Officials suspect haemorrhagic septicaemia for death of buffaloes in Nagaland

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 8 (EMN): Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH & VS), Dr. Budhi Lama on Wednesday said the department is ‘on the job’ regarding the report of sudden and unusual mortality of buffaloes from an unspecific disease at Kangjan village under Meluri sub-division in Phek district.

It was informed that about 30 mortality cases had been reported.

Lama told Eastern Mirror that the department had conducted a meeting regarding the outbreak as the official report was received only on Tuesday and a technical team had left for the site on September 7. Despite the challenging terrain, he said, the team reached the spot on Wednesday morning.

He informed that according to report received from the ground zero, a preliminary investigation and treatment of the affected animals had been carried out and “the cause will only be confirmed after laboratory test”.

The official asserted that although it was observed from the clinical symptoms that the mortality might be due to peracute form of haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS), which is caused by a bacteria called Pasteurella multocida, but the exact cause would be known only after a laboratory test which would take a few days, as the samples have to be brought to Kohima from the far-flung village.

“This is an unusual time; had it been what we suspect until the results are out, as the disease that we presume usually occurs mostly in early parts of the year- March and April,” stated the director.

He also maintained that the suspected disease is endemic in particular areas and is not a first-of- its-kind case in the state but had occurred in places like Jalukie, Dimapur, Mon and Medziphema, and especially in foothill areas where buffalo population is more.

He added that in order to prevent the same, pre-monsoon vaccinations were also carried out.

The department also stated in an update that the aetiology would be confirmed only after laboratory test and requested the public and livestock owners to remain vigilant on any sudden death of the animals and also report such cases to the nearest veterinary institute for further investigations.

“It may be reiterated that reporting the matter to the right authority is of utmost importance, i.e. AH & Veterinary Services Department in this case, for timely initiation of control and containment plan,” read the update.     

“Further, the livestock owners have been requested not to open the carcass nor consume the death animals, but to follow proper procedures in disposing the death animal in co-ordination with the department officers,” it added.

Department ill-equipped

The director of AH & VS also maintained that the department is ill-equipped especially transportation facilities for the field workers, saying that in the entire Phek district, only one vehicle has been provided to the chief veterinary officer (CVO). He added the veterinary surgeon (VS) is not provided with a vehicle.

Maintaining that the department faces transportation challenge, the official said ‘the government did not allow (it) to buy vehicle’.

Another official also informed this newspaper that in Mon district too, ‘the only person provided with a vehicle is being transferred to Dimapur district, so there is no vehicle for the district at the moment’.

Meanwhile, Lama stated that the department is applying for a mobile vehicle unit (MVU) and is requesting the Government of India to provide the same, which could be fully operated with the treatment and audio-visual facilities.

The officials from the department maintained that it’s in dire need of vehicles for timely execution of duties and to respond to outbreaks, vaccination and others activities.