ITANAGAR, Dec 7: The department of animal husbandry, veterinary & dairy development (AHV&DD) on Friday informed that 26 mithuns have died of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Papum Pare district since June.
Stating that this FMD outbreak in Papum Pare is unprecedented, AHV&DD Director Dr ND Minto in a release said 2957 animals have been either treated or vaccinated in the district so far.
Three mithuns have died in Balijan, five in Tarasso, 12 in Sangdupota and six in Toru circles, the release said.
No FMD death has so far been reported from Sagalee, Kakoi, Doimukh and Itanagar.
“The department is making all-out efforts to contain the disease outbreak. Veterinary camps were organized wherever there was report of FMD,” Dr Minto said.
The director said veterinary officers and field personnel equipped with medicines were mobilized since FMD was first reported on 25 June from Tapioso area of Sangdupota circle.
“The FMD is basically a viral disease and its symptoms can be seen as lesions in foot and mouth areas in cloven-footed animals. The disease can easily be treated at an early stage. Most deaths occur due to late reporting,” Dr Minto said.
The department sought cooperation from the public at the time of biannual vaccination, which is carried out twice every year (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon), and urged them to report to the nearest veterinary dispensary or veterinary aid centre if any animal gets sick or is found infected with FMD virus, in order to contain the disease before it spreads to other animals.
