ITANAGAR, Sep 23: Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development Minister Gabriel D Wangsu has directed the department to intensify containment measures following an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) among Mithuns in Dibang Valley district.
Wangsu convened an emergency meeting to review the FMD situation and assess the department’s preparedness to contain the outbreak. He directed the Secretary, AHV&DD, to monitor the situation on a daily basis and ensure prompt action at the field level.
According to the departmental status report as of September 21, FMD has affected 21 villages in the district, with 1,402 Mithuns reported affected. Of these, 1,225 have been treated, while 267 deaths have been reported.
According to District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Officer Dr Dammo Riba, the disease was first reported during the last week of July. Following reports of mortality, veterinary teams were deployed with medicines and sample-collection kits, while a subject-expert team from the Government of India visited the affected areas. Laboratory examination by the National Institute of Foot and Mouth Disease (NIFMD), Odisha, subsequently confirmed FMD serotype ‘O’.
Taking serious note of the situation, Wangsu directed the immediate deployment of two additional expert Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to the affected areas, in addition to the existing team. The teams will be equipped with medicines, logistics, disinfectants, diagnostic support and mobility arrangements and will assist in disease investigation, treatment, sample collection, surveillance and containment.
The Minister also directed the department to intensify awareness campaigns, village-level disease monitoring and interaction with livestock owners. Farmers were to be sensitised on early reporting of suspected cases, movement restrictions, biosecurity and other preventive measures.
He further directed that ring vaccination be taken out in identified areas to create a protective buffer around affected locations and prevent further spread of the disease.
At present, a four-member RRT, along with local veterinary personnel, is engaged in treatment, surveillance and awareness activities across the affected areas.
Wangsu stressed the need for close coordination among the department, district administration, field veterinarians, PRI members and livestock owners, with regular field surveillance and timely reporting.
Looking beyond the current outbreak, the Minister directed the department to make advance preparations for the 8th round of FMD vaccination, scheduled across the state during December 2026-January 2027. He stressed the need to achieve 100 per cent vaccination coverage of eligible livestock, with particular attention to remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
He said a coordinated and timely response backed by strong field surveillance, vaccination and community participation would be essential to contain the outbreak and protect the state’s livestock resources and the livelihoods of farmers and livestock owners.