Over 100 cows died of foot-and-mouth disease and more 1,500 have been affected in Joypurhat's Kalai upazila during the last seven days, much to the worry of cattle farmers.  

The disease is spreading fast this season, Mehedul Islam of Hajipara village in the upazila said, adding that two of his cows have already died after getting infected with the deadly disease within a span of four days. 

With the fast rise of the infection, most farmers in the area are facing immense problem to prepare their lands for the Aman season, said Jobayer Ali of Himail village. He lost six of his ten cows to the disease.

The dairy farm owners are also worried due to the fast spread of the disease. 

Dairy farmer Safat Ali of Bhaujharpata village said he lost his three cows in the last seven days. Besides, three more have been infected. 

Symptom of the disease first appears in the form of fever, said farm owners, farmers and doctors. After two or three days, the animal is affected by foot-and-mouth disease and refrains from taking food. It dies within 10 to 15 days

Doctors said vaccination is the only treatment. 

Monaim Hossain of Kazipara village said two of his five cows have already died while two others are infected with the disease. “Ploughing of my land is being hampered badly,” said the farmer. 

Local livestock officials don't cooperate when the farmers and diary farmers contact with the officials, alleged farmers. 

Meherul Islam of Hazipara said a total of 19 cows of their village died of the disease in the last seven days. 

Dr Md Jahrul Islam, livestock officer in Kalai upazila, said his office has already started working to prevent the disease from breaking out in epidemic form. The allegation of non-cooperation against them is not true, he said.