International Parasitology Conference 2024 held at UVAS Lahore

The Department of Parasitology of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences organized the International Parasitology Conference 2024 PARACON-24 in collaboration with the Pakistan Society of Parasitology and Higher Education Commission. A large number of national and international researchers joined this PARACON 2024 specially focused on veterinary Parasitology.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Younus presided over the inaugural Session of PARACON-24. Prof. Dr. Neil Sargison from the UK was the chief guest of the event. Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Prof. Dr. Anila Zamir Darani, Chairman of the Department of Parasitology Prof. Dr. Kamran Ashraf, and Prof. Dr. Imran Rasheed were also present at the opening ceremony of PARACON 2024

Along with Pakistan, researchers, veterinary professionals, public health specialists, medical specialists, and medical specialists from other countries of the world including Canada, the United Kingdom, Austria, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Tunisia, China, Italy, and Iran also joined this international Parasitology Conference. Many lecturers, biologists, biochemists, senior officers from the Livestock Department, research scholars, teachers, students, experts, parasitologists, and professionals participated in this conference of veterinary parasitology.

معلومات: لائیوسٹاک میں ڈیورمنگ کے مختلف پہلو

International Parasitology Conference 2024 – Opening

Speaking at the opening ceremony of PARACON-24, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Younus welcomed the local and foreign experts. He said that the suggestions of national and international experts in the PARACO 2024 will prove to be very beneficial to control parasites in cattle, reduce mortality, and improve their health and reproduction. Furthermore, he said that the input of researchers and experts on veterinary parasitology will not only increase the production of milk and meat in the country but also stabilize the national economy. Moreover, he appreciated the efforts of the organizers and the Pakistan Society of Parasitology for organizing the conference on the subject.

Download Abstract Book

Prof Dr. Anila Zameer Darani said that food security is a serious problem in our country and the International Parasitology Conference is a milestone in solving food security-related issues. He further said that livestock in Pakistan is facing challenges like climate change, one health, and zoonotic and parasitic diseases which are major reasons for low milk and meat production. Later, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Younus along with other guests also inaugurated the poster presentation.

Earlier, Prof. Director Imran Rasheed while explaining the aims and objectives of the conference, said that in the two-day international conference, the experts in the field of parasitology will discuss the recent development and the current issues. They will express their views based on relevant modern research principles. Professor Dr. Kamran Ashraf thanked the attendees from different countries around the world including Pakistan.

The interactive program, lectures, poster display, and online presentations from Canada were also presented at the two-day conference by the Pakistan Society of Parasitology

Recommendations – PARACON 2024

At the end of the PARACON-24, the experts made recommendations in which they proposed an integrated management system to control parasites/worms for sustainable livestock production and to stop the use of non-rational drugs to prevent drug resistance.

سلاٹر ہاؤس فضلے کا کھاد کے طور پر استعمال اور پیرا سائیٹس کا کنٹرول

He said that dairy farm animals especially cows and buffaloes are considered more important in terms of the spread of parasites (insects) while food and water-borne insects spread diseases in humans and animals.

Experts suggested that food security is an extremely important problem in developing countries and parasites are the biggest cause of it. Moreover, the effective treatment of diseases will be possible only by making the best vaccine.

In the two-day international conference, experts informed the participants about the recent developments in the field of veterinary Parasitology and the emerging issues related to human and animal health. Experts and researchers discussed various topics based on modern research principles related to parasitic diseases, diagnostics, vaccines, zoonotic parasitic diseases, one health approach, and the role of vets and veterinary parasitology in the control of vector-borne diseases.

International Parasitology Conference 2024 – Closing

The closing ceremony of the International Parasitology Conference 2024 was presided over by Mr. Ghulam Nabi, Director General, Higher Education Commission, Lahore Region. He appreciated the efforts of organizers, the Pakistan Society of Parasitology,  and the leadership of the University for organizing this successful PARACON 2024.

He further said that the Higher Education Commission is providing financial support for promoting research and conducting research projects at the University.

Prof Dr. Mohammad Younus said that the recommendations made by the experts at the PARACON-24 are extremely important for the livestock sector, cattle breeders, and stakeholders, especially to increase the production of milk and meat in the country and the national economy.

What was the main focus of the International Parasitology Conference 2024 at UVAS Lahore?

The main focus of the International Parasitology Conference 2024 was on veterinary parasitology, particularly addressing recent developments, current issues, and strategies for controlling parasitic diseases in animals to enhance livestock productivity and food security.

Who were the key speakers and dignitaries at the PARACON-24 event?

The event was presided over by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Younus, with Prof. Dr. Neil Sargison from the UK as the chief guest. Other distinguished attendees included Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Prof. Dr. Anila Zamir Darani, Chairman of the Department of Parasitology Prof. Dr. Kamran Ashraf, and Prof. Dr. Imran Rasheed.

What countries participated in the International Parasitology Conference 2024?

Researchers, veterinary professionals, and health specialists from Pakistan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Austria, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Tunisia, China, Italy, and Iran participated in the conference, sharing their expertise and latest research.

What were some of the key recommendations made during PARACON-24?

The experts recommended implementing an integrated management system for parasite control to ensure sustainable livestock production, reducing the use of non-rational drugs to prevent resistance, and emphasizing the importance of vaccines and proper management of food security issues.

How did the conference aim to impact the livestock sector and national economy?

The conference aimed to enhance the control of parasitic diseases in livestock, which would increase milk and meat production, stabilize the national economy, and support food security by reducing parasite-related losses and health issues in animals.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

See Full Bio