VC Younus urged to suggest recommendations for eradicating fatal parasites in animals
LAHORE (09-10-24): The Department of Parasitology of the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore in collaboration with Pakistan Society of Parasitology and Higher Education Commission (HEC) arranged a two-day International Parasitology Conference (PARACON-24) with the theme of “Tackling Food Security Challenges” on Wednesday in UVAS City Campus Lahore.
UVAS Vice-Chancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Muhammad Younus (DLA.I, T.I) presided over the inaugural session of the conference while Prof Dr Neil Sargison from Uk was the Guest of Honour, Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani, Chairman Department of Parasitology/President Pakistan Society of Parasitology Prof Dr Kamran Ashraf, Conference Secretary Prof Dr Imran Rashid and renowned veterinary & medical practitioners, parasitologists, molecular biologists, biochemist, vector control specialists, zoologists, scholars, researchers, academicians experts from different countries, including Canada, the UK, Romania, Columbia, Czech republic, Italy, Austria, Iran, China, Tunis, Belgium and number of participants from public & private organizations, senior officials from Livestock Department and all over Pakistan attended in the (PARACON-24).
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Muhammad Younus welcomed all the participants of conference who came from different parts of the world to make this successful event. He called national & foreign experts to suggest recommendations for eradicating parasites in animals, thus reducing mortality ratio and improving health and production of animals. He said I am optimistic that experts will share their knowledge, skills and experience with each-others to curb parasitic diseases and they suggest how to control especially for the development of livestock sector and boost national economy of country as well. He lauded organizer of PARACON conference to arranging such an informative conference in befitting manners.
Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani said that food security is a serious issue in Pakistan and this conference will be milestones to address food security issues. She said livestock sector facing many challenges like climate change, one health, zoonotic and parasitic diseases which cause to reduce livestock production in Pakistan.
Earlier, Prof Dr Imran Rashid said that ticks pose a significant threat to food security by transmitting diseases that lead to substantial losses in livestock production. He highlighted the objectives of the conference. He said conference was aimed to bring together veterinary & medical practitioners, parasitologists, researchers, academia, students and professionals regarding recent advances and emerging issues in parasitology with the latest research, sharing ideas and innovative knowledge. Prof Dr Kamran Ashraf presented vote of thanks. He said UVAS and Livestock Department actively working for the development livestock sector in Pakistan. He thanked Livestock Department for providing financial support for successfully completion of research projects, vaccine production also to uplift of UVAS. Prof Dr Younus along with other dignitaries inaugurated & visited poster presentations.
Various scientific sessions consisting of thought-provoking keynote and plenary lectures, oral, poster and online presentations will feature in the two-day event. Theme of the conference will cover all the major areas of parasitology and related to parasitic diseases of veterinary and public health importance, host-parasite interaction, diagnostic methods & tools, chemical treatments and prevention strategies, one health approaches, effects of environment and climate change, food security challenges, diagnostic chemoprophylaxis, anti-parasitic and vaccines of parasites, zoonotic parasitic diseases and vector-borne diseases and role of veterinarians under one-health concept epidemiology etc.
