To prevent leptospirosis cases prevalent among cows during monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) this year has decided to send notices to cattle sheds in the city asking them to take a
To prevent leptospirosis cases prevalent among cows during monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) this year has decided to send notices to cattle sheds in the city asking them to take adequate precautionary measures to arrest the spread of the disease. The decision has been taken on the backdrop of several instances of leptospirosis cases linked to infected cows last year.
“We have asked the cattle shed owners to treat their cattle from veterinary doctors so that they do not excrete leptospira bacteria which causes the infection. They also have to produce a certificate from these doctors of treating these animals,” said Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, BMC.
The civic body has also asked the cattle shed owners to dispose off the excreta of cattle properly and take appropriate cleanliness measures in their cattle sheds. A 2011 survey showed there were 31,000 cattle in approximately 1,600 cattle sheds in Mumbai. According to the civic officials, the BMC has already sent notices to over 500 cattle sheds in the Western Suburbs. In the second phase of action, it will initiate shutting down these sheds immediately, if they do not comply with BMC health norms.
Leptospirosis is caused when people come in contact with water contaminated by animal urine. Various domestic and wild animals such as rats, cows and dogs, carry the bacteria. People wading through waterlogged streets have high chances of contracting the disease, if they have wounds on their feet.
However, in a study carried out by civic officials, it was found that the disease was also spread from the excreta of big animals. They claimed that the cattle sheds dispose off cattle excreta directly into the city nullahs, which leads to water getting polluted. Last year, there was a sudden surge in leptospirosis cases in the city with 17 deaths reported.
“We will again inspect the cattle sheds to find out whether they have complied with norms before taking action,” said additional municipal commissioner I.S. Kundan.
