The State Government has urged the Centre to include Odisha in the Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme (FMD-CP) to protect a sizable livestock population, which immensely contribute to the agricultural economy of the State.
Chief Secretary GC Pati pointed out that with a good repository of diverse, vast and unique animal genetic resources, Odisha occupies a strategic position to lead and intensively participate in breed conservation and improvement. However, the FMD is a major impediment in the growth of the sector as it causes direct economic loss to the farmers.
Pati in a letter to Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Union Secretary Anup Kumar Thakur urged to include Odisha under the FMD-CP for the larger interest of dairy development of the State.
The Chief Secretary pointed out that the State is having many zoos, national parks and sanctuaries, where wild animals remain susceptible to foot and mouth diseases. Every year, domestic animals suffer from the FMD in the State.
Sources said mortality in young animals below three months is very high and morbidity rate is also high in all susceptible animal species in the State. In adult animals, the lesions of foot and mouth causes low feed intake, leading to drastic production loss.
Preventive vaccination, disease surveillance and monitoring are proven method to control and contain FMD in susceptible animals, Pati pointed out and added that a good number of deer, bisons, neel cows and elephants are important source of infection from State’s perspective as they frequently visit human habitation zone.
Creation of immune belt in and around wild life pockets in the State particularly around zoos, national park and sanctuaries is essential to minimize the morbidity and mortality of FMD in the State, said Pati.