100 cattle death due to FMD outbreak in Kangpokpi

Kangpokpi, June 23 : The statement of Veterinary Department over the death of cattle in Twilang area has angered Twilang people who have claimed that nearly 100 cattle have already died of Foot-and-Mouth-Disease outbreak in the area.
Village representatives of Twilang area came down to Kangpokpi today and met the Executive Member of ADC Sadar Hills and Veterinary Officials over the matter. BP Vikas Basnet, Executive Member (Veterinary) held a press meet at Kangpokpi DHQs.
Seilen Lhoujem, ADC Member from Wakotphai DCC and the representatives of Twilang people also joined the press meet.
BP Vikas Basnet expressed deep concern over the “senseless and misleading statement” of the Veterinary Department officials at a time when the people are facing a bad situation owing to the outbreak of FMD in the area.
He pointed out that altogether around 88 cows including 2 goats have already died due to FMD at different places in the area till now.  
Basnet said that 33 cows in Irang Part-II, 47 cows in Wakotphai area, 6 cows in Chalwa and 2 goats in Gelbung have already died.
He also said, “Many more death of cattle has been reported from other places but we are yet to ascertain the exact number of death.”
Basnet continued that Veterinary Officer of SHADC Kangpokpi Dr John Meigai and his team has been stationed in the area since June 9 and they have also personally witnessed and verified the death of cattle owing to the outbreak of FMD in the area.
He further said that amidst the tireless efforts and struggle by the District Council Administration and the tremendous hardship and grievances of the people caused by FMD outbreak, the senseless statement of Veterinary officials is too discouraging and embarrassing.  
“A punitive action should be initiated by the concerned authority and the state government against the Veterinary officials who confined themselves in their respective office and made a blatant false clarification and statement without knowing the ground reality and without considering the extremely painful situation in the area”, Basnet said.  
Basnet also said that the outbreak of FMD is still spreading in the area inspite of the vaccination of over 1241 cattle in the area by Veterinary Department of SHADC Kangpokpi under the supervision of Dr John Meigai, Veterinary Officer.
The Executive Member also drew the attention of the state government to immediately send a sincere and responsible team in the area to examine the fatal situation so as to take up quick measure to control the disease from further spreading.  
Wakotphai MDC, Seilen Lhoujem  said that not only cow, buffalo, goat and sheep are affected by the disease, there is not a single hen/cock at Wakotphai village now.
Dr. John Meigai said that he personally led a team in Twilang area as instructed on June 9 and confirmed the outbreak of the FMD while witnessing death of a few animals after 1/2 days.
He continued that the death of animals due to the disease began after June 9 and it has been spreading rapidly in the areas.
Dr John said his team provided treatment to the already affected animals and vaccinated other animals as prevention.