Gujarat rolls out mass vaccination drive to protect livestock

The Gujarat government has launched an intensive statewide vaccination campaign to curb the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), aiming to safeguard livestock health and shield farmers from potential economic losses. The drive, which commenced on March 1, will continue until April 15 under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP).
Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral infection that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats. The disease is marked by fever, painful mouth ulcers, and excessive salivation, often leading to a sharp drop in milk production and overall animal productivity—posing a serious financial risk to dairy farmers.
As part of the campaign, livestock are being identified through ear-tagging, with their data uploaded to the INAPH platform. This digital system enables authorities to track vaccination coverage, monitor animal health, and ensure comprehensive protection across the state.Veterinary officials have underscored the importance of routine vaccination. Bhavin Kumar noted that biannual vaccination drives—conducted in March and September—are critical in preventing outbreaks and minimizing losses for cattle owners.
The initiative has received strong support from the farming community. Jigarbhai Patel, who owns 33 cows and two buffaloes, said regular visits by government teams have helped raise awareness about the importance of vaccination.Meanwhile, Mahendrabhai Patel highlighted that nearly 40% of the village’s 750 livestock have already been vaccinated during the ongoing drive.Officials emphasized that sustained, large-scale vaccination efforts are essential not only to control the disease but also to move closer to its long-term eradication, ensuring the stability of livelihoods dependent on dairy farming across Gujarat.

(State Correspondent)