Cattle epidemic breaks out at Ukhrul
Source: The Sangai Express
Ukhrul, January 23 2016 :
More than 30 cattle have died at Luireishimphong village of Ukhrul district due to foot and mouth disease and it is spreading across the neighbouring villages.
Luireishimphong village is 60 kms from the district headquarters to the northern side of Ukhrul.
The villagers sighted the dying cattle in the first week of January at the grazing field.
Even though they resorted to traditional method of healing the cattle it could not save the cattle.
According to villager Stephen, 10 calves died due to foot and mouth infection at his grazing ground.
Since the cattle could not swallow any food or drink, they died of starvation, he added.
According to the villager young calf between the age of 2 and 3 are more prone to the disease.
Nnother villager Shangkan said that water buffaloes too have fallend prey to the disease.
Ninglum, the village secretary of Luireishimphong said that due to uncontrolled spread of the disease, reports have come in that more than 30 cattle have died.
He further said that many families, fearing the worst, have started slaughtering their cattle for the table.
Domesticated pigs were also found dead in their village due to suspected cold diarrhoea.
None of the villagers have informed the veterinary office or authority concerned for necessary treatment and intervention.
The villagers said that due to rapid spread of the disease more cattle have been infected and the infection has already engulfed nearby villages like Phungcham, Kalhang, Kuirei and Marem from where reports of cattle dying at the grazing field have come in.
According to them, maximum cattle casualties were recorded from Luireishimphong village.