Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 12 2021: The department of veterinary and animal husbandry services said that haemorrhagic septicaemia could be the reason behind the cattle deaths reported at Phaibung village of Senapati district and New Tusom & Wahong villages in Ukhrul district.
Addressing a press meet at the directorate's office near Sanjenthong, here on Tuesday, director Dr Ch Nandakishwar said that official teams have visited the villages and assessed the situations.
There are evidences of haemorrhagic septicaemia as the likely cause for the cattle death and steps have been taken up to prevent further outbreak of the disease, which is preventable with timely vaccination.
He then appealed to the livestock farmers to get their cattle vaccinated regularly in order to prevent disease outbreak and loss of their source of livelihood.
He said that the incidents of cattle deaths in Senapati and Ukhrul district were reported by Chingai MLA Khasim Vashum and ADC members of Senapati district.
As soon as the information was received, the department despatched its official teams to the locations and took up measures to prevent further spread of the disease.
Unfortunately, the habit of vaccination for cattle is Jow among farmers in hill areas and it often leads to loss of livestock.
The department organises vaccination drives against various cattle diseases in April and May every year, he said while urging the farmers to get their animals vaccinated when the department officials take up the exercise.
On the other hand, he said that the department has been providing insurance benefits for livestock farmers and urged the farmers to subscribe to the insurance policy so that their loss could be covered through the insurance.
The Centre is providing 50 per cent of the premium for the insurance scheme while state government covers 30 per cent and the farmer's share is only 20 per cent.
There is no policy to reimburse loss of cattle due to diseases of calamities if they are not insured, he reminded.
Joint director (administration) Dr Ng Ibotombi said that the department officials have collected clinical samples of the death cattle from both districts.
Preliminary observation of symptoms and nature of death suggests Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, a contagious bacterial disease caused by'two serotypes of Pasteurella Multocida.
Though there had been no major outbreaks of the disease in the state, there are isolated cases in some pockets in the past few years.
Success in preventing the animal disease is outcome of the department's initiative to administer a combined vaccine for Haemorrhagic Septicaemia and Black Quarter diseases developed by Hyderabad based Indian Immunological Laboratory, he said and explained that administering the vaccine shot just before winter or summer can protect the cattle for the whole year.
Lack of vaccine awareness among farmers in hills and low immunity in cattle due to changing weather conditions are some factors that increase the strength of the bacteria which is present in their lungs and lymph nodes.
Timely vaccination is the key to prevent such diseases and related deaths of cattle, he added.