Paradip, May 22: A mysterious disease has claimed lives of over 100 cattle in Balikuda, Erasama and Kujang blocks of Jagatsinghpur district.

Vacancy in the posts of veterinary surgeon and livestock inspector has aggravated the situation further because of lack of health check of the affected cattle.

The disease has assumed epidemic proportions at villages such as Goda, Birakishorepur, Kadalibari, Anuri, Olara, Kantilo and Bhajakhia with a majority of cattle death reported from the areas, leaving the cattle farmers in dire straits.

“The worst-affected villages such as Goda, Birakishorepur, Kadalibari and Anuri have livestock centres. But, these centres are unmanned. Posts of livestock inspectors are vacant in these places since past one year,” said Goda sarpanch Pratap Sahu.

“The mobile veterinary units have rushed to the affected villages. The diseased cattle, including bullocks and buffaloes, are being vaccinated. The cattle probably have come under the grip of some virus-borne disease. The animals’ blood samples have been sent to Bhubaneswar-based animal disease and research laboratory,” said Premananda Rout, chief district veterinary officer, Jagatsinghpur.

Veterinary experts, who had rushed to the villages, said the animals had come under the grip of suspected foot and mouth disease.

“The air-borne viral disease is spreading fast. A majority of cattle has got infected. Incidentally, farmers have stayed away from rearing cows at the village,” said a veterinary surgeon.