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Immunization of Buffaloes against Rinderpest in Assam
in milk yield, in some cases even by one-half. They
recover in the course of a fortnight and mortality
is very rare. Animals of mixed breed (local and
hill types) in this locality are given 0.5 c.c. of vac-
cine and a flat dose of 40 c.c. of ordinary anti-
rinderpest serum simultaneously. The reaction mani-
fested in several cases is mild with slight decrease
in milk yield; a few develop diarrhœa and exhibit
a marked reduction in milk yield. Very rarely, a
few deaths have been reported (maximum mortality,
one per cent); these were probably attributable to
the fact that they were not properly cared for
during the reaction period or to helminthic infesta-
tion.
In the Central Assam Circle, the general procedure
is to vaccinate the buffaloes by using 0.5 c.c. of
vaccine and a flat dose of 20 c.c. of serum. The
animals show moderate reaction with mild clinical
symptoms and slight reduction of milk and recover
in about a fortnight.
Local buffaloes in the Upper Assam Circle are
immunized by injecting 0.5 c.c. of vaccine and 30
to 60 c.c. of serum. Buffaloes of mixed breed,
generally of local and imported types, are given
the same dose of vaccine and 20 to 50 c.c. of serum.
Comparatively, the reaction is more manifest in the
local than in the mixed breed. Rise of temperature
of about 2 to 3°F. may be noted. Reduction in
milk is observed from the fourth or fifth day up to
about two to three weeks. Diarrhœa is noticed in
some cases. In Sibsagar, 487 buffaloes have been
vaccinated since 1939-40. It is of interest to note
that no death was reported in the vaccinated
animals and also there was no outbreak of rinderpest
among them till 1942-43.
In the Surma valley, most of the buffaloes con-
sist of a mixed breed of Manipuri and Bangar and
of pure Manipuri. The following methods of vacci-
nation have been tried :
(i) Dose of 0.5 c.c. of G.T.V. (1 : 200) and 30 to
40 c.c. of ordinary rinderpest serum was given in
actual outbreaks and also for prophylaxis. 190
animals were vaccinated.
(ii) Dose of 0.5 c.c. of G.T.V. alone was used as
a prophylactic measure in 388 buffaloes.
(iii) Dose of 0.25 c.c. of G.T.V. alone was given
as a prophylactic measure in 184 buffaloes.
In the first method the reaction was mild ; the
course was not much prolonged but appeared within
normal limits ; slight reduction in the milk yield
was also noticed. All the vaccinated animals re-
covered satisfactorily. In the second method the
reaction was found to be very severe in about 50
per cent of cases. High temperature, marked re-
duction in milk-yield, diarrhœa and dysentery were
observed. The symptoms were really alarming in
a few cases, and of these three buffaloes died. The
incubation period appeared rather shorter (thermal
reaction occurred on the third day), the course was
prolonged and the convalescence slower. In the
third method there was not much difference
reaction as compared with the second one. The
incubation period was found to be a little longe
(thermal reaction occurred on 4th to 6th day),b
the severity of reaction was almost the same, resul-
ing in two deaths. It would appear that for Ma
puri buffaloes, both pure and mixed, the safe and
effective method of immunization would be to us
0.5 c.c. of vaccine and 30 to 40 c.c. of ordinary
anti-rinderpest serum simultaneously. In the
' vaccine alone ' method, it seems probable that
higher dose of vaccine would tend to reduce the
period of incubation a little. The use of serum-
at least 30 to 40 c.c.—is essential to control seven
reactions which otherwise would entail mortality.
In some cases disturbance in health due to helmi
thic infestation is observed as a result of vaccin
tion, i.e. about 10 to 15 days following vaccination
Diarrhæic motions are passed and there is a rap
fall in condition. Anaemic changes in the blood
and fairly large numbers of ova of Distoma, Amphi
tome, Strongylus, etc., are noticed. Parasitic infest
tion in buffaloes in this province is very comm
and fairly heavy. This is inevitable due to the
climatic and geographical conditions of Assam
Such infestations flare up sometimes following the
reaction of rinderpest vaccination.
DISCUSSION
It will be observed that the method of immuniza
tion of buffaloes against rinderpest in Assam requird
a careful interpretation of the dosage of serum
depending upon the locality and the type of bree
The reason is that the buffaloes possess varying
degrees of susceptibility as they consist of hi
wild or half-wild and imported types and the
crossbred offsprings. It has been found that of
method, say 0.5 c.c. of vaccine alone, however
satisfactory in a particular locality, turns out to
a highly risky one in another area. Mention shou
also be made of some cases in which the reaction
uncertain. Hence, for immunization of buffaloes
with goat tissue vaccine, it is now considered esse
tial that a dose of serum be given to ward off at
likelihood of risk.
A perusal of the reports of the provinces an
states in India indicates that virus-cum-serum
method is efficacious in the immunization of buffaloes
In several provinces goat tissue virus is used with
serum simultaneously, while in Mysore the method
of goat blood virus with serum is preferred. [Acha
1941]. However, in some areas in the Punjab
it is reported that buffaloes are vaccinated w
goat tissue virus alone without untoward result
[Chowdhury, 1941].
Reduction in milk-yield is perhaps one of the
most disturbing consequences of vaccination, causing