Punjab adopts zero-tolerance policy for concealment of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks

Punjab Livestock Secretary Ahmad Aziz Tarar has announced a zero-tolerance policy for concealing disease outbreaks or failing to report

LAHORE (October 17, 2026):  Punjab Livestock Secretary Ahmad Aziz Tarar has announced a zero-tolerance policy for concealing disease outbreaks or failing to report them promptly, warning that strict action will be taken against officials and staff found violating reporting requirements.

He issued the warning while chairing a high-level emergency departmental meeting convened to review the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) across Punjab, the availability of vaccines and measures being taken to control the disease.

According to a departmental handout issued by the Livestock and Dairy Development Department Punjab, the online meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Technical Dr Usman Tahir, Director General Research Dr Sajjad Hussain, Director General Extension Dr Syed Nadeem Badr, and additional and divisional directors from across the province.

During the meeting, officials reviewed the availability of FMD vaccines in all districts and assessed the implementation of disease-control measures. The secretary directed the relevant authorities to ensure strict compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), timely reporting through the ADRS Info application and ring vaccination around affected areas.

Tarar emphasised that the timely identification and reporting of infected animals and affected locations were essential to preventing further transmission. He warned that any attempt to suppress information about an outbreak or delay its reporting would not be tolerated.

The secretary said departmental officials must fulfil their responsibilities and ensure that information about suspected or confirmed outbreaks reaches the relevant authorities without delay. He also made it clear that staff found responsible for negligence or violations would face strict departmental action.

During the briefing, Director General Research Dr Sajjad Hussain informed the meeting that sufficient stocks of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine were available in the cold-chain system of the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI).

The update was intended to address concerns about vaccine availability and ensure that supplies could be distributed to areas requiring urgent intervention.

Issuing further instructions, Tarar directed Director General Extension Dr Syed Nadeem Badr to ensure an adequate supply of FMD vaccines to every district and tehsil within the next 24 hours.

He stressed that the availability of vaccines at the local level was crucial for protecting livestock and strengthening the department’s response to the disease. The relevant officials were instructed to coordinate distribution arrangements and ensure that vaccination activities were carried out in accordance with established procedures.

The meeting also underscored the importance of ring vaccination in areas surrounding reported outbreaks. This approach aims to establish a protective vaccination zone around affected locations and reduce the risk of further spread.

The Livestock and Dairy Development Department is responsible for implementing measures to safeguard animal health and support livestock farmers across Punjab. Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats. It can cause fever, blisters and lesions in the mouth and feet, reducing productivity and causing economic losses for farmers.

The department’s latest directives focus on improving surveillance, ensuring timely reporting and strengthening vaccination coverage across the province.

Officials have been instructed to prioritise vaccine availability, follow prescribed procedures and respond promptly to suspected outbreaks as part of the provincial disease-control effort.