Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Sunday called for intensifying vaccination efforts to curb Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), aiming to safeguard the country’s livestock and protect farmers from severe financial losses.

“These diseases pose serious threats to our livestock sector and can result in enormous economic setbacks for farmers,” Farida said while speaking at a views-exchange meeting with officials of the Sirajganj district livestock department at the Bhagabarighat milk factory conference room.

She emphasized that the government is committed to combating these diseases through well-planned vaccination campaigns. “Proper planning and an effective vaccination drive are essential to controlling these diseases,” she said.

Addressing concerns over the impact of LSD on the hide quality of sacrificial animals, the adviser noted that there is no conclusive evidence to claim that hides have been damaged by the disease.

Farida instructed officials to ramp up field-level vaccination initiatives, particularly in the livestock-rich Pabna-Sirajganj region, warning that no negligence would be tolerated. “Livestock officials and employees must extend their fullest cooperation to ensure the success of this programme,” she added.

Director General of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Dr M Abu Sufian, speaking at the event, highlighted the abundance of livestock resources in Pabna and Sirajganj and urged local officials to work with utmost dedication to declare these districts free of FMD and LSD.

He also directed the concerned authorities to adopt effective measures to eliminate these diseases.

The event was attended by Joint Secretary of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry M Hemayet Hossen, DLS Director (Extension) Begum Shamsunnahar Ahmad, Director (Production) Dr ABM Khaleduzzaman, LDDP Project Director Dr M Jashim Uddin, Chief Technical Coordinator M Golam Rabbani, District Livestock Officer Dr AKM Anwarul Huq, alongside other livestock officials, veterinary doctors and project representatives.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to enhance vaccination outreach and protect the nation’s vital livestock sector.

Source - https://www.observerbd.com