Rinderpest Eradication Laboratory was established in 1965 in Palakkad, under the Rinderpest Eradication Scheme as part of the National Rinderpest Eradication Programme (NPRE). The laboratory is well equipped with modern facilities for the diagnosis of diseases of animals and poultry. 18 regular Check posts, 6 Vigilance Units, 2 Mobile Units, and 2 Mass Vaccination Squads function under the NPRE scheme. Subsequent to the declaration by the international committee of the OIE, Kerala state is provisionally declared free from Rinderpest with effect from 1-3 -1998. The Rinderpest Eradication Laboratory is considered as the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory under the technical control of Chief Disease Investigation Office, Palode.

Objectives

• Disease investigation during outbreaks.

• Referral support to field Veterinarians and Clinical Laboratories in disease diagnosis.

• Surveillance of emerging diseases.

• Screening for hazardous diseases like TB, Johne’s Disease, Brucellosis and Salmonellosis.

• Imparting training to field Veterinarians and Para veterinarians in latest trends in disease diagnosis in four districts viz; Ernakulum, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.

• Inspection of animals and birds entering the state through the check posts to restrict the entry of infected animals/birds. Strict vigil has been exercised in the check posts to check the violation of PCA rules during the transport of animals.

• To conduct stock route search in the villages along the seven identified high-risk high-density stock routes to detect hidden foci of RP infection, if any by the Vigilance Units and Mobile Units.

Working Hours

Ordinary days : 10AM – 5PM

Note: – Second Saturdays, Sundays and other State holidays are applicable for this institution.

Management

Joint Director (RE) in the cadre of Joint Director is the head of office.

Staff structure

Sl. No	Posts	Number of posts
1	Joint Director (RE)	1
2	Assistant Rinderpest Officer(Assistant Director)	1
3	Veterinary Surgeon(HQ)	1
4	Head clerk	1
5	Clerk/Senior clerk	4
6	Office Attendant	2
7	Driver	1
8	Part Time Sweeper	1
MASS VACCINATION SQUAD
1	Veterinary Surgeon	2
2	Livestock Inspectors	22
3	Attendants	4
4	Driver	2
	Rinderpest Mobile units 2 Nos
1	Veterinary Surgeon	2
2	Livestock Inspectors	9
3	Attendants	2
4	Driver	1
Rinderpest Vigilance units 6 Nos.
1	Veterinary Surgeon	6
2	Livestock Inspectors	41
3	Attendants	4
4	Driver	4
Rinderpest Check posts 18 Nos.
1	Veterinary Surgeon	2
2	Field Officer	19
3	Livestock Inspectors	57
4	Attendants	36
5	Part Time Sweeper	4