Bengaluru, DHNS: Move to help keep tabs on animals, ensure vaccination coverage. After the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD), the state and Union governments with veterinarians from the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAH&VB) are working towards introducing a barcode system for vaccinated cattle.

In the last five months, 920 cattle suffering from FMD were treated. According to officials, the barcoding system will help keep tabs on vaccinated cattle and ensure 100% coverage.

This is the worst outbreak since 2013 when 65,000 animals were affected, of which 15,000 died, say veterinarians.

IAH&VB director S M Byregowda said barcodes are placed on the cattle’s ear.

“FMD vaccination is done once in six months. The disease has been controlled in the last three years. However, a few cases are being reported as some farmers refuse to vaccinate their cattle fearing drop in milk production. Another reason could also be that farmers are buying animals from neighbouring states without checking the vaccination details,” he said.

Another veterinarian pointed out that because of drought, interstate trade of cattle has increased. Farmers are retaining their hybrid cattle, but are trading local breeds for money. Local breeds too carry the virus, but they have stronger immunity. However, when they come in contact with hybrid cattle, the virus spreads faster.

Dr Srinivas Reddy, joint director, Epidemiology, Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services said that most FMD cases are reported in hybrid cattle. Though milk production is high in hybrid cattle, their resistance to diseases compared to local breeds is low.

According to the 2012 census, Karnataka has 132 lakh cattle heads, of which 70% are hybrid. The population of hybrid cattle is the highest in southern Karnataka and around Bengaluru, where milk production is also the highest.

No effect on production
Suresh Babu, director, Animal Husbandry, Karnataka Milk Federation, said there has been no drop in milk production because of the FMD outbreak.

“There has been a marginal decline in some places of Hassan, Kolar, Ramanagaram, Chamarajanagar and Bengaluru rural. Two FMD cases were reported from Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, besides Kolar and Chikkaballapur,” he said.

Babu pointed out that milk production is the highest in Bengaluru with around 14 lakh litres a day. “No dairy farms have been closed. Only the infected cattle have been isolated and are being treated,” he added.

Vaccination
From April 7, the 12th round of FMD cattle vaccination will start. Around 8,000 veterinarians and doctors will be involved. Blood samples will be collected before and after the vaccination, to ensure vial quality and coverage.