Why in the news

• The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has affected around many milch cattle in Uttar Pradesh.

What is Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)?

• FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact.
• The disease affects all cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.
• Intensively reared animals are more susceptible to the disease than traditional breeds.
• It does not affect horses, dogs, or cats.

How does it spread?

• It is a Transboundary Animal Disease (TAD) that deeply affects the production of livestock and disrupts regional and international trade in animals and animal products.
• It is caused by is an ‘aphthovirus’ of the family Picornaviridae.
• There are 7 strains (A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia1) which are endemic in different countries worldwide.
• Immunity to one type does not protect an animal against other types or subtypes.

Implications of FMD

• FMD is characterized by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves.
• The disease is rarely fatal in adult animals, but there is often high mortality in young animals.
• The disease causes severe production losses, and while the majority of affected animals recover, the disease often leaves them weakened and debilitated.

Policy moves to prevent FMD

• FMD Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (2016-17): Launched under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) during, it is a program to cover all the states which were not covered under the six-monthly vaccination scheme.
• National Animal Disease Control Programme (2019): It aims to control of Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population for FMD and 100% bovine female calves of 4-8 months of age for brucellosis.

PYQ:

Q. Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non- farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India. (2015)

Practice MCQ:

With reference to the National Animal Disease Control Programme, consider the following statements:

1. It aims to control of Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population.
2. For brucellosis it would vaccinate 100% bovine calves of all age.

Which of the given statements is/are correct?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

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