Asia Pacific Association of Veterinary Parasitology launched to combat zoonotic diseases

KUCHING (Sept 21): The Asia Pacific Association of Veterinary Parasitology (APAVP) has been officially established at the 21st International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria (ICTMM) 2024.

Speaking at the launching of APAVP at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today, Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud said it was the culmination of international cooperation against global health issues.

“The rise of health crises such as monkeypox, rabies, and other zoonotic diseases calls for an urgent need for global cooperation.

“These outbreaks and disease transmissions threaten Malaysia’s public health and economic trade, thus we need more experts in the field of veterinary parasitology to avoid any negative impacts on Sarawak’s development.

“DVS Sarawak is eager to collaborate with APAVP on plans that strengthen Sarawak’s control, management, and prevention of diseases affecting human and animal populations,” he said.

Boehringer Ingelheim, world’s largest pharmaceutical private firm and also the founding sponsor and partner of APAVP, affirmed its commitment to foster collaboration among industry experts and researchers to tackle the pressing challenges in veterinary parasitology across the Asia-Pacific region.

Through its sponsorship, Boehringer Ingelheim aims to transform the landscape of veterinary parasitology in the Asia-Pacific region by facilitating research, education, and discussions among local and regional experts.

“APAVP provides a vital platform for collaboration where industry experts, both locally and across the regions, can come together to share knowledge, exchange latest insights, and establish benchmarks for best practices in veterinary parasitology,” said the group’s Global Head of Technical Services for Pet Parasitology Prof Frederic Beugnet.

“Through this collective effort, we can effectively tackle the challenges facing our field.”

Meanwhile, APAVP in a separate statement said its core objectives include advancing science, research and awareness of veterinary parasitology, vector- borne diseases and parasitic zoonosis in Asia.

“APAVP is the direct legacy of the 22nd Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations Congress 2023 and the 21st ICTMM 2024.

“Its vision is to be a leading platform for networking and collaboration among veterinarians, scientists, students, industry partners, government agencies in Asian countries, and international organisations with an interest in the region,” the association said.