5h Round of Brucellosis Vaccination launched in U.T. Chandigarh
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. Hari Kallikat, 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.
Sh. Paviter Singh, Director Animal Husbandry & Fisheries U.T. Chandigarh informed that so far 4″ round of vaccination of female calves against brucellosis disease has been completed. In each round 1150 female calves have been vaccinated against the disease. The vaccination has been proved successful. Out of 1150 female calves vaccinated in previous rounds, 571 samples were sent to NIVEDI Bangalore (National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease informatics) as per plan. The results indicated almost 100% success of the Programme. Now, 182 samples out of 1150 animals vaccinated in 2d round has been sent to NIVEDI Bangalore (Bangluru) for Sero monitoring and to know the efficiency of the program. As per plan the 5″ round of vaccination of female calves against brucellosis disease shall commence from 15.03.2024. The vaccination will result in effective management of diseases in animals as well as in humans.
Dr. Kanwarjit Singh, Joint Director Animal Husbandry revealed that Brucellosis is one of the most common contagious and communicable zoonotic diseases 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.
