In Bogra's Sherpur, an epidemic has taken hold. At least 50 cows have died of the disease on the 26th of this month. Besides, about twenty thousand cows of different farms and farmers of ten unions of the upazila including the municipality have been infected with this disease. Even with the advice of the officials of the Department of Animal Resources, it is not possible to control the disease. As a result, farmers and ranchers have lost their way.
According to the Upazila Animal Resources Department, there are about 6,000 farms for dairy cows and bulls in this upazila. These farms have about two lakh six thousand cows. There are also cows in almost all the farmers' houses. Most of these cows are more or less infected with hoof disease. However, the disease has come under control as a result of timely treatment with necessary advice from the Animal Resources Department. So now there is no reason to panic.
Touhidul Islam Babu, a farmer from Betkhair village in Seemabari union of the upazila, said his farm has a total of 15 cows including bulls and cows. In the last one month, all the cows on the farm have been infected with hoof disease. He has recovered a bit after the treatment. But he did not get any help from the Animal Resources Office without advice. The farmer further said that the disease has been found in almost all the farms and farmers' houses in his area. Gradually the disease is spreading at a massive rate. Even in the last fortnight, at least ten cows have died in the surrounding villages, including his own.
Notable among them are a bull of Krishna Ghosh of Betkhair village, a bull of Alam Miah, a bull of Hossain Ali of Nakua village, a cow of Ashraf Ali of Nishindara village and a bull of Nur Mohammad of Takadhukuria village.
Abdul Gaffar of Gholagari Colony village in Shahbandegi Union of the upazila said that the village along with his farm suddenly contracted cattle hoof disease. Even four cows have died. The disease has taken on epidemic proportions. Infected cows have suffered financially due to high medical expenses. But he is not getting any medical services from the Animal Resources Department. In this situation he has lost his way.
However, there is no reason to panic about the disease, claimed the Upazila Animal Resources Officer. Amir Hamza said it was a viral disease. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during the winter months. This time too it has happened. Although he could not give the exact number of deaths of cows due to this disease, he admitted that thousands of cows of farmers and ranchers of this upazila have been affected by the disease. However, the affected cows are being provided necessary medical services from his office. In this way, almost all the affected cows have recovered. Besides, the official claimed that healthy cows are being vaccinated against rabies through mobile camps in different areas of the upazila.
