Round-the-clock treatment offered by six veterinarians

Prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) among cattle in Perambalur and Ariyalur districts has not hit milk procurement by cooperative societies, thanks to the precautionary steps taken by Aavin with the active support of district administration and Animal Husbandry Department.

Almost normal milk procurement is being maintained in both the districts, said Aavin sources on Wednesday. Ever since the outbreak of FMD was reported in the central districts, Perambalur and Ariyalur district units of the Tiruchi District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union took several precautionary steps. The veterinary doctors of Aavin and those of the department were pressed into service for vaccinating the animals and creating awareness among farmers. About 90 per cent of the animals belonging to 60,000 members affiliated to 173 milk producers’ cooperativesocieties in Perambalur district had been covered and this helped in maintaining normal milk procurement of 1.60 lakh litres a day. The reduction in milk supply was negligible, the sources said.

Six veterinary doctors attached to Aavin had been treating the cattle round-the-clock in both the districts, along with the veterinary experts of animal husbandry department. Thanks to the action of District Collector Darez Ahamed, both Aavin and the department had been provided with adequate stock of vaccines and medicines.

The presidents and secretaries of the societies had been directed to have a close watch on the situation.