ANTHRAX FEAR

Anthrax panic in Mathabhanga

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 16: Sudden unnatural incidents of death of cattle spread anthrax panic at Kuktikata village under Bairagir-hat gram panchayat in Mathabhanga-I block.

It was learnt that cows, calves, goats and lambs in the village started dying about a week ago. Three cows, 13 goats, two lambs and a calf died so far.

The owners of the dead cattle – Mr Anil Barman, Mr Pulin Barman, Mr Chandra Sekhar Adhikari and others conveyed the matter to the block animal resources development department officials. The panic-stricken villagers demanded measures to prevent further death of cattle in the area.

Today, a team led by block livestock development officer (BLDO) of Mathabhanga-I, Dr Tapas Dasgupta visited the affected area. They collected blood samples from the dead cattle for examination. As a precaution, they asked the villagers to burry the carcasses of the cattle.

When contacted, the ARD deputy director Dr Tapan Kumar Roy said he instructed the ARD personnel concerned to keep watch on the affected area to study the situation. Before any laboratory test it is not possible to identify the cause of death of the cattle as anthrax, he said.

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