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Page No. : 33-36

ABSTRACT

Data were collected through questionnaire and direct observation on randomly selected 20butchers from large animal slaughterhouse (LAS), 10 butchers from small animal slaughterhouse (SAS) and 30 meat retailers from Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh. The data thus generated were analyzed by frequency and percentage analysis. It was found that among various modes of transmission, maximum awareness in the butchers in LAS, SAS and meat retailers was about the contact with infected persons. Butchers and meat retailers were aware of zoonotic diseases like birdflu, rabies, tuberculosis, fascioliosis, tetanus and anthrax but they had poor knowledge about transfer of certain diseases by animal/meat handling. There was comparatively less awareness about diseases like taeniasis/ cysticercosis, salmonellosis, brucellosis and leptospirosis. Butchers gave more importance to physical fitness in order to continue their ability for meat production operations than to disease transmission. Meat handlers lacked knowledge about various ailments encountered in animals or carcasses and condemnation of diseased organs. Thus inspection by veterinarians is a must to secure production of safe and suitable meat.

Keywords: Awareness, butcher, meat retailers, slaughterhouse, zoonotic disease