Till November 18, as many as 18,011 cattle deaths were reported across the state. By December 8, the number had increased to 25,402, statistics provided by the animal husbandry department indicated. A senior officer of the department pointed out that the highest number of deaths in the Nashik division was in the Ahmednagar district. The death toll here increased from 1,906 to 3,063 during this period.
Meanwhile, the Buldhana district has had the most cattle deaths (4,556) so far. Ahmednagar has swapped positions with Jalgaon to take the second spot. While Amravati is in the third spot with 2,453 cattle deaths, and Jalgaon is in the fourth spot with 2,370 deaths.
According to senior officials of the department, the high number of deaths in Ahmednagar was due to increasing infection among calves, even though the recovery among adult animals was improving. The rate at which the cattle are being cured of the disease during the same period too has improved – from 72% to 77%.
“Calves are most sensitive to the infection. After being infected, it takes them some time to build up immunity. And they generally die on the third or fourth day of infection. Calves less than four months old are most susceptible,” the office said.
The officer added that isolation of infected cattle was being carried out at an individual level, as it is not possible on a large scale.
A central team of experts from the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairy that visited Maharashtra had sought a change in protocol for the treatment of infected animals. “It is being implemented from December 2 and is yielding results,” the officer added. Since the liver is largely affected due to medicines, changes in the protocol include providing supplements and tonics to improve liver strength, changes in feed and fodder, and ensuring vector-free clean cow sheds.
“The changed protocol is being followed aggressively and farmers are being made aware,” the officer added.
