Provincial Veterinarian Silvino Teodosio, in a status report submitted to the office of Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr., said that as of July 16, 2010, fourteen animal deaths were reported in Leon, Iloilo. Adjacent municipalities also reported cases of hemorrhagic septicemia but details are still lacking.

PVO added that other than the reported cases there are also mortalities that are not reported to the concerned municipal agriculture officer (MAO).

Teodosio assured that quarantine measures were already put in place particularly in Leon, Iloilo but still they need vaccines for both prevention and control.

Hemorrhagic septicemia is a bacterial disease affecting cattles and carabaos as a result of various stresses such as change of weather conditions, overwork and malnutrition.

The disease, however, can be prevented through vaccination.

Occurrence of the disease in the province was first reported as early as May 10, 2010.

PVO observed that farmers prefer to sell their sick animals instead of subjecting them to treatment.

To prevent the disease, PVO urged farmers to provide shed to their animals during heavy rains and during night time.

It also recommended to farmers to subject their animals to treatment because the disease is curable at its early stage. (Capitol News)