Vaccine drive to avert foot and mouth disease

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Department has launched a massive vaccination drive to prevent Foot and Mouth Disease, which is a highly contagious viral disease, among cattle and buffaloes.

An official team from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Chennai Region, conducted the programme on Sunday in Villivakkam, vaccinating 198 white cattle and 123 black cattle under the supervision of Dr Finton Missor, Regional Joint Director, Kancheepuram, and Dr Ayub Khan, Monitoring Officer, Department of Animal Husbandry, Chennai.

In a press release, the Department has stated that the viral disease affects the cloven footed animal. And, it has been characterised by severe blisters on the mouth and on foot of the infected animals and it may lead to severe ulcers.

The disease has been transmitted easily among the animals due to unhygienic surroundings, improper sanitation in the shelters and spread through the saliva of the affected animals and contaminated fomites.

The virus is shed through secretions and excretions of the infected animals. The disease causes lesser milk production, infertility, reduction in value of skin and hides. It also increases mortality among the calves.

In an effort to combat the disease, the Department undertook the programme to vaccinating all cattle and buffaloes for free of cost. The programme is conducted once in six months covering 93.86 lakh cattle and buffalo in the State. Special teams formed to conduct the programme in all the villages in 21 days.

All the age groups of cattle and buffaloes eligible to be vaccinated excepting sick animals and calves less than three months old and cattle likely to bear calves immediately.

So far, 2,722 white cattle and 178 black cattle were administered the vaccination. The department called upon the people to utilise and programme and contact 044-24352873 Dr Finton Missor, Joint Di-rector, Animal Husbandry, Kancheepuram for further information.