2nd Round of Brucellosis Vaccination Completed in U.T. Chandigarh

Chandigarh, (Aditi) . The National Animal Disease control Program, a Government of India initiative for eradication of Foot and Mouth and Brucellosis in livestock is successfully being taken up by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, U.T. Chandigarh since its inception in 2020. Sh. S. S. Gill, IAS, Secretary Animal Husbandry & Fisheries U.T. Chandigarh expressed that the overall aim of the programme is to control FMD and Brucellosis by regular vaccinations and its eventual eradication by 2030 as per Govt. of India guidelines. So far in Chandigarh the department vaccinated over 21000 livestock free of cost which includes Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goats and Pigs against FMD and all bovines female calves against the brucellosis disease. The effective implementation of this programme will result in ‘Doubling the Farmers Income’ by 2025 by improving the health status and productivity of Livestock Population.

Ms. Palika Arora, Director Animal Husbandry & Fisheries U.T. Chandigarh informed that so far 1st and 2nd round of vaccination of female calves against brucellosis disease has been completed till March 2022. In each round 1150 female calves have been vaccinated aginst the disease. The vaccination has been proved successful. Out of 1150 female calves vaccinated in 1st round, 196 samples as per NIVEDI (National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease informatics) plan were sent to Banglore. The results indicated almost 100% success of the Programme. Now, 182 samples out of 1150 animals vaccinated in 2nd round has been sent to NIVEDI Banglore (Bangluru) for Sero monitoring and to know the efficiency of the program. As per plan the 3rd round of vaccination of female calves against brucellosis disease shall commence from 01.08.2021.

Dr. Kanwarjit Singh, Joint Director Animal Husbandry revealed that Brucellosis is one of the most common contagious and communicable zoonotic disease with high rates of morbidity and lifetime sterility. There has been remarkable increase in cases of livestock farmers, over the recent years in infection rates due to poor management and limited resources, especially in developing countries. Abortion in the last trimester is most prevalent sign in cattle and buffaloes followed by reduced milk yield and high rise in temperature. While in human it is characterized by undulant fever, general weakness and arthritis. He said that Department of Animal Husbandry is first to complete two rounds of FMD and Brucellosis vaccination in its 100% Livestock population of Chandigarh (UT).