India, Jan. 23 -- Locals blame officials for not acting on time, worried about livelihood

Around 40 buffaloes have died within four days due to suspected Sahana disease (hemorrhagic septicemia) in a number of villages located in the Garadapur block of Odisha's Kendrapara.

"The disease is currently confined to five villages under the Garadapur block," Prasanna Kumar Patnaik, the chief district veterinary officer of Kendrapada, said.

"The people of the affected villages have been instructed to keep away from the dead animals and inform officials. If they must handle the carcasses, they should cover their hands with gloves. They have also told to bury the dead animals in deep holes to prevent the spread of the disease," he added.

The vil...