The Andhra Pradesh Animal Husbandry Department will conduct a state-wide free foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination campaign in cattle and buffaloes, including calves above four months, under the National Animal Disease Control Programme. Director of Animal Husbandry Dr. T. Damodar Naidu said on Sunday that the vaccination drive will be conducted from March 16 to April 29, during which animal husbandry department officials will visit the houses of livestock owners and administer free vaccines. The campaign will take place in two phases. The main round will be held from March 16 to April 14, followed by the second phase from April 15 to April 29, which will cover the remaining animals and administer boosters.
Dr. Damodar Naidu appealed to livestock farmers across the state to cooperate with the ministry and ensure that their animals are vaccinated to protect them from disease and avoid economic losses. Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cattle and buffaloes, especially animals with low immunity. Crossbred animals are more vulnerable to this disease than native breeds. Vaccination remains the only effective preventive measure against infection. To control the disease, the state government provided 83.69 lakh doses of vaccine to the districts for the campaign.
The virus is usually spread through wounds in animals, contaminated food, feed, water, droppings and urine of infected animals. It can cause a sharp drop in milk production, weakness and emaciation of animals, reduce the working capacity of bulls and steers, and in some cases even the death of calves. Infection can also lead to serious economic losses for livestock farmers. Common symptoms of the disease include a high fever between 104 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit, blisters in the mouth, gums, tongue and lips that burst and cause severe pain, and excessive salivation. Blisters may also appear between the hooves and on the udders, causing lameness, swelling and secondary bacterial infections. In severe cases, calves may die after consuming milk from infected animals, and pregnant animals may miscarry. Affected animals can take up to six months to fully recover and may experience weakness, breathing difficulties and reduced heat tolerance.
Published – 15 March 2026 21:37 IST
