Sri Vijaya Puram, June 1: The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Andaman & Nicobar Administration, formally launched the 33rd Round (7th Phase of NADCP) of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Mass Vaccination Campaign today across South Andaman.
The month-long drive is being implemented under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme – Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LH&DCP). For effective implementation, the Department has constituted 11 specialised vaccination teams comprising vaccinators, animal handlers and veterinary personnel under the supervision of Senior Veterinary Officers.
Simultaneously with the vaccination drive, animal ear-tagging is also being carried out on a large scale. This will help in proper identification, maintaining accurate health records and effective monitoring of animals under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP).
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs. The disease causes significant economic losses to farmers through reduced milk production, poor growth and infertility. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have successfully maintained FMD-free status for the last six years due to consistent preventive efforts.
The Department has appealed to all livestock owners to extend full cooperation to the vaccination teams by ensuring their animals are ear-tagged and made available for vaccination on the scheduled dates. Collective participation is essential to maintain the FMD-free status of the Islands and safeguard the livestock sector.