Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 24: Animal husbandry minister, Prabhu Chauhan, in a media release, stated that an organized vaccination campaign will be launched for foot-and-mouth disease of the cattle in Karnataka on the model of pulse polio programme.

Speaking to the media on the issue, he said that this disease has been identified so far in 4,475 animals spread over 419 villages of 18 taluks. He said that the other infected cattle have been cured after treatment. "Medical officers of our department have been working continuously to regulate the disease on a continuous basis in the taluks where the disease has been found. We have issued strict instructions to keep close watch on the situation. So far, 57 cows in the state have died while 4,066 cattle have been healed of the condition," he explained.

He said that ring vaccine drive is undertaken in a radius of five km from the spot where foot and mouth disease has been identified and added that already over four lac cattle have been vaccinated. He also stated that the deputy director, assistant director and veterinary officers have been instructed to handle this disease on priority and work hard to regulate the disease.

The minister said that the concerned have been instructed to keep holding meetings to contain the spread of the disease. He warned that strict action will be taken without fear or favour if negligence on the part of officials is observed. "In November and December 2020, 17 rounds of vaccination programmes were held. In the past, vaccination was carried out at the ratio of 60:40. Now, as we are getting vaccines to the full extent, there has been some delay.in undertaking the vaccination drive that should have been undertaken in June, but as the central government plans to hold vaccination all over the country at a time, there has been some delay in the supply of the vaccine," he informed.

He said that by the month end, 25 lac doses of the vaccine are expected to be supplied, and steps will be taken to supply the same on priority to districts where the disease has attained serious proportions.