Gandhinagar: Over the last two decades, due to good animal health services, intensive animal vaccination, deworming treatment campaigns, and disease control, infectious diseases in cattle have significantly reduced in the state of Gujarat. In 2002-03, 161 types of animal diseases were reported in Gujarat, compared to only 29 types in 2023-24, and only 4 types in the first quarter of 2024-25.

Providing this information, Animal Husbandry Minister Raghavji Patel added, “The ‘National Animal Disease Control Program’ is being implemented in the state. Under the program, a total of 154 lakh cattle have been vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease (Kharwa-Mowasa) so far under the fourth round in Gujarat. Apart from Kharwa-Mowasa, two rounds of vaccination against brucellosis (contagious abortion) have also been completed in the state.”

The Government of India provided 7.56 lakh vaccine doses for the third round of brucellosis vaccination, from which 5.53 lakh cattle have been vaccinated to date in the state. Additionally, a total of 44 lakh sheep and goats have been vaccinated against PPR in the last 6 months under the vaccination program.

In Gujarat, 62 lakh cattle have been vaccinated against lumpy skin disease under the scheme to assist states in controlling animal diseases. At the same time, the state government has planned to vaccinate cattle against deadly infectious diseases like Galsundo. As part of the state-wide campaign, 88.75 lakh large cattle have been covered so far in the year 2024-25 under the livestock deworming treatment.

Furthermore, Gujarat is leading in the process of giving a distinctive identity to livestock through ear tagging. So far, 246 lakh large cattle and 11 lakh sheep and goats have been identified through ear tagging, totaling 257 lakh animals. Additionally, during the last 6 months, more than 3 lakh cattle and herds of sheep and goats have been registered on the Bharat Pasudhan portal. DeshGujarat