Veterinary Disease Investigation in Northern Areas

Abstract

Survey of livestock and poultry diseases in Northern areas was initiated under the research project “Veterinary disease investigation in Northern areas”. It was concluded that among the viral diseases, foot and mouth disease is wide-spread. It remains enzootic during most of the year but severe epizootics during most part of the year but severe epizootics have also been recorded during the months of February to April every year. Rabies a dreadful animal disease communicable to humans appeared as an epizootic in Diamer district during the year 1975 to 1976. Disease is in its 3rd year of prevalence and it is continuously widening its zone of infection. By now it has spread to the entire district of Diamer and Gilgit sub-division. More than 200 persons and above 1000 animals were reported to have received animal bites. In view o fits being a public health hazard, a scheme for control of rabies in Northern Areas was prepared and submitted to the Kashmir Affairs, Northern affairs division for financial assistance by FAO/Near east government cooperative programme. This scheme aims at destruction of pie dogs, immunization of watch dogs and reduction in wild carnivora population in Northern areas. Pox among sheep and goats is also widespread disease in Northern areas, causing loss of productivity among adults and deaths in lambs and kids. At present, no efforts are being made for its control but the magnitude of this disease demands a methodical approach to reduce the losses. Among the bacterial diseases Contagious caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) ranks at No.1 among goat diseases. The disease prevalence is high in sub-divisions of Hunza Nagar, Astore, and Gilgit. Presently, curative treatment is done by inoculation of oxytetracycline. A vaccine against CCPP, procured from VRI, did not provide a satisfactory protection. It is believed that the local isolates if used for vaccine production, will enhance the immunogenicity of the product. Except districts of Ghanche and Hunza, Black quarter disease has been observed through or Northern areas. Huge losses to young bovines are on record control efforts against black quarter disease are much below the requirements as only a few thousands of cattle heads are being immunized out of 2.6 lacs susceptible population. Anthrax out break was recorded among the goats in a few villages surrounding Gilgit during the second year of this project. After this no fresh incidence has been reported. The disease appears to be highly localized. Enterotoxaemia out breaks were experienced among the sheep during the summer season every year. Presently no attempts for its control are being made, due to high mortality rates there is a need for vigorous enterotoxaemia control efforts. Incidence of ecto and endoparasitic infestation was enormous among all species of livestock in Northern Areas. Ectoparasitic were highly prevalent among sheep and goats, which harbored pediculosis, scabies and tick infestation. Gammaxene application as dips or sprays have shown excellent results for the control of all the three ectoparasitic. The treatment was demonstrated at various places, and livestock owners can now practice this technology themselves. For better disease control Gammaxene supply needs to be increase as well as more demonstrations are required to be displayed. Goat population of a large area have also been observed to be warble infested. Efforts are needed to control this disease. Incidence of liver fluke disease is very high. Practically no ruminant in northern area is free of fasciosis. Currently 2.6% of the susceptible population receive fasciolacides against a requirement of 70% twice a year, in view of heavy losses in productivity and high mortalities due to this disease a programme for “control of liver fluke disease and ecto and endoparasites of livestock in northern areas” was prepared and submitted to Kashmir affairs, northern affairs division for financial assistance by FAO/near east government cooperative program. Poultry project initiated by the animal husbandry department was provided guidance on nutrition, management and disease, a work plan for uplift of rural poultry has also been developed. Newcastle disease is the main cause of poultry mortalities throughout northern areas. Losses due to this disease can be reduced through proper immunization plan. Coccidiosis and nutritional deficiencies are some of the other reasons for high rates of mortality. There appears a great need for the livestock development programming in northern areas with special emphasis on goat. There are two distinctly separate strains of goats in northern areas: large bodied goats from Diamer district (Darel/Tanger) have potential for milk which can be further improved through better nutrition, selective breeding and if necessary, by cross breeding with high milk yielding goats; and small sized goat, available all over the northern areas, are fairly prolific. Agricultural Research council has been requested to include northern areas in their coordinated goat development programme, to which they have kindly agreed. Northern areas sheep are of fine wool type but production is extremely low, mainly due to smaller size of the animal, heavy ecto and endo parasitic infestation and their genetic makeup. Wool production and quality can be improved by cross breeding with exotic breeds like Ramboulet. For cattle improvement, efforts at selective breeding be put in. because cross breeding with large animals will increase the size of native cattle rendering it further uneconomical to maintain as well as will not be suitable for grazing in uphill pastures.