Palakkad: The outbreak of foot and mouth disease among cattle is causing concern in the state. Directions by the State Animal Welfare Board to close cattle markets and maintain caution on check posts to block transporting of affected cattle from neighbouring states have not been implemented.
As the foot and mouth disease was confirmed among cattle in Tamil Nadu, the cattle markets in the state were shut down. Though there has been a decline in the import of cattle from Tamil Nadu, cattle markets in Kerala operated as usual this week.
A preventive injection is being taken to all cattle in 15 panchayats of Palakkad district which has a large cattle population in the state. Due to the disease, milk production declined and would affect the reproductive capacity of cattle.
Farmers complained that three cows had died in Ayiloor panchayat the other day. However, Animal Welfare Board reports no deaths due to foot and mouth disease.
Symptoms
Severe fever in cows and buffalos and the flow of water like surf from mouth or thread-like liquid from nose and mouth are the primary symptoms of foot and mouth disease. The cattle hesitate to eat fodder, losing skin in mouth and tongue. In the initial stage, there will be a decline in milk production. This can affect the lives of calves that are less than five months old. A virus that moves through wind spreads the disease.
The Animal Welfare Board officials said that medicines are given to cattle in the area where the disease was confirmed.
Threat to Christmas market
It is reported that the decline in the production of milk and dairy products has mildly affected the Christmas market. Only days left for Christmas, farmers demand the intervention of government to avoid the crisis in the market.
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