Sri Vijaya Puram, June 1: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, A&N Administration, is going to launch the 31st Round (6th Phase of NADCP) of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) mass vaccination. The vaccination campaign will start from tomorrow (June 2) 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 11 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 significant disease. The Department of AH&VS is committed to eradicating FMD from the Islands. In this round of mass vaccination, a total of 9000 animals are going to be vaccinated.
The Department of AH&VS has urged all livestock owners to cooperate fully and ensure their animals are ear-tagged and vaccinated against FMD to help make the Island FMD- free.