Punjab: 48% animals vaccinated against foot and mouth disease

Punjab: Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian on Friday said that more than 48 per cent of the livestock in the state has been vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) within just 18 days of the statewide mass vaccination drive that began on October 21. According to him, five flying squads have been formed to assess the effectiveness of the vaccination drive. Each team has been assigned the task of covering four-five districts and visiting livestock farms across the state to confirm FMD vaccination data.

Of the total 65,47,407 animals in the state, more than 31.48 lakh cattle have been vaccinated against FMD by 816 teams of the Animal Husbandry Department. He directed the department officials to ensure that all the animals are vaccinated against FMD by November 30. Urging livestock farmers to take advantage of the drive to save cattle from FMD, Khuddian informed that Punjab Animal Husbandry Department has set up district level control rooms as well as a control room at the state level in the offices of Deputy Directors of Animal Husbandry Department. The department has also provided a helpline number (0172-5086064) to assist livestock farmers.