A highland village recorded 26 cattle dead, suspected of blackleg disease

On November 24, confirming with the reporter of Vietnam Agriculture News, Vice Chairman Tho Ba Re of Ky Son District People's Committee, said, "We have just received information that livestock of people in Huoi Mu village, Huoi Tu commune died in large numbers. Initial statistics recorded a total of 26 cattle. The professional agency denied the cause of septicemia, and there is a high chance that blackleg disease is the root of the problem".

Vice Chairman Re also emphasized the recency of the incident, and the dead cows and buffaloes were not part of any program or project. Based on the actual developments, on November 25, the interdisciplinary delegation of Ky Son District People's Committee went to the scene to inspect and soon had a plan to deal with the situation through clear directives.

Through investigation and verification, it is known that the unusual incident at Huoi Mu village occurred on November 19. In the following days, the number of dead buffaloes and cows increased rapidly, causing many owners to be extremely worried. The dead buffaloes and cows all share a common phenomenon of bloated bellies, at first glance, it looked like balloons about to burst.

Local authorities have taken some samples for analysis to quickly clarify the cause. Examination of the muscles and meat in the thighs of buffaloes and cows revealed dark areas with air bubbles around them, which is a typical sign of blackleg disease in cattle.

Information from the leader of the People's Committee of Huoi Tu commune shows that the blackleg epidemic is spreading rapidly among the livestock of Huoi Mu village, from the actual number of dead buffaloes and cows, the total damage is estimated to be up to several hundred millions of VND. In particular, the most serious case is at Ly Xai Phia's household with 12 buffaloes and 1 cow found dead.

This is the first time this remote commune has recorded blackleg in cattle, so panic and confusion have widely spread. The commune People's Committee has coordinated with the Office of Agriculture and Rural Development and the district-level Agricultural Service Center to organize zoning and treatment to have the epidemic under control on a small scale, but the implementation process is actually filled with difficulties.

The first problem is the ways blackleg disease is transmitted. The bacteria that cause the disease are present in food and drinking water, so it is difficult for buffaloes and cows to avoid infection when they consume it. The disease proves to be even more dangerous as it spreads quickly and can cause immediate death in a short period of time.

In fear of the situation worsening, the People's Committee of Huoi Tu commune proposed Ky Son district provide vaccines to households to prevent blackleg disease. As for local farmers, the authorities recommended regular herd inspection. Livestock households should immediately report any unusual signs to the relevant units.

On the other hand, the People's Committee of Huoi Tu commune has mobilized forces to organize disinfection and sterilization in farms where buffaloes and cows have died or are infected with blackleg to minimize the risk. The commune government also requires people not to slaughter infected buffaloes and cows to avoid spreading bacteria to the surrounding environment.

Blackleg is an acute infectious disease of cattle and buffaloes, caused by anaerobic bacteria Clostridium chauvoei and some other anaerobic bacteria (Cl.septicum, Cl.perfringens). When infected with the bacteria, cows and buffaloes will have swollen muscles and bloat. If infected in a very acute form, cows and buffaloes can die within 3 to 6 hours. In the acute form, the disease progresses in 2 - 3 days to 1 week. If not treated promptly, the livestock will die.

This disease can occur year-round in areas contaminated with Clostridium chauvoei spores, and the frequency increases during hot, humid, and rainy months. Rainwater causes bacterial spores from the soil to float onto straw and grass, and when eaten by livestock, the disease develops.