Arunachal Pradesh's AHV&DD Department has confirmed an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals. The major affected districts are Dibang Valley, East Kameng, Pakke-Kessang and Papum Pare.

More than 200 cases have been reported in Dibang Valley, with significant mithun deaths in several villages. Authorities are providing medicines, veterinary support, technical manpower and rapid response teams to the affected areas. Preliminary observations show that the affected mithuns had not been vaccinated during the May-June 2026 vaccination round, while vaccinated animals have so far remained disease-free.

As an immediate measure, livestock owners have been advised to isolate sick animals, report suspected cases immediately and vaccinate eligible animals during the next FMD vaccination round scheduled for December 2026.

With livestock being a huge part of indigenous life as well as a major source of livelihood, such outbreaks put an additional burden on families. The intervention must be scaled up, and communities need to be involved to make vaccination compulsory and contain future outbreaks.