Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Itanagar: Joint task forces from the central government and Arunachal Pradesh are scrambling to halt a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Dibang Valley. Officials confirmed the intense containment effort on Sunday, August 16. The operation includes the State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, local district administration, and specialized Rapid Response Teams.
Dr. D Riba, the District Veterinary Officer, confirmed that an initial team reached Anini with medical supplies on August 8. Three dedicated teams now fan out across the affected region. A central delegation led by Joint Commissioner Dr. VK Teotia arrived on August 13 to oversee field assessments. They spent August 14 and 15 inspecting Acheso, Angrim Valley, Aropo, Chegu Camp, Mipi Circle, Maro, 9 Kilo, and Matu Camp.
Veterinary experts treated sick livestock, distributed drugs, and gathered diagnostic samples from goats, pigs, and Mithuns. They even performed post-mortem exams on deceased animals. At an Indo-Tibetan Border Police camp in Acheso, the team took blood samples from goats. They lectured military personnel on disease tracking, biosecurity, and public health. Anini MLA Mopi Mihu backed the operation with supplies and logistical support, promising to "protect the livelihoods of farmers and Mithun owners."
The visiting experts finished their work and left Anini on Sunday. They took the collected specimens to an advanced lab for testing. Local authorities promise that response teams will stay put until the outbreak dies out. The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department maintains that twice-yearly vaccination is the only way to stop the virus. They want owners to report infections immediately and follow strict waste disposal rules.
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