Through this write up I would like to share my experience in dealing with the supposedly outbreak of Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) in the Jalukie sub-division of Peren district. At the foremost, I am to clarify that I am not a trained veterinarian but a progressive farmer rearing cattle since 1998 and have come across this disease and had successfully managed to control the outbreak in epidemic form in the past. Having relatives living in various villages under Jalukie sub-division, I learnt that cattle, especially buffalos are dying within 6 to 24 hours of manifestation of the following symptoms - salivation, nasal discharge, respiratory distress with swelling of throat. It is also learnt that buffalos died in hundreds in each village which certainly will have devastating economic effect in the area. My elder brother, who is living at Punglwa village too lost 3 (three) buffalos within 24 hours of showing symptoms of the disease.
Suspecting the disease to be HS (this is my assumption only as I have not tested nor consulted any expert) I went to Punglwa village on 19th & 20th April, 2016 and treated some buffalos showing symptoms of the disease and administered the following medicines:
1. Firstly, 5ml of Dexona administered through IV (intravenous) means.
2. Secondly, 20ml of Avil administered through IM (intramuscular).
3. Thirdly, 20ml of Xyclofen administered through IV.
4. Exact – 3 (Ceftriaxone & Sulbactam) 3 g
The first day 2 vials of Exact -3 ( ie, 6 g) administered with one vial injected on each side of the buffalo through IV. The Exact-3 is to be injected daily with single vial of 3g from the 2nd day to the 5th day. This may be administered IM.
All the buffalos which were administered the above medicines are saved and has regained their health again as on 24th April, 2016.
The outbreak of the disease is very alarming and is spreading very fast in many villages in the plain sector of Jalukie sub-division; Lamhai-Dunki areas to Heningkulwa, Ngwalwa, Gaili, Punglwa and may spread to other neighbouring villages of Moava, Tsüü, Socünoma, Seirhi, etc. I assumed that the authorities are taking all precautionary measures to contain the disease. However, through my own experience, I would further like to advice the villagers not to panic as the disease is curable. Any buffalo showing the above symptoms be treated immediately as described above. It may be noted that even an hour delay in treating the animal may be fatal. Further, the villagers should herd all their cattle/buffalos and bring them to areas where they can monitor them on hourly basis, as death follows within 6 – 24 hours of manifestation of symptoms of the disease. It may be advisable to all prudent farmers to keep the first day doses of the medicines ready.
It may be noted that the disease is transmitted through direct contact between animals and also through sharing contaminated feeds such as grass and water. Therefore, care should be taken to quarantine all the diseased animals and should not be allowed to graze along with other cattle in the same field or drink water from the same waterhole. The villagers are also advised to immediately vaccinate all their cattle/buffalos.
The writer is of the view that this kind of outbreak of disease is partly due to the fault of the villagers. Many times, the villagers failed to report the matter to the authority in time so as to let them take precautionary measures such as vaccination etc. The present outbreak too may be for such reason. In this context, I am to advice the villagers to keep in touch with the Veterinary Department on regular basis and get vaccination for HSBQ, FMD which the Department is having sufficiently in their stock. With this kind of regular contact with the Department, we the farmers may be able to save ourselves from this kind of devastating outbreak of diseases in future. The Department is ready to help the farmers at all times.
The above medicines and vaccines will be available at Deepak Medical, Nyamo Lotha Road, Dimapur.
Arü Khate
