Threat of diseases in S Gujarat zoos

The department has geared up to prevent outbreak and check spread of other diseases due to death of animals in floods. Teams of veterinary doctors have been sent to affected areas for vaccination.

Officials said that occurrence of Haemorragic Septiceamia (HS) — a deadly disease — was highly possible in animals. During 1997-98, about 658 animals died of the disease before the floods.

Anthrax is another possible disease, which has zoonotic symptoms also. This disease showed its symptoms in Bharuch district, before the floods and Bharuch district collector had issued a notification to bury the dead infected animals without opening them because it spreads when the infected animal is opened.

The department has also started control rooms to give information about their efforts to prevent the outbreak of disease.

On their efforts to shift animals before floods, officials said that no efforts was needed because they did not drown in floods. Interestingly, they said that the animals return to their respective homes sometimes even after weeks. They said that animals would die only when kept tied, otherwise they could swim for a week also.

When there are rumours that outbreak of plague is possible in flood affected areas of South Gujarat, Health Minister Ashok Bhatt as well as the department has strongly denied any such report.

The relief work for animals in the state started on Saturday. When asked why was action initiated so late, they said the government’s first priority was saving human lives and therefore once waters receded, the relief work for animals starts.

Other possible zoonotic disease possible after the floods are rabies, tuberculosis, brucellosis and pullorum. Pullorum is seen in birds and can spread through eggs and chicken of infected birds.