Eleven cattle fall prey to Black Quarter at Itham
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 14 2015 : Altogether 11 numbers of cattle (one buffalo and ten cows) have died in Itham area of Andro Assem-bly Constituency following the purported outbreak of Black Quarter or BQ in short in the area.

A team Veterinary doctors went to the village and collected meat samples of the dead cattle for laboratory tests.

Meanwhile local MLA Th Shyamkumar has decried that the cattle died due to Veterinary Department's failure to take up preventive measures including vaccination in time.

According to some villagers of Itham, one buffalo died about a week ago, and its meat was cooked and eaten.

In the following days, 10 cows died one after another.

While meat of four cows which looked relatively heal-thier were consumed, carca- sses of the other cows were buried.

One calf was also found dead at a nearby paddy field this morning.

A representational image of cattle infected by Black Quarter

On learning about the death of cattle, a Veterinary team led by Imphal East Joint Director in-charge Dr H Kunjo went to Itham today.

After examining the dead calf, a piece of meat was sliced off and brought to the Directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Sanjenthong for necessary laboratory test.

Speaking to media persons at Itham, Dr Kunjo said that there is a 50 per cent chance of Black Quarter as indicated by the symptoms shown by the dead calf.

Some common symptoms of Black Quarter are crepitation swelling over back, hip and shoulder and lameness in affected leg.

Black Quarter, known as Zou Zou Laobi Laina in local parlance usually infects cows, buffaloes and goats.

Meat of Black Quarter infected cattle should not be consumed and their carcasses should be buried at least five feet under ground.

The carcasses may also be disposed by way of cremation, Dr Kunjo said.

As Black Quarter generally occurs during February- March, many cattle of Itham were vaccinated in advance in the month of January this year.

But some cows and buffaloes missed the opportunity as they were let off at far off pastures or grazing grounds, said Dr Kunjo.

However MLA Shyam-kumar maintained that the cattle died due to Veterinary Department's failure to take up preventive measures in time.

He further decried that the concerned Minister paid little attention when the matter about unnatural death of cattle was raised in the State Assembly.