A large-scale Foot and Mouth Disease mass vaccination campaign will be rolled out across villages of South Andaman from December 8, as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard livestock health and prevent the re-emergence of the highly contagious disease in the islands.
The initiative marks the 32nd round of FMD vaccination and the sixth phase under the National Animal Disease Control Programme, implemented through the Centrally Sponsored Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme. The drive will focus on vaccinating cattle and buffaloes, covering rural pockets where livestock rearing continues to be an important livelihood activity.
To execute the programme, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has constituted 10 specialised vaccination teams comprising trained vaccinators, animal handlers and senior veterinary officers acting as team leaders. These teams will move village to village to ensure systematic coverage and adherence to disease control protocols.
Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly infectious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs. Animals infected with FMD typically exhibit high fever, loss of appetite, excessive salivation and painful sores in the mouth and on the hooves, often leading to reduced productivity and prolonged recovery.
The disease can cause severe economic losses for livestock owners due to sharp declines in milk yield, slowed growth and fertility-related complications. Transmission can occur through direct contact with infected animals, as well as indirectly via humans, vehicles, equipment and other contaminated materials.
According to the department, no outbreak of FMD has been reported in the Union Territory over the past six years, reflecting sustained vaccination coverage and effective surveillance. Maintaining this disease-free status remains a key objective of the ongoing campaign.
The World Organisation for Animal Health categorises FMD as a Schedule-A disease, underscoring the importance of preventive measures and rapid response to any suspected cases. Officials said mass vaccination remains the most critical tool in preventing the introduction and spread of the virus.
Livestock owners have been urged to extend full cooperation to vaccination teams by ensuring animals are presented for vaccination and properly ear-tagged as part of the programme. Department officials stressed that collective participation is crucial to protect livestock populations across the islands and preserve the territory’s disease-free record.
The department reiterated its commitment to strengthening animal health services and sustaining preventive healthcare measures, particularly in geographically dispersed areas, to support farmers and livestock-dependent households.
