Hirekop Rajan Samuel

Belagavi, 21 Nov

Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS), the bacterial infection that recently killed 31 blackbucks at the Kittur Rani Chennamma Mini Zoo in Bhutaramanahatti, has now spread to domestic livestock in adjoining areas, killing at least seven cattle in Kakati and Yamakkanamaradi villages.

Lumps had developed on the bodies of the infected animals, and samples have been sent to laboratories for confirmation, the Animal Husbandry Department in Belagavi said. Assistant Director (AD) Anand Patil said the exact cause of death would be verified once test results arrive. “We have taken rapid measures to prevent further spread of the infection to other livestock,” he said.

However, farmers allege that despite raising concerns, officials failed to respond promptly. Narayan Patil from Kakati, where four cattle died, claimed that even after they reported the appearance of lumps on their animals, no staff visited the village.

“We informed the department as soon as symptoms appeared, but no action was taken,” he alleged. Patil denied the accusations, asserting that rapid-response veterinary teams had attended to the affected livestock.

The National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics has already issued an alert warning of a possible HS outbreak in Belagavi. Forest Department authorities have also written to the Husbandry Department, but villagers say no preventive measures were implemented in time.

Belagavi Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Nagaraj Balhasuri stated that the zoo premises and surrounding areas have been disinfected.

Meanwhile, the remaining seven blackbucks at the mini zoo are reported to be recovering.