Karnah, Jan 16 (KNS) A suspected outbreak of Black Quarter (BQ) disease among livestock has triggered concern in the border sub-division of Karnah in Jammu and Kashmir, with residents alleging prolonged unavailability of vaccines and shortage of veterinary staff.
Locals said several cases of the highly fatal bacterial disease have been reported over the past few weeks. At least six livestock deaths were reported from Upper Jabri village, while two animals reportedly died in Kandi, causing losses to families dependent on animal husbandry for livelihood.
Affected livestock owners alleged that officials of the Veterinary Department informed them that the Black Quarter vaccine has not been available for years, leaving animals exposed to preventable infections.
Black Quarter is considered a controllable disease if timely vaccination is carried out.
Residents further claimed that the situation has been compounded by an acute shortage of veterinary staff in the Karnah sub-division, leading to delayed response and inadequate surveillance during disease outbreaks.
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In several remote villages, they alleged, there is no regular veterinary presence.
Experts warned that Black Quarter spreads rapidly and, in the absence of immediate preventive measures, could spread to neighbouring villages, posing a risk to a large number of animals.
Villagers have urged the district administration and the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department to ensure the immediate availability of vaccines, deploy adequate veterinary personnel and organise vaccination and awareness camps in vulnerable areas.
They cautioned that failure to address the issue could adversely impact the rural economy of the border area, where livestock rearing remains a key source of income.(KNS).