Delayed vaccination cause for mass cattle death

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka's State Veterinary Surgeons' Association says the delay in administering the vaccine for the Foot and mouth disease was the reason for the mass death of cattle in Batticaloa and surrounding areas.

Speaking to reporters the Chairman of the Association Dr Sisira Piyathissa said that the government must pay close attention to devel the dairy and livestock industries in the country.

A large number of cattle diagnosed with the Foot and mouth disease was discovered in the Siththandi and Alayakkuda villages in the Batticaloa District.

Farmers said hundreds of cattle had died of the Foot and mouth disease.

Due to the rapid spread of Foot and mouth disease in the Batticaloa District, a vaccination drive was launched.