October 18, 2007

India's state of Punjab sets up livestock diagnostic laboratories

India's state of Punjab has planned 'new disease diagnostic laboratories' in the province to provide diagnostic/investigation facilities for monitoring livestock health.

These laboratories will be set up at a cost of Rs 65 million (US$1.65 million ) in Mandi Bahauddin, Nankana Sahib, Pakpattan, Kasur, Narowal, Lodhran and Rajanpur areas.

Sources in the Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Department told Business Recorder that these laboratories would provide diagnostic and research facilities in nine different districts of the province to identify infectious diseases in large as well as small animals.

The laboratories will provide facilities that would identify causes of 'mastitis' disease in the animals through milk and fecal samples to check for endoparasites in all classes of animals.

It would also provide diagnosis of foot and mouth diseases in small animals like sheep and goats as well.

The purpose of the laboratories is to help proper diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases so as to improve production of both meat and milk, sources said.

The project will be completed in phases and spread over a span of three years.