Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 30 2009:
IN THE wake of the Global community fighting against the up-to-the-minute epidemic 'Swine Flu,' a cattle plague known as 'Black Quarter' or BQ is gripping in and around Mekola village in Imphal West district.
As such, report of many cows dying of the disease has been doing the round.
When Hueiyen Lanpao visited Mekola area today after receiving report of the dead of cows, two dead cows visibly lying in the terrace fields were encountered.
Apart from the increasing bulge of the bellies, blood surged out from the nose and the mouths of the carcasses of the cows.
Narrating the prevalence of the disease to Hueiyen Lanpao, Dr M Kumar, a doctor at the Mekola Veterinary Hospital said that the disease has the characteristics of a bacterium borne infection 'Anthrax.' At the beginning, there was even fear that the infection could be communicable to human being.
Acting promptly, the Doctor had instructed the villagers to intensify publicity campaign and informed every cattle owner to confine their cattle in their sheds for a while.
However, the disease inflicting the cattle of the area has been confirmed to be 'Black Quarter' after conducting sample test with the help of laboratory experts sent by the Joint Director of Veterinary department, Dr Kumar recounts.
The Doctor further said that disease can be prevented with adequate dosage and timely injection of veterinary medicines.
Lodging complaint over the dead of several cattle which can be prevented with timely injection by the Veterinary doctors, residents of Mekola area have revealed that some cows had died in March this year of 'unknown' epidemic.
A local resident said that a cow was found dead in the field last month.
But instead of reporting the dead to the Veterinary hospital authority, some youths have had it.
According to laboratory expert, Dr Ibotombi, the disease is easily contagious.
Dog and cat biting the carcass, the disease would by far infect theirs too.
He believes that the present epidemic is the continuance of the previous one that was reported to be prevalent in March last.