A significant advancement has been made in veterinary science with the establishment of the Asia Pacific Association of Veterinary Parasitology (APAVP) during the 21st International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria (ICTMM) 2024 today.
In an exciting development, the APAVP emerges as a direct outcome of the 22nd Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) Congress 2023 and the current ICTMM. Its primary mission is to enhance the knowledge, education, and public awareness surrounding veterinary parasitology, vector-borne diseases, and parasitic zoonoses throughout Asia. The association aims to serve as a key platform for networking and collaboration among veterinarians, researchers, students, industry stakeholders, and governmental bodies within Asia and beyond.
During the launch event and press briefing, Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, Director of the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak, emphasized the urgent need for international collaboration in light of rising health threats such as monkeypox and rabies. “These zoonotic outbreaks pose serious risks to Malaysia’s public health and economic stability. We must bolster our expertise in veterinary parasitology to safeguard Sarawak’s development. The DVS Sarawak looks forward to working with APAVP to enhance our strategies for controlling diseases that impact both human and animal health.”
The founding sponsor, Boehringer Ingelheim, is committed to supporting the formation of APAVP by promoting collaboration among industry leaders and researchers to address the critical challenges facing veterinary parasitology in the Asia-Pacific. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim plays an essential role in equipping veterinarians and key opinion leaders with innovative preventive health solutions to combat parasitic and zoonotic diseases.
Through its backing, Boehringer Ingelheim aspires to reshape the landscape of veterinary parasitology in the region by enabling research, education, and dialogue among experts. “The APAVP is a crucial venue for collaboration, allowing local and regional experts to unite, share knowledge, and set benchmarks for best practices in veterinary parasitology,” stated Prof. Frederic Beugnet, Global Head of Technical Services for Pet Parasitology at Boehringer Ingelheim. “By joining forces, we can more effectively confront the challenges in our field.”
“This marks an excellent opportunity to assess the genuine impact of business events and the legacies they foster. The creation of APAVP is a prime illustration of how meaningful a convention legacy can be,” commented Amelia Roziman, CEO of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak). “We take pride in supporting both the 22nd FAVA Congress and the 21st ICTMM and are thrilled to witness the organizers’ progress on their legacy initiatives. We are keen to partner with APAVP on future legacy events in Sarawak.”
“The APAVP exemplifies the One Health approach, and we welcome anyone interested in promoting veterinary parasitology and zoonoses in the region to join,” said Dr. Reuben Sharma, President of the APAVP Steering Committee. “We have ambitious plans for the future that aim to make a substantial impact on veterinary parasitology and enhance the health and well-being of both animals and humans.”
Following today’s launch, representatives from twelve countries, including Australia, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, will convene for the inaugural Steering Committee meeting.
