Mysterious disease kills 2,000 cattle in Kurigram
The disease is spreading fast in Kurigram Sadar, Roumari, Rajibpur and Rajarhat upazilas. Every day hundreds of the sick cows are being brought at the upazila livestock offices for treatment, but to no effect.
Some small farmers who are dependent on ploughing land of others are facing tough days after the death of their cows.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Abul Hossen, a small farmer of Najira in Kurigram Sadar upazila said that one of his two cows died of mysterious disease three weeks back. The two cows were his only sources of income, he said. One of the cows of Mahbub, a neighbour of Abul Hossen also died of mysterious disease.
Fearing possible attack, farmers in nine upazilas are selling their cows at low prices. A number of people also became sick due to intake of meat of sick cows.
Police arrested Khairul, a butcher at Tagrihat in Kurigram Sadar upazila on charge of selling meat of sick cows.
Alam, another butcher, resident of vocational crossing area in the district town is absconding following police search.
Although experts in the district Livestock Department are trying to identify the cause of the diseases, but they are yet to become successful in their efforts, said a livestock officer.
Abdus Saber, a merchant cum dairy farmer of Baparipata in Kurigram Sader uapzila told this correspondent his two cows worth about Tk 60,000 died within four hours of attack of the mysterious disease.
A veterinary surgeon of the district livestock department carried out examination on the cows, but he could not ascertain the cause of the animals death, said Abdus Saber.
Abdus Chhalam, former chiarman of Kurigram municipality said that one of his cows died of mysterious disease a few weeks ago. He said after loose motion his cows became weak. They vomitted several times and finally died.
District Livestock Department termed the cause of the death to be dehydration. But after application of medicine it was proved to be ineffective, said another official of the department on condition of anonymity.