January 7, 2014

India's Kerala reports 4,700 cattle deaths due to FMD

Following an outbreak few months ago, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has claimed lives of over 4,700 cattle in Kerala, State Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan told the state Assembly.

Replying to a submission in this regard, he said the FMD was now under control due to the effective remedial steps taken by the government.

A sum of INR1.9 crore (US$305,000) has been distributed to farmers who lost cattle as compensation. In order to initiate measures to check spread of disease, INR2 million (US$32,000) has been allotted to districts, with free treatment and vaccination being carried out as part of the measures, he added.