Kozhikode: There is no let up in cow deaths at Mantharathur in Maniyur gram panchayat, Vadakara. Rabies infection has claimed the life of one more cow on Sunday taking the total toll to nine, in a short span. People are under fear and the panchayat authorities have convened an all-party meet to discuss the issue on Wednesday.
Though animal husbandry department and dairy farmers are suspecting the presence of a fox or stray in the area, nothing concrete has been confirmed. “It is alarming. There is no clue on the biting animal. The officials say it may be stray dog or fox but people hint at some unknown creature. We cannot leave continuously under fear,” said P.P. Balan, vice-president of the panchayat.
“Bite marks on some cattle which were deep succumbed. There are minor bite marks which is hard to distinguish,” said Shahabath Joona, ward member at Mantharathur.
The cows that died are from neighbouring houses which includes those vaccinated against rabies. “The test result from Pookod veterinary university had confirmed that the death was due to rabies. Five of the cows which were under vaccination process, had suffered bites and two had died,” said Dr K.K. Pramod, government vet surgeon at Maniyur. He says that present vaccination medicine is not strong enough to prevent the virus spread out of a hard bite, especially if it was on the face of animal.
The animal husbandry department has already started camps for dairy farmers to allay their fears. But deaths are occurring regularly. The all-party meet will be held at Mantharathur L.P School at 4 pm today.
