The journey to vaccinate cattle against foot-and-mouth disease begins in Vellore, Ranipet

Vellore PS Collector Leela Alex launches vaccination drive at Somanathapuram village near Katpadi in Vellore on Wednesday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A vaccination drive against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) for cattle in Vellore and Ranipet districts was launched on Wednesday.

Officials of the Animal Husbandry Department, which is conducting the drive, said the vaccine is given to cattle twice a year for free. Cattle, including dairy cows, buffaloes, bulls, goats, sheep and pigs, will be vaccinated.

“Generally, vaccination against this disease is done in September and February every year, depending on its availability. The vaccination will be done by July 31. About 1.67 lakh cattle will benefit in Vellore district,” Dr. told The Hindu. G. Anbuvan, Deputy Director (AD), Department of Animal Husbandry (Vellore).

Administered under the Centrally Sponsored National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP), the vaccine helps to boost the immunity of animals thereby preventing loss of income to dairy farmers. The drive was launched by PS Collectors Leela Alex and N. Priya in Vellore and Ranipet districts. Around 1.90 cattle will be vaccinated in Ranipet by July 31.

Among the districts, Tiruvannamalai has the highest number of 7.86 lakh cattle to be included in the scheme this season, followed by Vellore (1.67 lakh cattle), Ranipet (1.90 lakh cattle) and Tirupattur (1.20 lakh cattle).

Veterinarians said high fever, mouth and foot ulcers, weight loss and swelling in the mouth are some of the symptoms of the airborne disease. The infection spreads in these districts every year during the cold weather and monsoon, especially between November and December.

Published – 02 Jul 2026 0:28 IST