Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Department of Bio-technology has launched “Brucella Free Villages” in certain States;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to develop novel diagnostics and vaccination to tackle Brucellosis affecting cattle as well as humans?
(a)&(b) Yes Madam. Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has launched a pilot scale programme on “Brucella Free Villages”. The programme is implemented for a period of three years in 50 selected villages of 10 states by Brucella laboratories established under DBT network on Brucellosis. The work plan involves screening of animal and human population in a given village through indigenously developed diagnostic kits, vaccination and quarantine of infected animals.
(c) The Department of Biotechnology in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is implementing a DBT network on Brucellosis involving 16 centres and more than 80 researchers from National Institutions and State Veterinary Universities since 2013. The network involves epidemiology of disease, development of new generation vaccines and diagnostics. Three different diagnostic platforms have been developed for detection of disease in humans and animals. A modified animal vaccine experimented in regulatory clinical trials on buffalos with success in protecting from disease. Studies also undertaken for development of vaccine for use by veterinarians, animal handlers and researchers.