TELUK INTAN, Feb 16 – Livestock farm owners must comply with the Veterinary Department’s directive in dealing with Brusella Abortus which causes the infected cattle to suffer miscarriage, sterility and can lead to death. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman warned errant livestock farm owners of legal action by the Veterinary Department.
“Cattle infected by the bacteria, whether local or imported, must be quarantined to prevent it from spreading and for vaccination by the Veterinary Department. After this (cattle is free of disease), the cattle can be sent to the places intended for slaughter and so on,” he told reporters after presenting the 1Malaysia schooling assistance in Chenderong Balai, here.
Three cases of Brusella Abortus have been detected in Negri Sembilan involving imported cattle which later spread the disease to local cattle. The disease can also infect humans if exposed to the infected cattle. Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had gazetted the state as an outbreak area under the Animals Act 1953. It was to allow the Veterinary Department to inspect all farms to curb the spread of the disease and to facilitate payment of compensation to the farmers. — Bernama
