Special drive to combat foot rot in migratory flocks launched

The Animal Husbandry Department has initiated a special campaign to monitor and control foot rot disease in migratory sheep and goat flocks. During a high-level meeting, Director Dr Pradeep Sharma reviewed the department’s efforts, focusing on recent outbreaks among migratory flocks of Gaddi shepherds.

Joint Director Dr Vishal Sharma informed the media that 60 flocks, comprising 6,000 animals, have already been screened by the department’s quick response teams, consisting of veterinary doctors and pharmacists. The teams are actively monitoring the flocks in Kangra district, and clinical treatments have been provided to 749 animals for lameness and related conditions. No deaths from foot rot have been reported so far.

Samples from affected flocks have been collected by scientists from the Disease Investigation Laboratory in Mandi. Six dipping, vaccination and drenching centres are operational at various locations including Jia, Bandla, and Bir, where animals are being treated and vaccinated for diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease and Peste des Petits Ruminants.

These centres, staffed 24/7 by departmental officers, will continue to provide medical assistance and disease prevention services to the shepherds until the end of the migration season. Neighbouring districts such as Chamba, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Una have also been alerted, with quick response teams ready to assist the shepherds and their flocks as they migrate towards winter pastures.

Six vaccination centres operational

Six dipping, vaccination and drenching centres are operational at various locations, including Jia, Bandla, and Bir where animals are being treated and vaccinated for diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).