Foot and mouth disease vaccination drive launched

The collector, who also inspected the animals, said that a total of 5.79 lakh livestock in the district would be inoculated against the disease through the month-long vaccination camp. A total of 162 mobile livestock vaccination teams have spread out throughout the district to ensure full coverage.

Officials said total coverage was necessary to ensure that no animal contracted the disease, which could easily spread and affect other animals. A serious outbreak could cripple livestock owners financially, they felt. The collector also used the occasion to call on those present to exercise their voting rights without fail on April 18-the polling day.

Those present on the occasion included the animal husbandry department’s regional joint director, J Navaneedhakrishan, assistant director (Vellore) Paneerselvam, and disease investigation unit AD Dr Srihari.