It is learnt that panic has spread among milk farmers across the state with suspected out-break of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle in Sanguem area.
Farmers are reportedly urging the state government to look into the matter and vaccinate the cattle on a priority basis. The FMD is leading to death of cattle and a rapid vaccination drive is necessary to curb the spread of the disease.
Fatality is due to compromised immunity and the animals become susceptible to hemorrhagic septicemia and other diseases. It may be recalled that recently there was an outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease in Maharashtra with Pune and Ahmednagar districts being the epicenter of the disease.
The authorities in Maharashtra have said that the outbreak is much more severe this year than last year mainly due to the delay of the second round of vaccination this year.
FMD is a fatal viral disease affecting cattle and the central government coordinates special vaccination drives against the disease twice a year. It is understood that the central government provides the vaccine while the state government carries out the drives.
The state government needs to take the fear of the milk farmers in Goa seriously. Necessary steps need to be taken to prevent the spread of the disease with proper vaccination drives after samples are collected to carry out necessary tests.
