A recent wave of Foot‑and‑Mouth Disease (FMD - منہ کھر) has hit the livestock population in Talagang district, and Tamman isn't spared. This highly contagious viral infection is wreaking havoc — reducing milk production, causing painful sores, and even sickening dozens of cattle and buffaloes across districts of Talagang and Chakwal.
What is FMD and How Does It Spread?
FMD is a virulent disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals—cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep. The virus spreads easily through:
- Direct animal contact (saliva, breath, vesicles)
- Contaminated equipment, surfaces, feed
- Movements of infected animals and even through the wind
Infected animals develop:
- High fever
- Painful vesicles in mouth, feet, teats
- Excessive drooling and reluctance to walk
- A sharp drop in milk output—and in calves, the virus can be fatal
Outbreak Timeline
Local veterinarians report the first suspected cases in early June 2025. Within weeks, over 50 cattle in Chakwal and Talagang tehsils showed classic FMD symptoms. These involve drooling, hoof blisters, and weakened condition. Though fatalities are rare among adults, the loss of calves and long-term production decline is alarming. “Only one case has been reported so far from Tamman village of Talagang, where fifteen animals were affected by the disease,” Additional Director Dr Sohail Manzoor told Dawn. Dawn’s investigation, however, revealed that almost every village in the two districts has been affected by the disease.
Why This Matters for Tamman’s Farmers?
- Economic blow: Sick cattle mean less milk, less income, and potentially dead calves
- Spreading fast: Movement between villages risks spreading infection to Tamman
- Community risk: A single infected animal can infect entire herds if left unchecked.
This isn’t just a veterinary issue—it affects livelihoods and food security in Tamman and beyond.
What You Can Do: Prevention & Control
- Immediate Containment
Isolate any affected animal away from healthy ones
Use separate feeding and watering tools
- Disinfection
Clean housing, tools, and vehicles with 4% sodium bicarbonate or iodophors regularly
- Vaccination Drive
Contact the veterinary office for FMD vaccinations. Ideally, vaccinate twice annually with a multivalent vaccine covering O, A, and Asia‑1 strains
- Monitor & Report
Watch livestock daily for signs like blisters or lameness
Immediately report suspicious cases to veterinary authorities
- Safe Practices
Don’t mix animals at grazing or markets
Disinfect footwear and clothing when moving between farms
- Supportive Care
Provide pain relief and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.
Feed soft leafy diets and clean injured mouth or hoof lesions with alum or antiseptics
What Tamman Residents Should Do Now?
- Gather all livestock owners for a quick awareness meet — invite the village vet
- Organize a village-level vaccination drive in conjunction with veterinary teams
- Setup a tracking system: note all treated animals and those needing follow-up
- Encourage temporary grazing separation from nearby villages until the outbreak is quashed
Final Word: Stay Alert, Stay Proactive
Foot-and-Mouth Disease may be expected in rural Pakistan, but swift action can stop it from becoming a full-blown crisis. For Tamman’s farmers, early detection, strict biosecurity, and vaccination are your best defenses. Together, by staying informed, reporting early, and caring for your cattle, you can protect your herds—and your livelihoods — against this viral threat.