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FMD (Foot and mouth disease) Mukta Bharat: Important Topics for UPSC Exams

What is FMD?

FMD or hoof-and-mouth is a viral infectious disease which may become fatal at times, and it affects domestic and wild bovin animals leading to high fever for approximately 2-6 days, followed by blisters inside the mouth and on the feet.

As per estimates of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), direct loss due to milk and meat is to the tune of RS. 20,000crore/annum.
It can be much more if indirect losses due to reduced work capacity; abortions, subsequent infertility and sterility (that account for the reduced milk production subsequently) are taken into account.
FMD is one of the most economically devastating contagious viral animal diseases affecting all susceptible cloven-footed animals.

Its containment demands considerable efforts in vaccination, strict monitoring, trade restrictions, and quarantines, and occasionally killing of animals.

Cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, antelope, deer, and bison, hedgehogs and elephants;
Mice, rats, and chickens are not vulnerable to the disease.
Humans are very rarely infected.

A location specific programme called ‘Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme (FMD-CP)’ is under implementation since 10th Plan Period. Gradually FMD-CP was expanded during 11th & 12th Plan Period.
Ministry of agriculture, Department (of Animal and Husbandry) has conceived ‘FMD Mukt Bharat’ in next few years under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). However, 16 States and one UT are yet to be covered under intensive FMD vaccination.