6
Haemorrhagic Septicaemia.—This disease prevailed in a widespread out-
break affecting specially the districts of Burdwan, Midnapore, 24-Parganas
and part of Murshidabad. The total number of outbreaks received was 115
and the number of deaths therefrom was 951. The total number of villages
affected was 160. Mobilising the Emergency Staff of the Field Section and
Itinerant Veterinary Assistant Surgeons with vaccinators, control was
effected with all promptitude. The total number of inoculation undertaken
against the disease was 32,898 during the year.
Blackquarter.—In all there were 21 outbreaks of this disease during the
year. The total number of deaths was 101. To control these outbreaks all
necessary actions were taken promptly and 3,985 animals were protected
against the disease (vide Table III).
Foot and Mouth Disease.—This disease made its appearance in several
districts of the province causing 217 deaths only during the year under
review. The staff of this department took prompt steps to control them.
Anthrax.—Reports of sporadic outbreak of Anthrax were received from
the districts of 24-Parganas, Midnapore and Burdwan. There were 23
outbreaks with a toll of 222 during the year under report. Prophylactic
measures were adopted with Anti-Anthrax Serum and 7,629 animals were
protected against the disease.
Parasitic Disease.—During the year under review sporadic outbreaks
of Parasitic Infestation were detected in the districts of Burdwan, Midna-
pore and other districts. Table II will show the number of deaths. Cattle
death due to this cause was 1,400 which is an appreciable number in com-
parison with the death reports of 6 months of the previous year.
Scheduled Diseases in Bovine.
Surra.—During the year under report 31 cattle and 17 buffaloes died of
the malady in the districts of Midnapore, Bankura and Murshidabad.
These cases were practically sporadic in nature. Diagnosis in all cases was
confirmed by microscopical examination of their blood.
Disease of Poultry.—A separate Poultry Disease Section with an officer
assisted by 3 Field Assistants was in action to control outbreaks amongst
poultry.
During the year under review 8 outbreaks of Fowl Cholera, 16 outbreaks
of Ranikhet Disease and 9 outbreaks of Fowl Pox were received and 2,578.
6,527 and 1,444 poultry were protected against the respective disease men-
tioned above. Besides prophylactic measures in a mass scale were under-
taken to protect 15,115 against Fowl Pox, 10,933 against Ranikhet Disease
and 1,600 against Fowl Cholera. Prophylactic measures in mass scale was
undertaken in the Government Poultry Farms of West Bengal and in the
districts of Birbhum, Midnapore, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Berhampore and Nadia
districts to stop the occurrence of outbreaks of the three main diseases,
those carry away a good number of poultry every year.
The Assistant Disease Investigation Officer (Poultry) carried out
specialised investigation of specific diseases amongst poultry. He also
helped to examine the specimen sent from districts to diagnose the causes
of death. A perusal of the Annual Report of this officer will reveal the
details of his work done during the year (Annexure II).
The Poultry Section is highly under-staffed to meet the demand of the
Province. The work had to be managed by deputation of the District Staff
for Poultry work in cases where the outbreak was acute and extensive in
nature.