Outbreak of  Malignant Disease Claims Lives of Livestock in Azad Kashmir’s Jhelum Valley

HATTIAN BALA: In the villages of Nalai, Gandigaran, and Hotiri in Union Council Pahal of the Jhelum Valley district in Azad Kashmir, a distressing outbreak of muzziness has resulted in the deaths of eleven animals.

Among the casualties were five buffaloes, one water buffalo, four cows, and one bull. The affected villagers, including Muhammad Qasim, Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Salim, Muhammad Hanif, Sarfraz Awan, Sher Muhammad, Sherzaman, and Muhammad Basharat Awan, have suffered significant losses.

Despite repeated pleas to the Animal Affairs Department of Jhelum Valley for preventive measures and vaccinations, their response has been inadequate, leaving the local community in dismay. The locals have been advised to feed black salt to the animals, but sadly, this has not proven effective in curing the disease, leading to the animals’ untimely demise within twelve to thirty-six hours of falling ill.

Expressing grave concern over the negligence of the Animal Affairs Department, former District Council candidate Chaudhry Waheedul Hasan and Union Council Member Chaudhry Nizakat Hussain have called upon the Prime Minister, the Minister of Animal Affairs, and the Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir to intervene immediately. They demand urgent measures to safeguard the remaining livestock and prevent further losses, including sending a lab team and senior doctors to assess the situation and provide necessary assistance.

Furthermore, there are apprehensions among residents of other areas in the Jhelum Valley regarding the potential sale of sick animals to butchers in the markets, which could pose a threat to human health. They urge the Deputy Commissioner of Jhelum Valley to promptly address this issue to protect citizens from any harm.