Diagnostic Units

Disease Diagnosis, Prevention, Control & Eradication

Various bacterial, viral, protozoal, and parasitic diseases affecting livestock and poultry cause significant economic losses. Controlling and eradicating these diseases is crucial for profitable livestock production and global market acceptance.

To achieve this, specialized units are functioning across the State.

Veterinary Epidemiology Centre (VEC)

The Veterinary Epidemiology Centre was established at Saidapet, Chennai. The Centre is the nodal centre for all activities related to the Animal Disease Intelligence Units and Poultry Disease Diagnostic Laboratories.

• Co-ordinates disease diagnostic activities of the Animal Husbandry sector through ADIUs and PDDLs.
• Investigates disease outbreaks and provides remedial measures.
• Conducts bi-annual inspection of private poultry farms for Avian Influenza compartmentalization compliance.
• Co-ordinates testing of stud bulls at frozen semen production stations to ensure disease-free herds.
• Monitors vaccination work in the districts.

Animal Disease Intelligence Units (ADIU)

The ADIUs are functioning in 31 Districts and are involved in disease diagnosis, surveillance and attending to disease outbreaks immediately on receipt of information.

• Collect samples for laboratory diagnosis from affected animals.
• Send collected samples to other laboratories for further confirmatory diagnosis.
• Trace reasons for outbreaks to assist in controlling the spread of diseases.
• Prepare endemic charts to know the prevalence of disease and forecast for prophylactic vaccination.
• Attend mass contact programs and Special Livestock Health camps for spot diagnosis.
• Visit slaughter houses and collect samples to rule out zoonotic diseases.
• Undertake periodical visits to Government and private farms for monitoring livestock and poultry health.

Poultry Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (PDDL)

Poultry Disease Diagnostic Laboratories are functioning in 3 Districts — Erode, Namakkal, and Tiruppur.

• Diagnose various poultry diseases by collecting samples for testing of viral diseases, bacterial infections, and parasitic infestations.
• Undertake periodical visits to poultry units and render advice on management practices.
• Sale of poultry vaccines for timely control of poultry diseases.
• Labs at Namakkal and Erode are Bio Safety Level II (BSL-II) compliance for preliminary screening of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
• A laboratory for testing of feed and water analysis established in Palladam, Tiruppur district.

Central Referral Laboratory (CRL)

The apex laboratory of the State, the Central Referral Laboratory, is located at IVPM, Ranipet for diagnosis of livestock and poultry diseases as per World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) approved laboratory techniques.