Around 70 cattle heads have died in several villages under Aul block of Kendrapada district in the past two weeks. Chief district veterinary officer Dr. Umakanta Sahoo attributed most of the deaths to amphistomes, also known as rumen flukes disease, which is locally called 'Kurmi'.
Symptoms and Treatment
Dr. Sahoo explained that key signs of this disease include severe diarrhea, rapid weight loss, and swelling under the jaw, a condition known as 'bottle jaw'. Affected animals also show reduced milk yield and curdling, along with significant loss in body mass despite their willingness to eat. He noted that the disease can be treated with targeted anthelmintic medicines.
Management and Prevention
Proper grazing and pasture control are essential for managing the disease. Due to the shortage of green grass during summer, cattle are forced to eat dry grass and tree leaves, making them vulnerable to infection. Dr. Sahoo advised villagers to provide green grass, husks, and sufficient water to the animals during summer, as hot weather is a contributing factor.
The veterinary officer added that rapid response teams have been formed, comprising livestock inspectors, village gomitras, and veterinary officers in the district. Blood and stool samples from some affected and dead animals were collected and sent to the Animal Disease Research Institute in Cuttack for analysis.
This outbreak has caused concern among local farmers, who rely on cattle for their livelihood. The district administration is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to prevent further spread of the disease.
