Khunta: A yet to be identified disease affecting cattle here has become a cause of concern for farmers in Mayurbhanj district.
According to local farmers, the animals get blisters on their skin that lead to wounds after several days. These blisters initially come up on the joints of the front legs, they said.
The farmers suspect it to be a kind of pox. However, with farming activities at their peak these days, they are a worried lot. They are also at a loss to understand how to treat their cattle and manage farming at the same time.
A total of 68 heads of cattle in 13 villages like Katarashola, Gadigaon, Dharampur, Nuasahi, Dhanaghera, Khudaputuli, Bisipur, Chunadiha, Angara, Kundia, Chhatarama and Bahanada of Khunta block along with Badakhunta and Tangana villages of Gopabandhu Nagar block are affected by this disease. The animals are undergoing treatment at the veterinary centre and five sub treatment centres, it is learnt.
However, local veterinary officer Sudhanshu Sekhar Mandal has assured the distressed farmers that the disease is curable. He has identified it to be a skin disease caused by a certain virus. Regular treatment for three to five days will get them cured, he added.
“Blood and skin samples from the affected animals have been sent to the district laboratory. The report will throw more light on the disease,” he added.
Some of the cattle are also undergoing treatment at the veterinary centre while a mobile unit is attending to calls. None of the cattle affected died due to this disease, informed additional veterinary officer Archana Sarangi.
PNN