Kanpur: A mysterious illness has claimed the lives of 37 Jamunapari goats over the past month at the Bhadawari Buffalo and Jamunapari Goat Breeding Centre in Etawah, triggering concern among the animal husbandry department as laboratory tests have failed to identify the cause of the deaths.Samples sent to the Mathura Research Centre and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, tested negative for any specific virus or infectious disease, leaving scientists searching for answers.The deaths included male and female goats as well as their offspring. While postmortem examinations indicated the possibility of Mycoplasma infection and other respiratory ailments, laboratory investigations could not confirm any virus or infectious agent.Joint director Dr DK Mishra said that in March, the breeding centre procured 110 Jamunapari goats — 50 female and five male goats from an animal fair in Auraiya, and another 50 female and five male goats from a fair in Etawah. All the animals were kept in quarantine for 21 days and were introduced into the main herd only after being declared healthy.According to Dr Mishra, several goats began showing symptoms of respiratory distress, persistent coughing and severe lung-related complications in June. The condition spread rapidly, resulting in the death of 37 goats within a month.As the deaths mounted, samples from sick and deceased animals were sent to the Mathura Research Centre and IVRI, Bareilly. However, neither laboratory confirmed the presence of any specific virus or infectious disease. The breeding centre currently houses 114 goats and their offspring. Five female goats are still unwell and have been isolated for treatment to prevent any possible spread of infection. Officials have intensified surveillance, and the health of the remaining animals is being closely monitored.Jamunapari goats are highly valued in India and countries such as Vietnam, Japan and Bangladesh for their milk and meat.
