Five more buffaloes die at NDRI Karnal, probe on

KARNAL :Five more ‘Murrah’ buffaloes died at the premier National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, on Wednesday due to bacterial-infection, taking the toll to 43 in the past eight days.

However, three teams of doctors from Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, and NDRI have failed to identify the reason behind the infection among the highest milk producing buffaloes.

They maintained that investigations were on and treatment was being given to the infected animals. “Five more buffaloes died on Wednesday and treatment was being given to the remaining five infected buffaloes”, said Dr Rajan Sharma, principal scientist and spokesperson of NDRI.

Citing lab reports, the officials claim there was no contamination or presence of toxins in the feed given to the animals. “The blood samples and organs of the dead animals have been sent to Centre for Animal Disease Research and Diagnosis in Bareilly. The examination will take two-three days,” they said.

According to the postmortem report, the buffaloes died due to respiratory problems and critical infection in lungs due to bacterial infection. However, Sharma said they are yet to reach at a conclusion and are conducting medical examination.

EMERGENCY MEET HELD

As per information, an emergency meeting of top officials and scientists of NDRI was held on Wednesday evening to discuss the issue and precautionary measure to protect about 2,000 animals, including 510 buffaloes, from the infection, if any.

Most of the scientists and officials of the institute remained tight lipped over the issue and refused to speak with the media. As per sources, the bacterial infection was noticed in some milch buffaloes on September 10 and the first death was reported on September 11. Later the infection spread to about 48 buffaloes, of which 38 were dead by Tuesday evening while five died on Wednesday.

CITING LAB REPORTS, OFFICIALS CLAIM THERE WAS NO CONTAMINATION OR PRESENCE OF TOXINS IN THE FEED GIVEN TO THE ANIMALS