Odisha: Malta Fever detected in cows, one-third blood samples test positive

Odisha: With at least 66 out of the 200 blood samples of cows sent for laboratory tests testing positive for Brucellosis (Malta fever), the Koraput administration has taken steps to prevent spread of the disease in the district.

“Random blood samples from cows were drawn for the laboratory tests and 33 percent of the total blood samples were detected with Brucella abortus bacterium,” CDVO (Koraput) SK Takri said.

“The disease was found from the blood samples mostly drawn from cows of Jeypore, Koraput, Damanjodi, Sunabeda and Semiliguda areas,” he added.

According to the CDVO, the disease caused by Brucella bacteria occurs as result of ingestion of unpasteurized milk or under-cooked meat from infected animals, or close contact with their secretions. Cattle are infected from polluted cattle feed or from other infected animals.

Sudden fever with shivering, joint pain, back pain, headache and inflammation of spleen are some of the symptoms of the disease which primarily infects livestock. Spread of the disease from cow to human is yet to be proved.

Ensuing hygiene in cattle sheds is one way to prevent infection in cattle.

Officials said they have been screening cows for the past few years for Brucellosis but there were very few cases.

But the recent laboratory tests of blood collected from 200 cows show that the disease is fast spreading in the district.

“While the affected animals will be kept isolated to stop spreading of the disease, female calves aged between 4 to 8 months will be vaccinated to ensure that they are not affected by the disease,” Takri said.

“Also, awareness will be spread among the cattle owners to take necessary steps to ensure that their animals are not affected by the disease,” he added.