Several sheep and goats test positive for Anthrax

Anantapur: Several sheep and goat have tested positive for Anthrax in the villages of the district bordering on the Karnataka state. The anthrax disease is believed to have been contacted from the border villages of Karnataka, Bellary, Bagepalle, Gowribidanur, Chikballapur and Tamakur. Shepherds who migrated to Karnataka border villages for fodder and grazing of their cattle were infected with the deadly disease.

The Animal Husbandry department is now on a mission mode to vaccinate the sheep and goats, thereby trying to prevent the spread of the disease. Medical and Health department also has started vaccination programme to the shepherds as a preventive measure.

Three years ago in October 2014, one person in Manempalle village in Lepakshi mandal also contacted Anthrax. Moreover, several sheep were struck with anthrax disease. Even in January 2015, sheep in dharmavaram mandal had been struck with the disease and the medical team had controlled the disease with vaccination.

The disease has resurfaced and created a fear psychosis in villages once again. The staff of the Veterinary Department have launched vaccination campaign throughout the district including in Chetlamorampalle village in Gorantla mandal and in Chilamattur mandal several shepherds are believed to be having the disease symptoms. The livestock in Karnataka border is being purchased by the local farmers and they are said to be suffering from the disease.

The Animal Husbandry department sources said that the vaccination of cattle in 16 villages have been completed. Blood samples of the suspected sheep have been sent to Veterinary Biological Research Institute. However, the officials are being criticised for being lethargic and tackling the disease on an eye wash mode.