Sankhuwasabha, Dec 17:

Dozens of cattle have been dying of a mysterious disease in Wards No 4 and 5 of Pawakhola VDC in the district. According to the locals, the outbreak started in mid-October.

Sonamaya Rai of Silpat in Pawakhola VDC-5 said the disease had already claimed over 150 cattle, including 10 of her cows, of which six were lactating.

The disease has also killed four cows, including their calves, of Silpat’s Dik Bahadur Rai and Ram Bahadur Rai. The disease also claimed three bullocks of Bhakta Bahadur Rai.

“Over 60 cattle belonging to 20 households in Pawakhola and Silpat have died of the unknown disease,” Dik Bahadur Rai said. The cowsheds of Lok Bahadur Tamang and Kabiraj Rai have been without a cattle after Tamang’s five lactating cows, including their calves, and Rai’s two lactating cows and a bullock died.

Locals said the cattle fell sick in the evening and died with swollen stomach in the morning. They also accused the local veterinary office of doing nothing to contain the spread of the disease.

However, a technician at the District Veterinary Office, Himal Pokharel, said the office could not identify the disease because they had not been informed about the symptoms of the disease.