Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has reached a milestone by vaccinating around 24 crore cattle and buffaloes in the country out of a targeted population of 25.8 crores; reaching a near-universal coverage of cattle (over 95%) which is well beyond the herd immunity level.
Foot and Mouth Disease:
- Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral vesicular disease of cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs etc.
- Once contracted, it causes abscesses and ulcers to the mouth and foot that prevent the animal from eating and walking. It does not affect humans.
- FMD leads to reduction in milk yield, decreased growth rate, infertility, reduced working capacity in bullocks, trade embargo in the international market.
National Animal Disease Control Programme:
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) launched the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) in 2019, a part of the Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme.
- The program aims to control Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) through vaccination leading to its eventual eradication by 2030. Currently under this program vaccination is carried out in all cattle and buffaloes.
- The program is 100% funded by the Government of India which is centrally procuring vaccines against FMD and supplying them to States.
- The livestock owners are sensitized and made aware through various information, education and communication measures to get their animals vaccinated and requested to contact the nearest livestock health workers/ veterinarians to avail of the facility.
- Significance: It will help in increasing the income of livestock farmers/ keepers and boost India’s trade in livestock products.
