Foot and mouth disease affects cattle in Balige village

Cattle in Balige village are infected with foot and mouth disease which has spread from the stray cattle in Kyatanamakki.

The cattle affected with the disease bleed from their gums and hooves. The aged cattle have become weak, after not being able to consume fodder. The disease is also found in Dantaga and Thura areas.

The cattle of the local breed of Malenadu Gidda, have also developed foot and mouth disease. The farmers see a bleak future as the bulls used for agriculture and milch cows are suffering from the disease.

Animal husbandry department officials and staff have visited Balige village and have noted the severeness of the disease. Department Assistant Director Dr Venugopal said that as the domestic cattle have come in contact with stray cows in Kyatanamakki while grazing, the disease has spread faster. Hundreds of stray cattle from other regions which graze in the hills are not vaccinated against the disease.

The villagers said that the cattle from other places are transported in goods vehicles, and are left in the hills to graze.