76 cows die in Paduveri, doctors suspect botulism

76 cows die in Paduveri, doctors suspect botulism

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, April 17, 2012 : The number of cattle dead at Paduvari near Byndoor in Udupi became 76 on Monday. M. T. Reju, the deputy commissioner of Udupi district, visited the stricken area on April 16 Monday and said that the post mortem reports of the dead cows might come in 2 more days.

He also said that scientists from Bangalore have come to Paduveri and have collected samples. They have also given some advice to local veterinary doctors on how to treat the affected cattle.

Dr. Nagaraj, the veterinary officer of Byndoor, said that the doctors still haven’t determined the cause of death, but fortunately 8 cows are responding to the treatment given as per the advice of the scientists who have arrived from the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAHVB).

Veterinary doctors also feel that the death of the cattle is due to botulism, a rare form of paralysis caused by the Botulinum toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. Dr. Nagaraj says that the exact problem will be known when the forensic reports come in and that the doctors are treating symptoms right now. 

The Botulinum toxin might have entered the cows’ bodies when they ingested food containing the bacteria, doctors feel.

Botulism causes paralysis of the face muscles, which slowly spreads to the limbs. In its most severe forms, it causes paralysis of the breathing muscles, which leads to respiratory failure.

Dr. Nagaraj says that doctors concluded that the cows are dying of botulism from the clinical symptoms, differential diagnosis, and rate of death intensity. Moreover, garbage including pig, sheep, and poultry remains as well as bio-medical waste was dumped on Ottinene grounds where the cattle were released for grazing, indicating that it might have contained Botulinum toxin.

Dr. Nagaraj said that cattle, which ingested a lot of waste died on the spot or within a few hours while others died slowly and much later. He said that, if it is botulism, the rate of death will be high at first and will subside after 17 days.

He also said that botulism can be given only symptomatic treatment and that there is no vaccine or medication available for it. He also suggested that villagers must avoid leaving their cattle on Ottinene grounds for grazing for at least one month.

Dr. Sudarshan, the research officer at Indian Veterinary Biologicals in Shimoga, visited Paudveri.