NAROWAL: Farmers and cattle owners here fear the spread of haemorrhagic septicaemia disease among their animals after three buffaloes died of the ailment in Shakargarh tehsil.

Chaudhry Rahat Ali, a resident of Khanowal village in Shakargarh tehsil of Narowal district, claimed the disease, also known as Gal Ghotu in local parlance, was spreading in his union council. In the last three days, two buffaloes of Muhammad Zafar and one belonging to Arshad Ali had died due to the disease.

Ali said after his buffalo became infected with the disease, he went to the livestock department hospital in Shakargarh and asked for a vaccine when he was told by the doctor that it had expired.

Zafar said he went to the Government Veterinary Hospital to get a vaccine to protect his remaining animals from the disease, but the hospital staff told him the vaccine had expired. He claimed the vaccine was not even available in the open market.

Three buffaloes die

Over fears of the farmers and cattle owners, Livestock Shakargarh Deputy Director Dr Muhammad Asim said haemorrhagic septicaemia attacked animals in July and August.

He said considering the current weather, the animals were suffering from pneumonia and mouth diseases due to cold. The buffaloes may have also died of the same reason, he stated.

Livestock Narowal Assistant Director Dr Saeed Ahmed claimed a vaccine for haemorrhagic septicaemia was available, adding a team of the livestock department would check all animals in the union council. The animals would be administered vaccines and treated for other seasonal diseases also.

Farmers have demanded Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and the livestock secretary take immediate notice of the situation.

Published in Dawn, january 1st, 2023