60 cattle at TTD cow shelter get brucellosis
The infected cows and bulls have been shifted to a separate shed.
Tirupati: There is a huge increase in brucellosis cases at the Go Samrakshana Sala of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Nearly 60 cows and bulls have been infected by the pathogenic bacteria. The infected animals have been segregated to prevent the spread of the disease. A separate shed has been built for these animals. This pathogen can infect humans in case they consume non-pasteurised milk or milk products of the infected animals.
There are nearly 1,600 cows and bulls at the gosala. The milk used in all TTD temples is supplied from the same dairy farm. Keeping this in mind the authorities are taking precautions. Out of the 30 Indian breeds, nearly 10-12 are seen in the same farm. The infected animals have to permanently carry the pathogen as there is no cure. State Diagnostic Laboratory professor and head D. Rani Pramila said, “The disease will show its severity during the pregnancy of cows. Abortions will be high. The bull’s fertility rate will get drastically reduced.”
“Humans dealing with infected animals are likely to be attacked by brucellosis. It may cause fever, spondylitis, muscular and joint pains in humans,” Dr Pramila said. She added, “The university V-C and director of the research looking at the issue. Veterinarians can get infected by this bacteria. We are about to conduct sessions on brucellosis for the animal husbandry department soon.”
Director of the Go Samrakshana Sala K. Harnatha Reddy said, “The animals from Gujarat and Rajasthan have brucellosis. We have segregated the infected ones. To ensure safety we have identified a plot 40 km away to isolate infected animals.”