November 12, 2024

Punjab, India achieves 48% coverage in foot and mouth disease immunisation for livestock

Punjab, India's Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries Minister, S Gurmeet Singh Khudian, announced that over 48% of the state's livestock has been vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) within 18 days of launching a state-wide mass-immunisation drive.

The minister highlighted the establishment of five flying squad teams to evaluate the drive's effectiveness. Each squad will oversee four to five districts, ensuring accurate reporting of FMD immunisation data and conducting visits to livestock farms throughout the state.

According to the Animal Husbandry department, over 3,148,000 cattle out of the state's total 65,47,407 livestock have been vaccinated to date. The vaccinations have been administered by 816 teams working across Punjab. Minister Khudian has directed department authorities to complete vaccinations for all livestock by November 30, 2024.

In an appeal to livestock farmers, Khudian encouraged participation in the drive to protect cattle from FMD. The Punjab Animal Husbandry department has established a state-level control room, alongside district-level control rooms at the offices of the Deputy Directors of the Animal Husbandry department, to assist in the effort. A helpline number has also been set up to provide support to farmers.

Principal Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries, Rahul Bhandari, announced that the department has procured 5,586,000 disposable syringes with needles and other logistical supplies at a cost of INR 10.8 million (US$127,000) to ensure efficient administration of the vaccination drive.

Bhandari emphasised that the vaccination service is being provided free of cost to all livestock in the state. He called on officials to maintain the cold chain required for vaccine preservation and urged the continued education of livestock farmers on the benefits of the immunisation drive.

-      Yes Punjab