Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Effective cattle insurance to contain Anthrax mooted

VISAKHAPATNAM: Even as the medical and health authorities battle to contain cutaneous Anthrax in the tribal areas of the district that border Orissa, one of the root causes for the spread of anthrax can be effectively checked by introducing an insurance scheme for cattle.

Tribals, who buy each cattle spending anywhere between Rs. 5,000 to Rs.10,000, are financially hit by their death. To recover the loss partially, they cut the animal and sell the meat.

Tribals contact cutaneous anthrax at the time of flaying them. At least one sample of blood from a spot where the animal was flayed proved positive for anthrax.

As many as 75 persons have been affected by the disease since March 15 when the first case came to light. While officials admit three deaths unofficial figures put it at 11.

Tribal representatives contend that instead of spending huge amount on treatment of the Anthrax-afflicted, compensation should be paid to animals to prevent selling their meat.

To find a lasting solution, an insurance scheme on the lines of the one being successfully implemented in Vizianagaram district is suggested.

Animal Husbandry Joint Director Y. Simhachalam said 50,000 animals were insured by Indira Krantipatham, the self-help group network, through village organisations in 2007-08 and 538 claims settled in that district. For each animal, 4 per cent of the purchase cost of the animal is paid towards insurance and in case of death the full amount is compensated.

Earlier attempts at insurance saw poor claim settlement. Of the 1,400 cattle insured by IKP in 2006 in Paderu revenue division, 28 died and only two claims were settled.

To plug loopholes, all the cattle should be insured and not selectively, he suggests.

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