Anthrax vaccination drive continues

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 4: Vaccination drive is continuing at Bhojaner-chhara village under Nishiganj-I Gram Panchayat in Mathabhanga-II block and adjoining areas to prevent spreading of anthrax among cattle. Massive awareness drive was also launched in those villages. The villagers of the area were asked not to consume the meat of dead cows that die of anthrax symptoms. They were also asked to bury those dead domestic animals soon after death. Removal of skins from those dead animals was also discouraged.

 

Though a massive vaccination drive have launched but even not a single case of anthrax infection among human beings was reported till now, Cooch Behar DM Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha said.

 

It may be recalled here that death of six cows on Friday night made locals panicky about anthrax outbreak at Bhojaner-chhara village. On being informed the ARD personnel had collected blood samples for examination. As the samples tested positive for Anthrax it was decided that the cattle of the entire area would be vaccinated to stop spreading of the infectious disease.

 

On the otherhand, a joint commissioner of Union animal resources development department, Dr S Negi arrived here this afternoon from New Delhi to review the situation that have arisen following bird flu and anthrax outbreak. He is also to supervise the mop up drive that is going on after completion of culling drive in the villages from where the avian flu cases were reported, according to the Cooch Behar ADM (D) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra. The joint commissioner will visit all the bird flu affected villages in Dinhata-I, Dinhata-II and Mathabhanga-I blocks and also the anthrax-affected village in Mathabhanga-II block.

 

Meanwhile, the quarantined members of the culling teams are getting aggrieved. Many of them alleged that the administration failed to arrange adequate food or basic amenities for them though they did a tremendous job during the recently concluded culling drive. In this shivering winter it is hard to live isolated away from home without proper beddings, they said. When inquired about the allegation, the ADM (D) Mr Mahapatra said arrangements being made to handover food tokens to the quarantined persons and better bedding facilities from today. []