FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 1911.
5
were ignorant of the nature of the disease, and as its increase gave rise to
considerable anxiety they were, contrary to the usual attitude of the people in
other parts of the Province, eager to adopt any measures for its suppression.
The rules regarding segregation, etc., were most carefully carried out, but the
disease, probably aided by biting flies, which were numerous, continued. Eight
hundred and twenty animals are reported to have died in this outbreak up to the
end of March. The district has been visited by both Superintendents. The
mortality has been very great, but in May disease seemed to be on the decline.
Foot-and-mouth disease was severe in the Thatôn District only, chiefly in
Thatôn and Pa-an Townships. In the former 313 deaths and in the latter 251
are reported during the year.
Veterinary Inspector, 1.
Veterinary Assistants, 12.—Amherst 3, Tavoy 1, Mergui 1,Thatôn4 and
Toungoo 3.
Special duty 2.—Salween.
Outbreaks attended, 170.
Total number of deaths from contagious diseases, 5,075.
Upper Burma.
Table II.
7. Amongst Upper Burma Districts, Minbu, Myitkyina, Myingyan, Mandalay,
Ruby Mines, Yamèthin and Bhamo suffered most from rinderpest during the year.
Anthrax was not severe in any district, while except in the Sinlunkaba Subdivision
of the Bhamo District, where it caused the loss of some 400 cattle, foot-and-mouth
disease did not prevail to any great extent. With regard to rinderpest Minbu
suffered the heaviest losses, altogether 4,027 deaths having occurred. The disease
broke out in Minbu and spread to Sagu Township. From this it was carried through
grazing grounds to the cattle of Pwinbyu. From Yenangyaung it was introduced
into the northern part of the district and eventually the whole district suffered.
Veterinary Assistants were kept busy, and their work is highly commended by the
Deputy Commissioner.
The Assistant at Minbu attended 54 outbreaks, the
Salin Assistant 127, and an Assistant posted in August attended 21. In con-
nection with the outbreak the Deputy Commissioner remarks, " A larger staff of
Veterinary Assistants at such times is absolutely necessary, and a local
Superintendent should be appointed to supervise their work."
In the Myitkyina District it broke out at Nayinbya village in the Mogaung
Subdivision and subsequently spread to the neighbouring villages of Hopin,
Tagwan, Nansun, Allanbo and Ywathitgyi, from whence it was carried to the
Kamaing Subdivision in which the greatest mortality occurred. As was the case
in the Mogaung outbreak last year, the villagers in this subdivision are reported
to have been ignorant of the nature of the disease, and were in consequence
apathetic both as to reporting cases and taking proper measures. The
Subdivisional Officer and Township Officer visited all affected areas and
everything was done to stamp it out as soon as possible, with an apparent
measure of success. Village patrols were organised in order to prevent disease
spreading, segregation camps were formed in every village, and Thugyis and
villagers were punished for disobedience of the cattle disease rules.
Kamaing Subdivision lost 1,079 head of cattle and Mogaung 884. The
Deputy Commissioner states that the effect on agriculture of the large mortality
in cattle has been considerable. The Thathameda tax has been remitted to the
extent of over Rs. 2,000 and there has been a falling off in land revenue.
In the Mandalay District four outbreaks of rinderpest occurred during
the year, viz., in the Patheingyi, Amarapura, Madaya and Maymyo Townships.
Mr. Branford attended the first-named outbreak, and serum injection was carried
out by him later on at Amarapura and Madaya
Owing to shortness of staff it was
impossible to carry out serum injection at Maymyo although cattle owners were
reported to be willing to have their cattle done. In the Myingyan District,
Myingyan and Kyaukpadaung Subdivisions suffered most during the year; milder
outbreaks were also reported from Satthwa, Magwe District, and Momeik State of
the Ruby Mines District.