Baramulla, June 16, 2025 – A two-month-long Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination drive under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) was officially launched today in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative, aimed at controlling and eventually eradicating FMD, a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, at the District Veterinary Office Complex. This campaign aligns with the Government of India’s vision to control FMD by 2025 and achieve its eradication by 2030.
The launch event saw the Deputy Commissioner flagging off a fleet of 15 motorcycles equipped with vaccine kits to reach remote areas of the district. Additionally, vaccine kits were distributed to veterinary staff, and an inspection of the District Veterinary Hospital facilities was conducted to ensure operational readiness. The initiative is supported by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and aims to bolster livestock health, enhance productivity, and support rural livelihoods.
Key Objectives of the FMD Vaccination Drive
The NADCP, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2019, is a flagship scheme designed to control FMD and Brucellosis through comprehensive vaccination. In Baramulla, the campaign focuses on vaccinating 100% of the susceptible livestock population, including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs. The program incorporates:
- Mass vaccination of cloven-hoofed animals every six months.
- Primary vaccination of bovine calves aged 4-5 months.
- Ear-tagging and registration of animals in the Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH) for accurate record-keeping.
- Serosurveillance and seromonitoring to assess the effectiveness of the vaccination drive.
The initiative also emphasises public awareness campaigns at the village, block, and district levels to educate farmers about the importance of vaccination and disease control.
Importance of FMD Control
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a viral disease caused by the FMD virus (FMDV), belonging to the Aphthovirus genus of the Picornaviridae family. It affects cloven-hoofed animals, leading to symptoms such as:
- High fever (104-106°C)
- Excessive salivation
- Vesicles and ulcers in the mouth and hooves
- Reduced milk yield and growth rate
- Infertility and decreased working capacity in bullocks
FMD imposes significant economic losses due to reduced livestock productivity and trade embargoes in international markets. The NADCP’s goal is to mitigate these impacts by achieving 100% vaccination coverage and establishing disease-free zones (DFZs) in India.
Baramulla’s Vaccination Strategy
To ensure comprehensive coverage, the Baramulla campaign employs innovative strategies:
- Mobile Vaccination Units: A fleet of 15 motorcycles equipped with vaccine kits will target remote and hard-to-reach areas.
- Trivalent Vaccine: The campaign uses a trivalent (O, A, Asia-1) BEI-inactivated vaccine with a minimum potency of 3PD50 per dose.
- Deworming: Livestock will be dewormed 3-4 weeks prior to vaccination to enhance immune response.
- Animal Identification: Ear-tagging and data entry in the INAPH system ensure accurate tracking of vaccinated animals.
The campaign is supported by the ICAR-National Institute of Foot and Mouth Disease (NIFMD), which provides diagnostic kits and conducts seromonitoring using Solid Phase Competitive ELISA (SPCE) to measure anti-FMDV antibody levels. A two-stage sampling strategy, developed in collaboration with ICAR-NIVEDI, focuses on younger animals (6-18 months) to avoid false positives in serological surveys.
Impact and Future Goals
Previous rounds of the NADCP vaccination drive have shown promising results, with states like Nagaland reporting over 95% livestock coverage and a significant reduction in FMD cases. The Baramulla initiative aims to replicate this success by ensuring comprehensive vaccination and robust monitoring. The campaign’s ultimate goal is to contribute to the national target of controlling FMD by 2025 and achieving eradication by 2030, thereby boosting milk and meat production, enhancing food security, and strengthening rural economies.
Key Details of the Baramulla FMD Vaccination Drive
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) |
| Launch Date | June 16, 2025 |
| Duration | Two months (June 16 – August 16, 2025) |
| Inaugurated By | Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa |
| Target Animals | Cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs |
| Vaccine Type | Trivalent (O, A, Asia-1) BEI-inactivated, minimum 3PD50 per dose |
| Coverage Goal | 100% of susceptible livestock population |
| Strategies | Mobile vaccination units, ear-tagging, INAPH registration, deworming |
| Supporting Agencies | Department of Animal Husbandry, ICAR-NIFMD, ICAR-NIVEDI |
| Funding | 100% Central Government funding (Rs. 13,343 crore for 2019-24 nationwide) |
| Long-Term Goals | Control FMD by 2025, eradicate by 2030 |
Community Engagement and Support
The Deputy Commissioner urged farmers and local authorities to cooperate with veterinary staff to ensure the success of the vaccination drive. Farmers can register their animals for vaccination through the Bharat Pashudhan or National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) portal, or contact district officials via a toll-free number. Data from the campaign will be accessible through the e-Gopala App, promoting transparency and ease of access.
The Baramulla FMD vaccination drive marks a significant step toward achieving a disease-free livestock population, contributing to the broader vision of enhancing agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in Jammu and Kashmir.
