UNIFIL’s Indian Battalion vaccinates 10,000 animals

UNIFIL Indian Battalion veterinary team show a local farmer the early warning signs of detecting Foot-and-Mouth Disease.

UNIFIL’s Indian Battalion’s successful vaccination campaign treated 10 000 cloven hooved animals over four weeks.

UNIFIL’s Indian Battalion used the vaccination campaign to also highlight Blue Line integrity.

A veterinary specialist from UNIFIL’s Indian battalion takes part in the successful vaccination campaign.

Two veterinary team members of UNIFIL’s Indian Battalion assist a farmer by vaccinating his goat against the highly contagious Foot-and- Mouth Disease.

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5 Aug 2016

UNIFIL’s Indian Battalion vaccinates 10,000 animals

In July 2016 UNIFIL’s Indian Battalion ran a hugely successful vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The four week campaign was carried out with the close cooperation of Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture.

FMD is a highly infectious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. The first symptoms include small blisters developing on the lips and tongue, feet and udders. This eventually leads to loss of appetite and weight loss, and may be even fatal to the animal.

The virus is very contagious - it can be spread by contaminated farming equipment, vehicles, clothing and animals. Because of this, the veterinary team of UNIFIL’s Indian Battalion trained the farmers on early detection signs, as well as preventative measures to stop the spreading of this treatable disease.

The UNIFIL peacekeepers also used the opportunity to reiterate to the farmers the importance of maintaining the Blue Line’s integrity.

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Article: Lt Col Gautam Sharma and Maj Ankit Aggarwal
Photo: Sepoy Dinesh
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