Foot-and-mouth disease probable cause for Phayao buffalo deaths
A number of buffaloes have been found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Phayao province, in northern Thailand. The livestock department of Phayao province suspected the cause to be foot-and-mouth disease and has expedited investigations to affirm the cause of death.
The incident occurred in village number 10 of Champa Wai sub-district, Mueang district, Phayao province, where the local livestock department has been inspecting the dead buffaloes to identify the cause.
The Phayao Provincial Livestock Department has ordered the local offices in Mueang Phayao and Dok Khamtai districts to accelerate the implementation of five emergency measures. Consuming the meat from the dead animals is strictly prohibited, and all carcasses are to be destroyed and buried.
Measures include:
- Isolating the sick animals from the herd for treatment with antibiotics.
- Performing post-mortem examinations of the dead buffaloes and collecting internal organ samples for lab testing.
- disinfecting the affected areas and buffalo farms within a 5-kilometre radius of the incident site;
- promptly identifying more sick animals in nearby risk areas.
- accelerating the vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease for all buffaloes within a 5-kilometre radius of the outbreak.
The population of buffaloes in this area is approximately 300.
No additional buffalo deaths have been reported recently. The tissue examination is expected to take about five to ten days. Meanwhile, the livestock department has advised against consuming the meat of the dead buffaloes. All carcasses have been destroyed and buried, reported Khaosod.
In related news, a chain of mobile health centres in Phuket has arranged for free rabies vaccinations for pet felines and canines. Phuket‘s Wichit Municipality unveiled a series of mobile centres tailored to offer free rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs.
This manoeuvre is an effort led by the Division of Public Health and Environment of Wichit Municipality. Cats and dogs can get free vaccinations from 8.30am until 12pm, starting on July 10 and concluding on July 14, The Phuket reported. Read more about this story HERE.
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