Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, April 30 2009:
The mysterious death of two cows at two different places of Kodompokpi Lamkhai in Imphal West district Thursday morning threw panic in the area with the Veterinary Department of the district suspecting it a case of anthrax.
However, it was later identified to have been a Black Quarter disease caused by Clostridium Chauvei (bacteria).
Following these deaths, the Vety Department has called on the people to co-operate with the Department in cases of vaccination and the likes.
Initially, examining the dead bodies, Dr..MDilipkumar, an officer of the Vety Department suspected it might have been caused by the dreaded Anthrax especially that there was dark blood from the mouth, nose and the anus of the two cows.
Relating to the incident, Dr M Dilipkumar complained that the general public were not co-operating it comes to vaccination of their domestic animals.
As a preventive measure, the Vety Department along with the Pradhan of Mekola bazaar called on the people not to let loose their cattle in the field and the domestic animals including human not to venture near the deceased cows.
And informing of rumours of another such incident of death of cattle, the Vety officer called on the people to co-operate with the department for vaccination of cattle and domestic animals.
However, the doubts were later cleared off by a team of experts from Disease Investigation Laboratory, Veterinary hospital, Sanjenthong in Imphal East stating the disease was not the dreaded anthrax disease but the 'Black Quarter disease' caused by clostridium chauvei (bacteria) .
The team also took the sample of the muscle of the dead cows for further study and examination.
.LChaoba, a Senior Scientist of D.I Lab informed the Black Quarter disease was due to the non-vaccination of the cows adding it usually attacks the young un-vaccinated calves.
He also appealed to the owners of cattle to vaccinate their animals.