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Source: http://etalaat.net/english/front-page/299.html
Foot-and-mouth disease breaks out in Kupwara
01 June, 2008 09:00:00
7 cattle dead, hundreds infected, authorities ignorant
Shahjahan Afzal
Lolab (Kupwara), June 01:The contagious, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has broken out in various hamlets of Lolab valley of north Kashmir?s Kupwara district, with hundreds of cattle catching the virus.
Reports said the villages of Khurhama, Bedibera, Takia, Lalpora, Sogam, Krusan and Tekipora are the worst-hit since the disease break out a fortnight ago.
Locals say the department of animal husbandry is yet to carry out this year?s vaccination for want of supplies, leading to the outbreak of the disease.
FMD, sometimes called hoof-and-mouth disease, is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease of cattle and pigs. It also infects deer, elk, antelope, bison, water buffalo, goats, sheep, and other bovid.
According to experts, FMD causes fever, followed by the development of vesicles (blisters) - chiefly in the mouth and on the feet. It is probably more infectious than any other disease affecting animals and spreads rapidly if uncontrolled.
In laboratory experiments, mice, rats and chicken have been successfully infected by artificial means, but it is not believed that they would contract the disease under natural conditions. Just as humans may spread the disease by carrying the germs on their clothes and body, animals that are not susceptible to the disease may still aid in spreading it.
In Lolab, while the hundreds of infected cattle are battling for their lives for want of immediate medical aid here, many people have voluntarily slaughtered their infected cattle to prevent the disease from further spreading. One Takiya Khurhama slaughtered his FMD infected milking cow on Saturday.
Some of the signs being observed in the infected cattle in the villages as per the locals are: slobbering and smacking lips, shivering, tender and sore feet, reduced milk yield, sores and blisters on feet, teats and mouth, and high temperature.
A local veterinary surgeon, who wished not to be named, confirmed that at least seven cows have so far fallen to the disease. He warned the people against handling or coming into close contact with animals, saying that they must disinfect themselves by using soaps.
A retired vet suggested that the vet surgeons should carry out an intensive surveillance of cattle in the area so that the disease could be eradicated as quickly as possible.
Shepherd Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Chopan told Etalaat that the disease outbreak began a fortnight ago. Coming down heavily on the animal husbandry department, Chopan said the department did not bother to carry out vaccination this year.
?And still when the disease has broken out and spread, the department is watching like a mute spectator,? Chopan added.An official of the department, however, expressed his helplessness. He said since the disease broke out he many a time informed his higher ups but to no avail.
Director animal husbandry was not available for comment despite repeated efforts.
Foot-and-mouth disease breaks out in Kupwara
01 June, 2008 09:00:00
7 cattle dead, hundreds infected, authorities ignorant
Shahjahan Afzal
Lolab (Kupwara), June 01:The contagious, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has broken out in various hamlets of Lolab valley of north Kashmir?s Kupwara district, with hundreds of cattle catching the virus.
Reports said the villages of Khurhama, Bedibera, Takia, Lalpora, Sogam, Krusan and Tekipora are the worst-hit since the disease break out a fortnight ago.
Locals say the department of animal husbandry is yet to carry out this year?s vaccination for want of supplies, leading to the outbreak of the disease.
FMD, sometimes called hoof-and-mouth disease, is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease of cattle and pigs. It also infects deer, elk, antelope, bison, water buffalo, goats, sheep, and other bovid.
According to experts, FMD causes fever, followed by the development of vesicles (blisters) - chiefly in the mouth and on the feet. It is probably more infectious than any other disease affecting animals and spreads rapidly if uncontrolled.
In laboratory experiments, mice, rats and chicken have been successfully infected by artificial means, but it is not believed that they would contract the disease under natural conditions. Just as humans may spread the disease by carrying the germs on their clothes and body, animals that are not susceptible to the disease may still aid in spreading it.
In Lolab, while the hundreds of infected cattle are battling for their lives for want of immediate medical aid here, many people have voluntarily slaughtered their infected cattle to prevent the disease from further spreading. One Takiya Khurhama slaughtered his FMD infected milking cow on Saturday.
Some of the signs being observed in the infected cattle in the villages as per the locals are: slobbering and smacking lips, shivering, tender and sore feet, reduced milk yield, sores and blisters on feet, teats and mouth, and high temperature.
A local veterinary surgeon, who wished not to be named, confirmed that at least seven cows have so far fallen to the disease. He warned the people against handling or coming into close contact with animals, saying that they must disinfect themselves by using soaps.
A retired vet suggested that the vet surgeons should carry out an intensive surveillance of cattle in the area so that the disease could be eradicated as quickly as possible.
Shepherd Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Chopan told Etalaat that the disease outbreak began a fortnight ago. Coming down heavily on the animal husbandry department, Chopan said the department did not bother to carry out vaccination this year.
?And still when the disease has broken out and spread, the department is watching like a mute spectator,? Chopan added.An official of the department, however, expressed his helplessness. He said since the disease broke out he many a time informed his higher ups but to no avail.
Director animal husbandry was not available for comment despite repeated efforts.