Camps in Erode to vaccinate 3.05 lakh cattle against foot-and-mouth disease to be held from July 2 to 31

Special camps to vaccinate 3,05,200 cattle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) will be held across Erode district from July 2 to 31.

A release said farmers’ additional income largely depends on livestock, and FMD remains a challenge. The disease commonly affects the legs and mouths of cows and buffaloes, causing reduced milk yield, infertility, lower draught power, and increased mortality in calves — leading to economic losses.

Under the National Animal Disease Control Programme, the seventh round of FMD vaccination will be carried out by the Department of Animal Husbandry to protect livestock.

The free vaccination drive for cattle and buffaloes will cover all hamlets, revenue villages, town panchayats, municipalities, and corporations. A total of 114 teams have been formed for the drive, and 3,38,200 vaccine doses have been procured and stored safely in a cold room at the Animal Disease Investigation Unit.

Livestock owners are urged to make use of the special camps to vaccinate their animals and protect them from the disease, the release added.