Under the esteemed National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP), the Department of Animal Husbandry & Fisheries has initiated the 4th Round of Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccination in U.T. Chandigarh. This campaign commenced today in the village of Sarangpur, Chandigarh, under the guidance of Hari Kallikkat, IAS Secretary of Animal Husbandry.
Foot and Mouth Disease, a significant viral ailment affecting cattle, pigs, and sheep, stands as one of the world’s most economically impactful diseases of livestock. Chandigarh has maintained its status as a disease-free zone for contagious diseases in animals and birds.
NADCP, a Central Government Scheme aimed at eradicating Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis in livestock, strives to enhance the animal health sector. The overarching goal of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Scheme is to improve animal health through prophylactic vaccination programs, capacity building, disease surveillance, and the fortification of the Animal Health Care System.
Expressing the severity of Foot and Mouth Disease’s economic impact globally, Hari Kallikkat appealed to farmers to actively support the vaccination campaign. He urged them to ensure the success of the initiative by getting their livestock vaccinated and adhering to the vaccination schedule without interruption.
Dr. Kanwarjit Bhangoo, Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, emphasized that this one-month vaccination campaign aims to reach 25,000 large and small animals through door-to-door vaccination, provided free of cost according to Government of India guidelines. Livestock in Chandigarh has been tagged and issued a “Pashu Aadhar” number for proper identification and record-keeping of vaccinated animals.
Dr. Bhangoo highlighted the importance of mass and repeated vaccination to control Foot and Mouth Disease and stressed the need for maintaining hygienic conditions to combat viral infections promptly.
During the launch, Municipal Corporation Counsellor Satinder Singh Sidhu and 60 livestock farmers participated. Sidhu commended the department’s efforts in ensuring efficient health coverage for Chandigarh’s livestock population. Dr. Ashwani, the Nodal Officer of the scheme, and Dr. Rupinder Toor were also present at the event.