More than 20 cows have died of an unknown disease so far in various villages of Umarkote block in Nabarangpur district.

Sources said the unknown desease has already spread to some cut-off areas; so it is feared that the death toll might have crossed 50.

The incident has created panic among the dairy farmers in the region. Sadly, the Department of Animal Husbandry has not yet been able to identify the disease.

Meanwhile, a scientific team from the Animal Husbandry Department went to various villages and collected blood samples from the cows. The disease has spread widely in Nehura panchayat under Umerkote block. The disease causes the cows to tremble; their throats and stomachs swell. Within a day, the infected cows die.

As per information, more than 15 cows have died in Badgaon, Baunsabeda and Butengaguda in Nehura panchayat under Umerkote block. Some villagers of Baunsabeda said at least nine cows belonging to Devi Singh Bhatra, Lobo Paiko and Giridhar Paiko of village Baunsabeda have died within four days. Carcasses of cows are found in many places of Nehura panchayat, said Nehura sarpanch Urmila Bhatra.

She demanded the administration to do the needful immediately.

On the other hand, the local tribal people have been seen worshiping to some deity to eradicate the disease.

Contacted, block vetenary officer Prakash Chandra Mohanty said many cows had already been vaccinated. Necessary steps have been taken to stop further spread of the disease and death of cows, Mohanty added.