Bhawanipatna: As a measure to prevent any probable spread of the hemorrhagic septicemia (called Sahana in local parlance), the district administration started immunisation of cattle in 33 villages within Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary in Kalahandi.
The step was initiated Thursday afternoon to safeguard the wildlife inside the sanctuary area, a senior official of state Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (FARD) department informed.
Notably, six elephants had died in the sanctuary in the last fortnight. Post-mortem reports had revealed that the animals had died after being infected by hemorrhagic septicemia.
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“Post-mortem reports have concluded that it is a bacterial disease known as ‘sahana’ found in cattle and other domesticated animals. It is believed that the infection has directly or indirectly spread to the elephants,” Additional Director of the department Pratap Keshari Khamari expressed.
Cattle in other villages nearby the sanctuary will also be vaccinated against hemorrhagic septicemia soon. Twenty teams comprising of 10 veterinary doctors and 50 supporting staff are tracking domesticated animals for vaccination against the disease, Khamari added.
Notably, a team from Union Ministry of Environment and Forests will carry out an on-the-spot assessment of remedial measures taken to check jumbo deaths in Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary.
PNN
