments or to me via mail or whattsapp etc

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (ANIMAL SCIENCES) ICAR

PARASITOLOGIST  K.M.L. PATHAK

This was the first time in the history of ICAR , that Dr KML Pathak , a renowned Parasitologist, was selected on this coveted post in the year 2010 . He completed his term in the year 2015 .In his tenure he took many important decisions- one was arranging brain storming workshops in veterinary universities to augment research and extension activities in vety universities beside  taking policy decisions at central government level.His brief resume is mentioned below.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR GENERAL (EDUCATION), ICAR

DR SC DUTT 

In  independent India, just after partition, Dr SC Dutt started his scientific career from IVRI,Izatnagar and joined as Prof and Head of Parasitology at Jabalpur in 1969. However, he realized that the place is not conducive for scientific research (or came here only to teach me as I did my MVSc under him as inservice candidate between 1970 to 1974) hence left this place in 1974 to join ICAR as Assistant Director General, education; from this place he was taken to PAU, Ludhiana as Prof and Head in 1975 by Dr BS Gill, then Dean of Vety Faculty . All these  details and memorial lectures etc are published in a book form "Remembering DR SC Dutt : The Parasitologist" in 2015 by Har Anand Publishers Pvt Ltd, New Delhi

Dr P.B.MATHUR

Another Parasitologist who did his MVSc in 1961 under Dr SC Dutt at IVRI,Izatnagar and worked as ADG (education) from 1984 till his retirement , during which period he also worked as acting Deputy Director General (Education).
Dr Pramod Bihari Mathur MVSc,Ph.D was born on 15.06.1936 in Shikohabad, district Firozabad, UP. He graduated in 1958 from UP college of veterinary science, Mathura, MVSc in 1961 from IVRI and was offered a scholarship in 1964 by German Academic Exchange Services west Germany. On his return he worked in different capacities as Head of animal health division,Avikanagar, joint director , animal health officer,FAO and ultimately as ADG in ICAR. After retirement , he also joined private veterinary college at Jaipur.
 Beside receiving many awards and being follows of many scientific academies ,Dr Mathur was also President of Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology. Dr Mathur has expired in 2014 while travelling to USA to meet his son who is residing there.

VICE CHANCELLORS OF VETERINARY UNIVERSITIES

PARASITOLOGIST K.M.L. PATHAK

Prof. Pathak has joined as Vice Chancellor of UP PanditDeenDayalUpadhyayaPashu-chikishaVigyanViswavidyalayaEvam Go-AnusandhanSansthan, Mathura, UP on 3^rdMarch, 2016. 

Prof. K.M.L. Pathak, born in village Naraura, District Etah, UP, did his B.V.Sc. & A.H; M.V.Sc. Ph.D with academic excellence from G. B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar. He obtained Post - Doc in Biotechnology from University of Salford, United Kingdom.He has served various prestigious organizations since 1981 in various capacities namely Senior Research Fellow, Research Associate and faculty member at G.B.P.U.A.&T Pantnagar; Professor, HOD and PG Faculty and Director Research at Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Director, National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner and Deputy Director General(Animal Sciences), ICAR (2010-15). For his excellent academic services, he has been conferred with numerous prestigious honors and awards including Doctor of Science (Honoriscausa) from NDUVS, Jabalpur and DUVASU, Mathura, Life Time Achievement Award, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Award, Dr. B.V.Rao Gold Medal, Dr.R.S. Swami Nath anagyer Memorial Award, Best University Teacher Award, Smt.Niranjani Parija Oration Award, Distinguished Veterinarian Award,Agriculture Leadership Award and PuratchiThalaiviSelvi JJayalalithaa Endowment Award. Various Societies also recognized his work and awarded Honor of Fellow viz., National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Academy of Veterinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Research and Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology. His leadership skills are well evident through his functioning as President, National Academy of Veterinary Sciences (2014-2016); President, Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology ,Member Adhoc Working Group on Non-Tsetse Transmitted Animal Trypanosomosis, OIE, Paris, member in Boards of Management/Governing Bodies of National Research Institutes, DADF, State Universities of Agriculture/Veterinary & Animal Sciences, State Go Seva Ayog and Expert Member in many National Committees dealing with Livestock and Poultry Science Policies, Biotechnology, Food and Bio-safety and regulatory issues. Moreover, his contribution in the field of science and research is well recognized by his more than 130 original research papers in National/International Journals of repute, 6 books,three book chapters, three Laboratory Manuals and 5 Monographs in the field of Infectious Animal Diseases and Veterinary Parasitology, Parasitic Zoonoses, deposition of 18 Gene Sequences with Gene Bank and  standardization of several technologies related to Diagnostics. He has visited more than 16 countries.

PARASITOLOGIST C RENUKA PRASAD 

Prof Renuka Prasad assumed the post of  third Vice- Chancellor of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar on 21 ^st Sept.2012.

Dr.C.Renuka Prasad completed B.V.Sc (1976) and M.V.Sc degree (1978) in Veterinary Parasitology  at the Veterinary College, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and Ph.D at the Indian Institute of Science (1991). The masters and doctoral degree programes included extensive work on morphology and immunology of Theileria species of bovines. Started his career as Instructor in the Department of Parasitology, Veterinary College, Bangalore in 1978 and joined the Institute of Animal Health & Veterinary Biologicals as Scientist  and worked in different capacities such as Deputy Director (Research), Joint Director (Operations SRDDL, Research and Investigations) and rose to the position of Director  in June 2006.

He has 51 research papers to his credit, 2 SRDDL reports, 12 Research Projects from different funding agencies amounting to several crores of rupees, Institutional Collaborative Projects in USA and Germany, Academic Council Member and Member of Board of Studies of KVAFSU and Davangere University, member of Governing Council Zoo Authority of India,  Karnataka Livestock Development Agency, Karnataka Sheep & Wool Development Corporation.

Guided 3 M.V.Sc students in Veterinary Parasitology, 1 in Wildlife Medicine, Member of Advisory Committee of 20 M.V.Sc and 12 Ph.D students.

Member of ASRB, VIT Vellore and Bangalore University students.

He was responsible for developing State of Art Laboratory Facilities for Animal Disease Investigation and Diagnosis and also for developing  New Vaccines like Pentavalent Blue Tongue Vaccine for sheep, Freeze Dried  Cell Culture Vaccine for CSF(Classical Swine Fever).

He received Best Veterinarian Award by Karnataka Veterinary Association and Best Paper Award at National Symposium on Wild animal diseases.

Course Director for 14 Training programe for Veterinary Officers of South Indian States and also Co Course Director for many National Training in Veterinary Parasitology at the Centre of Advanced Faculty Training in the Veterinary College, Bangalore.( thanks to Dr PS Banerjee,IVRI for providing this input) . 

PARASITOLOGIST  P.D. JUYAL 

On 26^th February’ 2016, Prof (Dr) Prayag Dutt Juyal, a noted Veterinary Parasitologist, academician and administrator joined Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University (NDVSU), Jabalpur as Vice Chancellor.

Born in a tiny village of Uttarakhand  on 5^th January’ 1955,after his family shifted to western UP,  he completed his graduation from Meerut University,Meerut in 1973.  Realizing his bent of mind, pursued Veterinary Science as career and graduated from GBPUAT,Pantnagar (1977) and  completed his Masters in Veterinary Parasitology from GBPUAT (1979) and Doctorate from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar (1987). He garnered a rich experience of  35 years of academic, research management and administration remaining in association with different universities viz GBPUAT, Pantnagar; RAU (Pusa), Bihar; CCSHAU, Hisar; Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana. He became Professor and Head of Department of Veterinary Parasitology and  his sincerity, devotion and commitment to work raised him to the position of Registrar, GADVASU where he served the university for a period of 4.8 years (2010-2015) .He also held the additional responsibility of Comptroller, GADVASU during the period.  About a year ago, after superannuation, he worked as Director (R & D), in PTU affiliated College.

 During his academic career, he has been honored with awards and recognition viz college merit certificate; graduate teaching assistant ship  (1978); ICAR Senior Research Fellowship (1983); Travel Bursary Award (1993), Prof B V Rao Gold Medal (1998); Fellow of National Academy of Veterinary Sciences, NAVS (2005); Prof V S Alwar Memorial Award (2006); Shiksha Rattan Puruskar (2007); Fellow of Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology,IAAVP (2007); Scientist Award from Indian Society for Veterinary Immunology and Biotechnology, ISVIB (2010 & 2013) and Fellow of National Academy of Dairy Sciences,(India) NADSI (2014).

He has to his credit more than 200 publications and 3 books. He has also been associated with Societies and Councils in different scientific initiatives and held the position of Vice – President of IAAVP. He had been the member, Academic Council, CSK HPKVV, Palampur (HP), Chhattisgarh Kamadhenu University, Raipur,(Chhattisgarh), and  Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) Izatnagar and on the editorial board of Journal of Parasitic diseases ( Springer India ), Journal of laboratory physicians (AIIMS New Delhi) ,Journal veterinary and animal sciences, Lahore and Journal of animal research. During his scientific endeavor, he visited   United Kingdom, Japan and China.

ICAR NATIONAL FELLOW

PROF M.C. AGRAWAL 

On 12 January 1995 , Prof MC Agrawal was selected as ICAR national fellow which happened first time in the history of Parasitology in India as well as in the history of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur to work on different aspects of schistosomiasis. He developed many unique techniques that will help in future studies of schistosomiasis- special mention may be made about cultivating and infecting large number of snails in polythene bags or artificial cement tank , ear-pinna polythene method of infecting large animals (goats,pigs) with counted number of schistosome cercariea and tullu vertical water pump for perfusing large animals for recovering alive schistosomes.The domestic animals behaved differently with different schistosome species. For instance local cattle breed at Jabalpur do not show clinical form of nasal schistosomiasis while S.spindale is more pathogenic in them; goats when infected simultaneously with cercariea of S.spindale and S.incognitum were able to get rid off latter schistosome species with presence of only male S.spindale at the end of the experiment.Interestingly, Praziquental was  not very effective while triclabendazole at the dose rate of 20mg /kg body weight was effective in curing nasal schistosomiasis in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh

Dr Agrawal fulfilled a great gap by publishing a book entitled "Schistosomes and schistosomiasis in South Asia"  from Springer in 2012 as there was no book on the subject although work on the topic was continued in this subcontinent since more than a century. 
The biodata and list of publications of Prof MC Agrawal can be viewed in this blog itself by going to the specific site. 

ICAR EMERITUS SCIENTIST

I do not have complete list of the Parasitologists who were awarded emeritus scientist by ICAR. I am mentioning only few names which I remember as emeritus scientist with the request to add the list. (My request to DDG HRD, ICAR has not resulted any response till date).

DR B. P PANDE , He was perhaps the first retired Parasitologist (Prof of Mathura Veterinary College) who was awarded emeritus scientist. perhaps in 1970 or so.  He worked at Lucknow

DR B V RAO  He was retired Prof of Tirupati. Perhaps he has worked on some aspects of amphistomes.

DR B B BHATIA He was retired Prof of Pantanagar .He has worked on some aspects of sarcocystosis. Perhaps it was in the year 1996-98

DR MC AGRAWAL He was retired Prof of Jabalpur. He was awarded  to work on field control of schistosomiasis. he worked from  July 2005 to June , 2007

DR MOHD HAFEEZ He was retired Prof of Tirupati. He was awarded to work on some aspects of cysticercosis , perhaps in the year 2011-2013.

                

DR SC DUTT MEMORIAL KEY NOTE ADDRESS IN NCVP

7th Dr SC Dutt memorial lecture

I am pleased to post Dr SC Dutt memorial key note address that was presented by Dr Kolandaswamy in the 25th National Congress of Veterinary Parasitology in Feb 2016. This is the continuation of Dr SC Dutt memorial lectures that were initiated in 1996 at College of Veterinary Science and AH,Jabalpur MP but faced with problems hence requested to IAAVP to transfer it in the national congress of Veterinary Parasitology so that the lecture can be held every year in the presence of the Parasitologists. In that sense this may be considered as 7th Dr SC Dutt memorial lecture.
I am reproducing the para informing about the decision of IAAVP , for record :

 It is a matter of great pleasure that 24th general body meeting  of  IAAVP ( Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology ) ,held at Kerala Veterinary College , Mannuthy  on  7^th Feb 2014 has approved our  request and IAAVP executive council’s decision as communicated  by its secretary Professor SK Gupta, Hisar  to me on  26th March 2014 . Accordingly, it is resolved vide its Agenda no. 8 that hence forth the keynote address, delivered by an eminent Parasitologist , in the annual national conference of IAAVP will be termed as  DR SC DUTT MEMORIAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS/lecture . Obviously, this key note address will be available on the website of IAAVP, as and when it becomes operational though I will be glad to upload the same on my blog www. Indianparasitologists.blogspot.com  as soon as it becomes available . By this gesture, Dr SC Dutt will be remembered each year by the Parasitologists of the country and hopefully more and more young Parasitologists will read the book “Remembering DR SC Dutt :The Parasitologist “ to know more about this eminent scientist and to study the previous lectures delivered at College of Veterinary Science & AH Jabalpur (the book is published in 2015 by Har Anand Publications Pvt Ltd, New Delhi ); perhaps, following lines of an anonymous poet are most suitable for late Professor SC Dutt   :

Where have they all gone, those simple men with great character,

those unsung heroes with fine minds, but little riches.

Alas, times have changed , there are many making loud noises,

some with much riches, but few with Sense and substance---Anon

I am thankful to Dr A Sangaran, Professor of Parasitology, Chennai and Dr SK Gupta, Hisar for forwarding me the key note address which i am posting with out any modifications.

CURRENT SCENARIO ON ZOONOTIC AND VECTOR BORNE DISEASES IN TAMILNADU 

DR KOLANDASWAMY, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH , GOVT OF TAMIL NADU

Under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, all the Health programmes including Zoonotic and vector borne diseases control activities are being implemented effectively by the Health and Family Welfare Department with the long term objectives of Vision 2023.

Zoonotic diseases are infections that are naturally transmitted, either directly or indirectly, between vertebrate animals and humans. The pathogens that cause zoonotic diseases are bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites or protozoa.  The pathogen infects directly through skin to skin contact from an infected animal or by consuming of diseased animal products. These products can be infected faeces, urine, saliva, blood, milk or other bodily fluids. A bite of an animal also directly transfers the pathogen to humans as well.

In prevention and control of Zoonotic and Vector Borne Diseases in the State, various measures were taken in coordination with various stakeholders. The budget allotted for control of Zoonotic and Vector Borne Diseases are considerably increased by the State and Central Governments every year.

Rabies is considered to be one of the Zoonotic diseases of importance in the state. In early 2000, around 50 to 60 deaths happen in the state. Now, with 24 recorded deaths in 2013 and around 8 lakh dog bites, there is a 50% reduction in the rabies cases. This is achieved by reducing the exposure of people to the rabid dog, by reducing the stray dog population and increase in the awareness of the community. State government have also introduced anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins at primary health centre level, so that dog bite patients can access to immediate care. Also, a new initiative of Rabies-free district is planned and is under implementation. For this The Nilgiris district is identified.

Anthrax is a disease caused by the spores of bacteria Bacillus Anthracis It causes enlargement of spleen. It is carried from animal to human population. This disease was not reported in humans in routine, although cases from cattle were reported sporadically. Surveillance of the people who have close contact with the cattle including, dairy farm workers and meat handlers are under surveillance for occurrence of the illness.

Leptospirosis being one of the reemerging infections of zoonotic origin, it requires timely diagnosis, treatment and control measures. Leptospirosis is being reported from most of the districts of Tamil Nadu. To strengthen the surveillance system and for early diagnosis of leptospirosis, 7 leptospirosis clinics are functioning in Thiruvallur and Madurai Districts. For screening of fever cases, IgM ELISA kits are procured and supplied to the 9 Zonal Entomological Teams, Institute of Vector Control & Zoonoses, Hosur, District Public Health Laboratories and Medical college labs. Outbreak investigation of leptospirosis is carried out by Zonal Entomological Teams and IVCZ, Hosur. Ensuring of chlorination in drinking water and pipeline breakage survey in the affected area are carried out for the control and prevention of the disease.  A State Level Reference Laboratory is functioning at State Head Quarters to provide laboratory confirmation and training. During the year of 2011-12, 3616 Leptospirosis cases recorded in the State and it has been gradually reduced to 1556 during the year 2014-15.  For the current year, 1190 cases were recorded as on December 2015.

The State have taken effective steps on control of JE /AES Cases in multi-pronged strategy a comprehensive National  Programme on Prevention and Control of JE/AES with the  participation of concerned Ministries/Departments has been launched. The goal of the Programme is to reduce morbidity, mortality and disability in children due to JE/AES.

While the state recorded 24 deaths due to rabies and more than eight lakh dog bites in 2013, data available with the department of public health shows that the number of rabies deaths has reduced by close to 50% over the last four years, thanks to concentrated sterilization and vaccination drives.

As per the records, 29 rabies deaths were recorded in 2010. There was a steep rise in 2011 which saw 42 such deaths. The following year, 28 rabies deaths were recorded. On the average, state government hospitals see 100 dog bite cases daily. "In the early 2000s, around 50 to 60 deaths were recorded annually," said the While the state recorded 24 deaths due to rabies and more than eight lakh dog bites in 2013, data available with the department of public health shows that the number of rabies deaths has reduced by close to 50% over the last four years, thanks to concentrated sterilization and vaccination drives.

As per the records, 29 rabies deaths were recorded in 2010. There was a steep rise in 2011 which saw 42 such deaths. The following year, 28 rabies deaths were recorded. On the average, state government hospitals see 100 dog bite cases daily. "In the early 2000s, around 50 to 60 deaths were recorded annually," said the While the state recorded 24 deaths due to rabies and more than eight lakh dog bites in 2013, data available with the department of public health shows that the number of rabies deaths has reduced by close to 50% over the last four years, thanks to concentrated sterilization and vaccination drives.

As per the records, 29 rabies deaths were recorded in 2010. There was a steep rise in 2011 which saw 42 such deaths. The following year, 28 rabies deaths were recorded. On the average, state government hospitals see 100 dog bite cases daily. "In the early 2000s, around 50 to 60 deaths were recorded annually," said the

The National Filaria Control Programme is being implemented in Tamil Nadu since 1957. There were 14 filaria endemic districts namely, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Vellore ,Cuddalore, Villupuram, Trichy, Perambalur, Pudukottai, Thiruvannamalai, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Kanniyakumari in the State. Under Filaria Control Programme , 25 Filaria Control Units have been established filaria control activities are carried out in 43 urban areas through Night Clinics (44) and Filaria and Malaria Clinics(42) and conduct anti larval operation. Larvicides and tablets (Di-ethyl Carbamazine (DEC) and Albendozole) are procured from Government of India funds.

Single dose Mass DEC Drug Administration programme (MDA) is being carried out from 1997-98 in all endemic districts. The Mass Drug Administration programme was conducted in endemic districts with the objective to bring down the mf rate to less than 1.

The filarial cases are in declining trend due to the continued effort of the department.  During the year 2008, 89 micro filarial positive cases were recorded in the endemic districts of the State and now drastically decreased to 9 micro filarial cases in three endemic districts.

Although the incidence of malaria declined significantly, it continues to remain an important public health issue. No death have been recorded under malaria affected districts. While the number of cases has shown a steady decline, still it is reported in few urban and rural areas in Tamil Nadu viz., Chennai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai and Kanniyakumari Districts. The total number of positive cases recorded in the State last year was 8714.  Till now in the current year, 379 malaria cases have been reported.  The vector control initiatives are now taken up by the local bodies in a comprehensive manner.

For the prevention and control of Dengue, various steps are taken by the department including

•         State Level and District level Epidemic co-ordination committee meeting for action plan against implementation of Dengue control.

•         Intensive driving being undertaken for source reduction of mosquitoes and effective case management of fever cases.

•         Indigenous traditional Indian Medicine such as Nila Vembu, Malai Vembu and papaya leaf juices are given to public based on the guidance of our Hon’ble Chief Minister which had a remarkable effect.

•         Daily fever surveillance is done in all Primary Health Centres, Taluk Hospitals, District Hospitals, Medical College Hospitals and Private Hospitals.

•         Medical camps are conducted to check fever.

•         All doctors are oriented on Dengue case management protocols.

•         People are educated on the care of Dengue affected patients.

•         IEC materials with message on Dengue and Chikungunya like corrugated boards have been prepared and displayed.

•         Short film has been prepared and distributed to all districts screening

Daily fever admission for all fevers in the Government and Private Medical Institutions are monitored and analysed.  We have taken specific precaution steps for Zika viral diseases and alert the important stakeholders in the state.

Health awareness activities among the various stakeholders were taken effectively for the control of Vector Borne Diseases and Zoonotic diseases. The State Public Health Department established 104- Health Help line functioning round the clock at the Directorate. A 24x7 epidemic control room is functioning for effective real time disease monitoring and media scanning.

In recent times, emerging zoonotic diseases are posing threat to Tamil Nadu including Ebola and ZIKA from other countries and Kyasanur forest disease from nearby states. Constant vigil on the disease surveillance is needed for better prevention and control of zoonotic and vector borne diseases.

Organised public health efforts, inter-sectoral coordination, community participation and international collaboration are needed for prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging diseases. One health approach is a strategic way of controlling zoonotic diseases. Govt. of Tamil Nadu is taking above measures for the prevention and control of the zoonotic diseases in the state.