SWAT: The residents of different areas in Bahrain tehsil have said that over a dozen animals have died so far after a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the region.

They said that FMD spread in the region mostly in Ushu, Matiltan, Palogah areas which hit hundreds of animals causing panic among the local residents. They said that the infected animals were severely weakened by the disease while the younger ones were dying.

“The strange disease spread in my animals which have developed fever, blisters in their mouth and on feet, weight loss, loss of appetite, lameness and they are very weak. One of our calves has succumbed to the disease while 10 more are suffering from it,” said Gul Rahman, a resident of Matiltan valley.

The residents said that they were locally treating their animals but unable to control it which was why they were in high tension. “The FMD has killed one of our animals and others are severely ill. They have become very weak and do not eat. I am afraid the other animals will die if the disease has not been controlled,” said Qari Bilal, another resident of Matlitan valley.

The local residents and owners of animals said that the government must take emergency steps to control the disease otherwise they would receive a big loss.

When contacted, district director (livestock) Dr Sar Blinad Khan said the residents had yet to contact his department about the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease.

“We have a proper veterinary hospital in Bahrain tehsil but the people haven’t contacted us. The FMD is actually transferred from Punjab when the local people of Upper Swat migrate to the down district during the winter season and then return the summer season,” he told Dawn.

He said FMD was an international problem in animals for which proper vaccination was available but the local people did not bother to vaccinate their animals in time which was why the disease spread in an area quickly.

“The disease has a high mortality rate in young animals while high morbidity in adult animals. If owners vaccinate their animals for FMD then they do not have to worry as the vaccinated animals develop immune systems,” he said and asked people to get their animals vaccinated in time to avoid risk.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2021