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Traces of Anthrax found on Aussie sheep
KARACHI: The Department of Livestock Sindh has said that evidence has been gathered that points to the dead Australian sheep's being affected by the deadly Anthrax infection.
The day-to-day developments in connection with the Australian sheep's import to Pakistan continue to give a new twist to the story.
Only yesterday, the discovery of thousands of these sheep from a private compound in Malir District had raised new questions. Out of these, six were found dead with bleeding mouths. This is not it. More dead sheep were also discovered buried under ground and these had mouths infested with parasites.
Now a fresh disclosure hints at the dead sheep's being infected by the deadly Anthrax virus. Originally, it was believed that the sheep suffered from scabby mouth disease.
Due to the possible presence of Anthrax, the Department of Livestock has refused to get the post-mortem done on the dead sheep. The reason is clear. The deadly Anthrax virus can even kill the staff carrying out the post-mortem of the sheep.
Director Department of Livestock, Nazir Kalhoro has said that after the evidence hinting at presence of Anthrax, arrangements are now geing made to burry these sheep with the help of machines. Only those dead sheep will be put through post-mortem which had not contracted Anthrax, he added.
Meanwhile, as many as 1800 samples from the sheep have been sent for tests to the Livestock laboratories in Tando Jam, Karachi and Islamabad.
According to sources, the company that had imported the sheep has been served a letter in which it has been directed to prove the Anthrax claims of the investigation team wrong or get ready for a legal action.
Courtesy www.geo.tv