Disease, fodder shortage kill 250 cattle in Zhob

Rafiullah Mandokhail

ZHOB: Mortality of hundreds cattle has been reported due to Enterotoxaemia disease and fodder shortage in Kakkal village in Tang Sar union council of Zhob district. Over two hundred goats, sheep and cows have been hit by the disease and fodder shortage, the veterinary officials said as quoting the residents of the area.

The Enterotoxaemia disease, declared by the veterinary doctors and weight loss have reportedly killed around 250 animals including goats, sheep and cows in hilly Kakkal area. The Livestock and Dairy Development department has confirmed the claim that hundreds of cattle died.

‘Around 250 cattle heads have been died during the last couple of days in Kakkal village of Tang Sar union council,” said veterinary official Dr. Masam Kibzai, quoting the notable Haji Muhammad Khan Kibzai from the affected area. The official said that the Livestock department has dispatched a special team to the affected area on emergency basis to vaccinate the cattle.

“To overcome the situation fodder and anti-biotic medicines should be provided on emergency basis and the cattle also need to be drenched with de-warming medicines”, he said adding the department lacks funds and resources for the purpose.

“Soon after receiving information about the disease, a veterinary team dispatched to the affected area to administer vaccines to cattle.” He said.

According to the livestock census there were around 0.1 million cattle heads in Tang Sar union council alone. The Enterotoxaemia, he said, is a disease among sheep and goats that caused by a bacterium.

Livestock obviously plays an important role in the country’s economy. Zhob district is one of the most important districts in Balochistan regarding livestock population. Livestock is the main source of food for its people in the rural areas of Zhob.