An alarming outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has struck the Kamba Circle in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, leading to the death of at least 18 Mithuns (Bos frontalis). In response, the district administration has imposed a ban on the transportation and sale of meat from all hooved animals, including Mithuns, pigs, cattle, and sheep, to prevent further spread of the disease.
What Is Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)?
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, causing fever, blisters, and lameness. Infected animals can transmit the virus through saliva, nasal discharge, and exhaled breath. The disease poses significant economic and cultural threats, particularly in regions where livestock are integral to livelihoods and traditions.
Quarantine Measures in Place
To contain the outbreak, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has established a quarantine gate at Wak village, located on the Aalo-Kamba-Mechuka Road. This strategic location serves as a boundary between Aalo and Kamba Circles, effectively isolating the affected area.
Dr. T. Kamchi, leading the investigation, emphasized the urgency of these measures, stating that FMD can spread rapidly among hooved animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs, and Mithuns—a bovine species of both cultural and economic significance in the state.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Confirmed in Pigs
Besides FMD, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has appeared in pigs in Kamba Circle. Villages affected include Libu Bene and Gemo Tali. No Mithuns have died from JE so far. ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru confirmed the cases. The department actively treats and monitors both diseases.
The confirmation of JE came from the ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru. The department continues to implement treatment and preventive measures to contain both diseases.
Public Health and Economic Implications
The simultaneous outbreaks of FMD and JE pose significant challenges to public health and the economy. Both diseases can lead to high mortality rates in livestock, affecting food security and the livelihoods of farmers. The ban on the transportation and sale of meat from hooved animals is a necessary step to prevent the spread of these diseases to other regions.
The Tani Ao Mithun Farmers’ Welfare Society (TAMFWS) has been actively involved in assisting the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department in containment efforts. The society has appealed to commuters to cooperate with the quarantine measures until the department confirms that there are no more FMD-affected animals.
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Residents and travelers in Arunachal Pradesh are urged to adhere to the quarantine measures and avoid transporting or consuming meat from hooved animals during this critical period. Cooperation from the public is essential to prevent the further spread of FMD and JE.
For more information and updates on the situation, please refer to the official announcements from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department and local authorities.