Bhutan: 2012 Anthrax outbreaks

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=25260

Anthrax kills 11 cows

For the past two weeks, people in the remote Kumadzong village of Gongdue gewog in Mongar have been eating beef every day.

On January 13, the villagers reported to the gewog livestock extension office in Daksa, which is about 3 hours walk from the village that 11 cows had died in their village since December 31 last month.

An anthrax outbreak is suspected to have killed all 11 cows that belonged to five households.

After the livestock extension officer visited the village, the carcass of the 11th cow was buried. Villagers told the officer that they had consumed the first 10. They have so far not reported with any illness...

[Shiloh]

Re: Bhutan: 2012 Anthrax outbreaks

Source: http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=28582

Awaiting vaccines after death of three cattle
Mar 13, 2012


Anthrax Outbreak: Trashigang has yet to receive the anthrax spore vaccine from National Center for Animal Health.
Although the first outbreak of anthrax was reported in Younphula under Kanglung gewog on February 18 the dzongkhag has still not received the vaccine.

On February 20, a cow died from symptoms of anthrax in Shingchen gonpa, around 2km from the place of first outbreak.

A cow bled from its orifices, had fever and bloated before it died.

It was found that the cow in Shingchen gonpa was grazing on the same pastureland with the cow that died in Younphula.

A laboratory examination in regional livestock development center later confirmed that both cows died from anthrax.

Blood samples from both carcasses showed presence of bacillus anthracis or the bacteria that causes anthrax.

On February 27 the third cattle died at Rongthung with similar symptoms of bleeding from orifices, bloating and fever.

Of the nine cattle that died in the dzongkhag, three were confirmed positive of having succumbed to anthrax from the lab test at the centre.

But even after the report of third anthrax case in the dzongkhag, the centre is still awaiting the anthrax spore vaccine.

Though the officials gave antibiotic treatment to the animals, they said it was likely the bacteria spread further to Rongthung because of lack of vaccination.

The centre?s veterinary officer, Dr Sangay Letho said the source of the bacteria in Rongthung could be from Younphula.

Rongthung is 12km drive down from Younphula...