ITANAGAR, Aug 31: Amid the ongoing outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in four districts of Arunachal Pradesh --Dibang Valley, East Kameng, Pakke Kessang, and Papum Pare, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development has issued a public advisory, urging livestock owners to take immediate preventive and biosecurity measures to contain the spread of the disease.
The advisory particularly focuses on protecting mithun, cattle and other susceptible animals and outlines measures to prevent further transmission of the disease.
The department has advised immediate ring or barrier vaccination of susceptible livestock in affected and high-risk areas. Livestock owners have also been asked to isolate sick or suspected animals from healthy herds and restrict unnecessary movement and mixing of livestock between farms and grazing areas.
Affected animals should be provided with clean drinking water, soft and palatable feed, adequate rest and nutritional support. Oral and foot lesions should be cleaned with veterinary antiseptic preparations only under the guidance of a Veterinary Officer.
The department has urged livestock owners to immediately report any sickness or death of suspected FMD-affected animals to the nearest Veterinary Officer or District Veterinary Officer (DVO).
Emphasising the importance of biosecurity, the advisory states that carcasses must be disposed of through burial or controlled burning at approved sites under veterinary supervision. Such disposal should be carried out away from water bodies, streams, flood-prone areas and human habitations.
Animal sheds, equipment and vehicles should be regularly cleaned and disinfected using approved disinfectants such as bleaching powder or lime, the department said.
The department has cautioned people against dragging, unnecessarily moving or opening carcasses of FMD-affected or suspected animals, as this may spread viral contamination. Carcasses should not be dumped in or near streams, rivers, wells, grazing lands or flood-prone areas.
Livestock owners have also been advised to prevent scavengers from accessing carcass remains and not to share equipment between affected and healthy herds without proper cleaning and disinfection.
The advisory further cautions against the unnecessary use of antibiotics, noting that FMD is a viral disease. Antibiotics should only be administered under veterinary supervision for secondary bacterial infections.
The department said the advisory has been issued in accordance with the official Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) dated August 28, 2026, with the objective of informing the public about FMD and promoting timely reporting, vaccination, isolation and safe disposal practices.
The department urged livestock owners to remain vigilant and cooperate with veterinary authorities in containing the outbreak.
For assistance or to report suspected cases, livestock owners have been asked to contact their nearest Veterinary Officer or DVO. The toll-free helpline 1962 is available during working hours/days.