Itanagar, Aug 16: Joint teams from the Centre and Arunachal Pradesh have intensified containment measures after an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) was detected in parts of Dibang Valley, officials said on Sunday.
Rapid Response and field mobilisation
According to an official report, the containment operations bring together the State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department, local Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), the district administration and a visiting central team. Activities on the ground include targeted treatment of infected animals, strengthened surveillance, diagnostic sample collection and community engagement.
District Veterinary Officer Dr D Riba said an RRT from Itanagar reached Anini on August 8 with essential medicines, after which three dedicated RRTs were constituted and deployed across affected areas. A District Informatics Officer from Tezu reached Anini on August 11 to co-ordinate field visits, epidemiological surveys and sampling efforts, the report said.
Central team assessment and locations covered
A high-level central team led by Joint Commissioner Dr V K Teotia arrived in the district on August 13 and carried out extensive assessments on August 14 and 15. The team covered multiple locations, interacting with livestock owners and local leaders to map the spread and advise on containment.
The visits included: Acheso, Angrim Valley, Aropo up to Chegu Camp, Mipi Circle, Maro, 9 Kilo and Matu Camp. The central team also inspected veterinary facilities including the District Veterinary Office, the Veterinary Dispensary and the Cattle Breeding Farm in Anini, the report added.
Treatment, diagnostics and biosecurity
During field operations, officials treated infected animals and distributed medicines. Diagnostic samples were collected from mithuns (a local bovine of high economic and cultural value), pigs and goats, and post-mortem examinations were conducted where required. The team also visited an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp at Acheso to collect blood samples from goats and to brief security personnel on disease epidemiology and biosecurity measures.
The central team's interaction with community leaders included discussions on implementing farm- and village-level biosecurity protocols and precautions to limit further transmission.
Local support and administration
Local representatives extended support to the containment efforts. Anini MLA Mopi Mihu provided medicines and logistical assistance and reiterated the administration's readiness to protect the livelihoods of farmers and mithun owners. Dibang Valley Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sadhu Mihu and Angrim Valley Zilla Parishad member Eta Mihu accompanied the visiting experts during field visits.
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The report did not include any immediate figures on the number of animals affected or mortalities. Officials said the field teams were prioritising diagnosis, isolation of affected herds and awareness among pastoral communities to curb further spread.
- Key agencies involved: State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department, district administration, RRTs, and a central team led by Joint Commissioner Dr V K Teotia.
- Primary actions: Treatment of infected animals, medicine distribution, sample collection, post-mortem examinations and biosecurity briefings.
- Local engagement: Interactions with mithun owners, Gaon Buras and Panchayati Raj Institution leaders; logistical support from Anini MLA.
| Date | Action / Movement |
|---|---|
| Aug 8 | RRT from Itanagar reached Anini with medicines |
| Aug 11 | District Informatics Officer from Tezu arrived for field co-ordination |
| Aug 13 | Central team led by Dr V K Teotia arrived in district |
| Aug 14-15 | Extensive field assessments across Acheso, Angrim Valley, Aropo, Mipi Circle and other locations |
Implications for livelihoods and next steps
FMD is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals and can lead to significant economic losses for pastoral and farming communities. In the Dibang Valley, where mithun ownership is linked to livelihoods and social status, containment is critical to prevent prolonged disruption.
Officials said the immediate priorities are to complete laboratory confirmation of collected samples, extend vaccination and treatment where appropriate, and maintain strict movement controls for livestock until the situation is contained. Continued coordination between central teams, state veterinary services, district authorities and local leaders will determine the speed of containment.
Further updates on confirmed case counts, mortality figures and vaccination schedules were awaited from the veterinary department, the report said.
