Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Oct 16: Senior National Conference leader and former Minister Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo expressed grave concern over the epidemic of `Mouth and Foot Disease’ (MFD) that has turned fatal in Passar area of Marwah sub-division of district Kishtwar killing at least more than dozen cattle and infecting more than 200 so far.
In a press statement here Kichloo said that residents from various villages of Marwah told him that epidemic of MFD, a viral infection, has been taking a heavy toll on their cattle. Around more than ten cattle including milk yielding cows and their heifers died due to the infection in our village. They accused department of Animal Husbandry for spread of this infection.
The villager said they used to vaccinate our cattle but this year they have not visited here and left our cattle without vaccination. They blamed the employees of the Animal Husbandry Department for this lapse. Villagers also said that the vaccine against said infection has not reached at the door steps to the needy, so it is the prime responsibility of the District authorities. They said that half cattle population has been infected.
Kichloo identified the affected villages as Astangaam, Yoordu, Pethgaam, Satarvagan, Nebar, Aapan, Kokan, Nowgam, Dharayi, Noupachi, Kadrina, Chanjar, Hynen, Teller, Dherna, Hanzal, Ruchal, Humdondu, Aier, Runayi, Dund, Zaban and Methwan.
Meanwhile, Kichloo said that the infection spread through inflow of cattle into the district from outside the State. “We are a meat consuming State and we import cattle from Delhi and Rajashtan. These non-vaccinated cattle spread the infection once they enter into the State. He further added that the vaccination builds immunity but once the vaccinated cattle get exposed they catch the infection, ” he added
He pointed out that mortality of breeding cows by MFD is a significant loss to many families living below the poverty line. He further urged the District Administration and Director Animal Husbandry to constitute a special committee and direct the concerned officers to visit there as early as possible and assess the loss by this MFD and find an ultimate way in terms for the provision of compensation.
Follow our WhatsApp channel