Veterinary health official advises control measures
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 9
An outbreak of Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS) has been reported in two villages under Medziphema sub-division, Dimapur. HS is a bacterial infection that can have devastating effects on ruminants (livestock), if left unchecked.
Based on the reports, the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer (DCVO), Dimapur, informed that a team from Veterinary Health Centre, Medziphema was sent to the affected area on April 8.
Citing the field team’s report, the DCVO said that over 20 buffalo deaths occurred in Sheiri Angami and Sochünuma villages during the past few days.
The symptoms observed pointed to a suspected HS outbreak that would have caused the deaths. Livestock once infected are known to succumb within two days. As per the DCVO, the telltale signs of HS include frothy mouth, difficulty breathing, high temperature and ‘complete off feed’ or loss of appetite.
While informing that two buffaloes with symptoms were treated, the DCVO said that Veterinary Field Assistants were instructed to continue the treatment.
The official added that livestock owners in the area were also provided with antibiotics, vitamins, mineral mixture and antiparasitic drugs.
As control measures, the DCVO advised immediate blood serum collection from the buffaloes in the affected area, provision of antibiotics and other supporting medicine and “ring vaccination” in the affected and surrounding villages.
Ring vaccination is a medical practice employed to inhibit the spread of disease outbreaks.
Further, a practicing veterinarian in Dimapur recommended vaccination atleast twice a year to prevent HS outbreak in livestock. He said once there is an outbreak, livestock become extremely susceptible.
