Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Oct 17: "The sixth round of the foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination programme under the National animal disease control programme aims to achieve 100 percent progress by vaccinating all livestock in the district," stated Dr K Vidyakumari, Udupi deputy commissioner (DC).

Dr Vidyakumari presiding over a district-level management committee meeting for the FMD vaccination programme at the DC office, Manipal, on October 16, emphasized the need for comprehensive vaccination of all cattle. The programme is scheduled to run from October 21 to November 20, ensuring no livestock is left out of vaccination.

The deputy commissioner directed that awareness campaigns be conducted about the FMD vaccination programme using local government resources such as waste collection vehicles in urban and rural areas. She urged that people be informed about the programme to ensure its success.

Dr Vidyakumari, added that veterinarians and staff members would visit homes to administer the vaccines, seeking the cooperation of the public in the process. “In the previous fifth round of the FMD vaccination programme, the district had set a target of 215,401 animals and achieved 96.82 percent progress by vaccinating 208,558 livestock. There is a need to exceed these numbers in the sixth round to further safeguard the animals' health.”

A pamphlet containing information about foot-and-mouth disease was released during the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer Prateek Boyal, deputy director of the department of animal husbandry Dr M C Reddappa, deputy director of the department of Public Education Ganapati, deputy director of the department of women and child development Shyamala C K, Taluk chief veterinary officers, and other officials.