JOIN US2.58 lakh cattle vaccinated for foot and mouth disease
As a part of Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme (FMDCP) in Dakshina Kannada district, a total of 2,57,955 cattle have been vaccinated as against the target of 2,64,522, thus registering 98 per cent success.
The vaccination drive was started on February 15. Out of the total cattle, 2,54,507 are cows, 3,570—buffaloes, 6,445—pigs. A total of 21 teams were costituted in the district to take up the drive with 134 vaccinators.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Department of Animal Husbandry Deputy Director Dr Halagappa said that the drive will continue for another fortnight to cover all those cattle that have been left out.
The vaccination has covered 51,804 cattle in Mangalore, 48,940 in Bantwal, 64,958 in Belthangady, 58,516 in Puttur and 33,737 in Sullia taluks.
He said “The efforts of the department of animal husbandry has yielded results as Foot and Mouth Disease and the Peste Des Petites Ruminants (PPR) disease, which were once the major challenges, have come under control, in the district. In spite of anxieties over foot and mouth disease affecting cattle in the State during October 2013, the DK district has remained away from the scene as there was no major outbreak of the disease in the district. A total of six cattle have died of the disease during 2013. A compensation of Rs 1.15 lakh have been distributed among the farmers for the loss,” Dr Halagappa said.
After the implementation of FMDCP, there has been a drastic change. In the year 2010-11, as many as 1,11,31,174 cattle were vaccinated in the State. According to the available data, a total of 3,37,150 cattle were vaccinated in 2009-10 and only two outbreaks were found. Under FMDCP in 2011- 12, a total of 2,53,872 cattle have been vaccinated. The project had covered almost all villages with the help of National Animal Disease Report System (NADRS), which played a crucial role in the success by giving an actual condition of the disease. The available data also shows that the National PPR Control Programme, a Central government programme against Peste Des Petites Ruminants (PPR) disease, has also been implemented in the district effectively. The vaccination drive is likely to be carried out in the month of April.
Dr Halagappa said that as a part of National Control Programme on Brucellosis (NCPB), milk samples collected from Milk Production Co-operative Societies (MPCS), KMF dairy (pool milk samples) and private milk vendors will be screened and arrangements have already made to procure vacination to start the drive in the month of April.
“Hopefully vaccination drive will start from the month of April after screening. Vaccination will be concentrated on female cow aged between four to five months,” he added.
The WHO considers Brucellosis to be the world’s most widespread zoonosis. Brucellosis caused by bacterium Brucella Abortus affects bovines. This disease causes abortions, loss of progeny and low milk yield. Dr Halagappa said that the data of the Brucellosis is not revealed as the bacteria is killed during the pasturisation process and will not have impact on humanbeings. However, there has been drastic improvement in disease affecting cattle following systematic vaccination programme.
Awareness camp
A district-level awareness camp for progressive farmers under Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases programme will be held at the training centre of veterinary hospital premises in Mangalore on March 20. Farmers will be given technical information of various diseases affecting cattle and livestock.