In case of disease outbreaks, a team of scientists/experts from different disciplines visit the place, collect the samples. Samples are processed in different laboratories of university. Based on results of analysis, recommendations for prevention and control of disease outbreak are given to livestock owners.

Yes, weather significantly affect the occurrence of various diseases. Some disease outbreaks commonly occur during a particular weather. Following are common disease outbreak occurring during summer season

• HS
• Haemoparasitic diseases
• Amphistomosis
• Fasciolosis
• Parasitic gastroenteritis due to GIT nematodes

Problem of tick infestation is less during winter season. However they are in abundance number during summer and post rainy season as the environmental conditions are favourable for their survival. Ticks are responsible for direct harm to animals in the form of anaemia due to blood sucking activities. Ticks are also responsible for transmission of various haemoprotozoan diseases in livestock/dairy animals. Common diseases transmitted by ticks include theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Main symptoms of tick transmitted diseases include high fever, decreased production and anaemia.

• Acaricide application as per recommendation of Veterinarian.
• Always use medicine in prescribed limit.
• Never use same acaricide for longer duration. Rotational use of acaricides is recommended to prevent the problem of acaricide resistance.
• Besides application on animals, acaricides should also be applied on cracks and crevices and other hiding places of ticks.

• All diseased animals should be segregated from healthy animals so as to prevent the spread of the disease.
• Withdrawal of toxic feeds, fodder and water
• Restrict movement of animals
• Vaccination.
• Chemotherapy
• General improvement in hygiene
• Although hygienic conditions are needed in normal conditions also to prevent the infectious diseases
• Veterinarians should report the disease immediately to higher authorities.

• All animals above primary age of vaccination should be vaccinated.
• Vaccination should be done only in healthy animals and not sick ones.
• Vaccinate the animals during cool hours either in morning or in evening hours.
• Avoid vaccination during dusty conditions as dust and dirt will increase the chances of bacteria introduced into the animal via the needle and may increase the chances of lumps and abscesses.
• Always purchase the vaccine of reputed company.
• Maintain the cold chain from time of purchase till vaccination.
• Store the vaccine according to the directions. Freezing can inactivate some vaccines, while too high temperature also inactivates them.
• Check dose and expiry date of the vaccine.
• Shake well the bottle of vaccine before use.
• Use separate needle and syringe for each animal while vaccinating the animals.
• Properly dispose needles and discard unused vaccine after vaccinating the animals.
• Use vaccine immediately once it is opened. Generally vaccines should not be used after 24 hours of opening the pack (but check the label of each individual vaccine).
• The first injection of any vaccine can be given at any age over and above the manufacturers’ guidelines but booster and repetition doses to be given exactly at the recommended time interval.
• In general, there should be a gap of 14-21 days between two vaccines used.
• Maintain proper record of vaccine administered to animals and write down due date for boosters or next vaccination

FMD is highly contagious disease characterized by fever, lameness, and vesicular lesions on the tongue, feet, snout, and teats. Although FMD does not result in high mortality in adult animals, the disease has debilitating effects, including weight loss, decrease in milk production, and loss of draught power, resulting in a loss in productivity for a considerable time.

The symptomatic treatment include antibiotics to check secondary bacterial infection, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs. In addition, antiseptic mouth and teat wash can be given with potassium permanganate solution (1: 1000) or 2-5% povidine iodine solution. Besides, boroglycerine paste can be applied on mouth ulcers. The feet should be dipped in phenyl or 2% copper sulphate. In addition, provide easily chewable diet to the animals like dalia and lush green fodder.

During an outbreak, steps to control FMD may include vaccination, surveillance, quarantine measures, establishment of control zones, strict biosecurity, reporting of confirmed cases, and hygienic measures. In event of an outbreak, modified vaccination programs include ‘Ring vaccination’ to contain the outbreaks and ‘Frontier vaccination’ to produce a buffer area between the infected and free countries.

Primary age: 4-8 months, only once in female animals.

Precautions: Wear gloves, goggles and cover the face with mask.