Lucknow, May 24 -- Chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to discuss effective prevention and control of mastitis disease in dairy animals, and directed officials to launch an intensive statewide campaign. Emphasising the need for awareness among dairy farmers, the CS called for a comprehensive publicity plan to disseminate the standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to mastitis prevention. He also instructed the animal husbandry department to frame a policy to ensure quality and standardisation of animal feed. Singh stressed that dairy farmers must be made aware of the symptoms of mastitis and advised to contact veterinary doctors immediately upon noticing any signs. He said infected animals should be isolated to prevent the spread of the disease. He further directed four universities in the state to initiate special programs focusing on mastitis, infertility, breed improvement, and the control of infectious diseases and parasites, in coordination with the animal husbandry department. Earlier in the meeting, principal secretary (animal husbandry) K Ravindra Naik informed that nearly 10% of the veterinary cases handled through mobile veterinary units and hospitals pertain to mastitis. He said both clinical and subclinical mastitis were regularly tested and treated using CMT kits and other essential medicines....