Outbreak Investigation of Hemorrhagic Septicemia in Water Buffalo on Meghna River Island, Bhola, Bangladesh

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Field Disease Investigation Laboratory, Department of Livestock Services, Barishal, Bangladesh.

2 Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science & Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh.

3 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh.

4 Upazila Livestock Office, Department of Livestock Services, Bhola, Bangladesh.

5 Grameen Gano Unnayan Sangstha (GJUS), Bhola, Bangladesh.

6 Central Disease Investigation Laboratory, Department of Livestock Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

10.32598/ijvm.20.1.1005792

Abstract

Background: Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS), caused by Pasteurella multocida serotype B:2, is a fatal bacterial disease of water buffaloes, particularly threatening in ecologically vulnerable coastal regions such as Bhola, Bangladesh. 
Objectives: This study reports an HS outbreak on Meghna River Island from March 17 to April 6, 2023, focusing on epidemiological patterns, clinical manifestations, and molecular diagnostics.  
Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study that was conducted on a herd of buffaloes on a farm in Vabanipur Char (Island), Bangladesh, that exhibited sudden illness characterized by high fever, respiratory distress, and lethargy. Among 200 buffaloes, 51 developed clinical signs and 19 died. During the field visits, blood samples were collected from four clinically affected live buffaloes for bacteriological analysis. Additionally, three blood and three lung tissue samples were obtained from the deceased animals for comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
Results: The outbreak exhibited a morbidity rate of 25.5%, a mortality rate of 9.5%, and a case fatality rate of 37.3%. Males showed 100% morbidity, whereas females had the highest case fatality rate (46.7%). Predominant clinical signs included high fever, respiratory distress, bloat, and swallowing difficulties—strongly associated with fatal outcomes. Postmortem findings revealed marked subcutaneous edema and visceral organ congestion. Molecular detection using quantitative real-time PCR targeting the Kmt1 gene confirmed P. multocida in all tested samples.  
Conclusion: The findings underscore the impact of climatic stressors on HS emergence and highlight the urgent need for robust vaccination programs, timely diagnosis, and effective disease surveillance systems in coastal livestock populations. Future studies should focus on genetic characterization and long-term control strategies in climate-sensitive zones.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume 20, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 67-76

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics