Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec. 2: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS), A&N Administration, Sri Vijaya Puram, is going to launch the 32nd Round (6th Phase of NADCP) of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) mass vaccination. The vaccination campaign will begin from Dec. 8 targeting cattle and buffaloes across the villages of South Andaman under the Centrally Sector Scheme, Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LH&DCP). The Department has constituted 10 specialized vaccination teams for this initiative consisting of vaccinators and animal handlers and Senior Veterinary Officer as the team leader.
FMD is a highly contagious and infectious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs. The disease presents clinical signs such as high fever (104-106 degrees Fahrenheit), loss of appetite, dullness, excessive salivation, vesicles in the mouth (particularly on the gums and tongue) leading to ulcers, and wounds in the hoof, especially in the inter digital space. Blisters may also appear on teats.
FMD results in significant economic losses due to reduced milk yield, decreased growth rate, and infertility. Transmission occurs through excretions and secretions from infected animals and can be spread mechanically by animals, humans, vehicles, and other contaminated objects.
The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has classified FMD as a Schedule-A disease. No outbreak of FMD has been reported from this Union Territory since last 6 years. The Department of AH&VS is committed to keep the territory free from FMD.
The Department of AH&VS has requested all livestock owners to cooperate fully and ensure their animals are ear-tagged and vaccinated against FMD to help make the Island FMD- free.