Three districts report outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
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At a time when persons are going through the COVID-19 pandemic, the cattle inhabitants within the State too is going through a menace as there was an outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in a couple of villages.
The disease has been reported from Chickballapur, Bengaluru Urban, and Ramanagaram districts thus far.
FMD is a critical viral disease that impacts cloven-hoofed animals and may even be deadly. It is a nightmare for farmers as it will possibly trigger everlasting harm to the well being system of cattle and have an effect on the monetary viability of animal husbandry.
Veterinarians working on the grassroot degree blame this for the State lacking out on earlier spherical of FMD vaccination.
“Vaccination against FMD is strictly carried out once in six months to prevent the outbreak of the viral disease. But the previous round of vaccination scheduled sometime in October 2020 could not be carried out due to COVID-19 pandemic then,” mentioned a veterinary physician.
State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Director Shivaram B.N. mentioned that the scenario was underneath management.
Pointing out that FMD vaccination drive is only a Central authorities programme, he admitted that the earlier spherical couldn’t be taken up as a result of of COVID-19. However, the subsequent spherical of vaccination is scheduled someday in July, he identified.
“But as an immediate measure, we have permitted deputy directors of all the affected districts to procure the vaccine from private vendors and ensure that cattle population is vaccinated against FMD,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, in Bannikuppe village of Ramanagaram district, over 10 cows are believed to have been contaminated by FMD based on B.G. Sathish, secretary of the milk producers’ co-operative society of the village.
“Last year, there was no serious incidence of FMD in our village. But this time, due to the delay in cattle vaccination programme, the FMD has infected at least 10 cows in the village,” he mentioned.
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