Buffalo death triggers panic

The mysterious death of buffaloes in seaside Rajnagar tehsil of Kendrapara district has triggered panic among livestock farmers.
Around 20 buffaloes died within a fortnight in the coastal pockets of Satabhaya, Kanhupur, Gupti and Barahapur villages, said Chaitnya Sethi, Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO).
While the authorities claimed to have initiated steps to check the spread of the disease, the panicked farmers alleged governmental inaction.
"The outbreak of the disease is confined to the specific seaside villages. The disease is suspected to be hemorrhagic septicemia which is a bacterial disease. The disease spreads through contact with infected animals. The buffalos in the disease-hit areas are being vaccinated," Sethi said.

The blood samples of 12 affected buffaloes have been sent to the Animal Disease Research Institute (ADRI) in Bhubaneswar to ascertain the exact nature of the disease, he said.