The Central Livestock Disease Research Laboratory on Friday confirmed that the deaths of 44 cattle in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was not due to Anthrax. The animals were found dead in the Sunsari-based reserve’s buffer zone areas in the first week of August.

Anthrax is a highly infectious bacterial disease found in cattle, and is also transmissible to humans. Anthrax-infected animals die within a few hours of getting infected, veterinarians say.

Last week, the regional laboratory at Biratnagar, after an examination of the dead cattle, had stated that soil-borne Anthrax viruses were found in the animals.

“We detected no virus of anthrax during the inspection of the cattle’s blood samples, as was previously suspected,” said Dr Pragya Koirala, a veterinary surgeon at the laboratory. “Some other causes are behind the deaths. We will find out the exact cause after we get the postmortem results.”

For now, the lab has ruled out the presence of Anthrax virus in the dead cattle.

Koirala further said that the cause of the deaths could also likely be associated with the cattle’s habitat.

“We will also check the mud, grass and atmosphere of the dead cattle’s grazing space,” said Koirala.

Dr Manoj Kumar Mahto of the Inaruwa-based Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Centre said that the previous detection of Anthrax viruses in the dead cattle might have to do with the lack of advanced techniques used during the inspection.

“We have to go by the report of the central lab,” Mahto said. “Locals should rest their fears about anthrax now.”