16 cows dead, govt sends samples for test

Kolkata, February 4 At a time when the state is reeling under the bird flu, another animal disease—Anthrax—has hit the state. At Mathabhanga in Coochbehar district, six cows died of Anthrax recently. The government is also probing the cause of death of 10 cows at Jalangi in Murshidabad district.

The state government has sent samples of dead cows from Jalangi to the forensic laboratory in Kolkata for tests. The state government, however, tried to play down the threat saying that it was almost a regular feature that affects animals, especially cattle.

“As six cows have died of Anthrax, we have rushed veterinary doctors and our department officials with vaccination kits to the area. However, there is no reason to panic,” said Animal Resource Development minister Anisur Rehman. He added an awareness campaign has also been launched.

“We suspect that the cows died of grass poisoning. However, we have sent the samples for forensic tests. We are also vaccinating cattle regularly,” said an ARD department official from Murshidabad.