Seventy-five veterinary teams have been formed in the district to administer vaccine on animals to protect them from foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease, according to Collector C. Muthukumaran.

He said on Thursday that the vaccination drive would commence on July 1 and culminate on July 31. The vaccination drive would cover cows and buffaloes and would be conducted in villages through camps. The team members would visit their respective areas and vaccinate the animals.

The spread of the viral disease had caused concern among farmers a few years ago in the State as it affected lactation in the milch animals. Symptoms of the disease include high temperature, drooling (of saliva from mouth), ulcers in gums, and ulcers between hoofs in the feet. Affected cattle will exhibit difficulty in walking and eating.

While advising farmers to get their cattle vaccinated without fail to protect them from the viral disease, Mr. Muthukumaran said the cows and buffaloes aged above six months could be vaccinated during the drive. It was part of the ninth drive to protect the animals from the disease. One more opportunity would be given to farmers, who fail to get their cattle vaccinated during the month-long drive in July, in the form of special camp to be held between August 1 and 8.