Probe after eight cows die at farm

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18: A farm has been sealed off after the mystery death of eight cows in just three days.

Now environmental -protection watchdogs are checking cattle across the island to see if any more have become sick or died.

Farmer Harry Kromer, who runs Devonshire’s Belhaven Farm, where the cows died, said last night he had no idea what killed them.

“We are cooperating fully with the Government,” he told us “we alerted them to this.”

Quarantine

The Department of Environmental Protection has quarantined the area while tests are carried out to determine the cause of death.

A spokeswoman for the department said: “Tissue samples, along with samples of soil, hay, faeces and feed have been -collected and contact is being made overseas to have the samples analysed.

“Special permits are required to send samples into the United States, which are currently pending approval.”

She added: “Until the cause of death is determined, precautions are being taken to ensure that if there is a disease involved, it is not spread.”

The deaths have been investigated by private vet Dr Dane Coombs and Government’s veterinarian Dr Jonathan Nisbett has also been involved in the probe.

Dr Coombs said: “I haven’t seen anything similar in Bermuda. This is a first for me. I haven’t seen deaths in these types of numbers so quickly here.”

He added that tests would have to be carried out to determine the cause of deaths.

The cows were “dry cows” — which were not producing milk at the time of their deaths.

The spokeswoman said: “Therefore, there is no direct danger to the local milk supply as the cows at the Belhaven site were not being milked.

“These animals were also not scheduled for slaughter so there is no possibility that there has been human consumption of this meat.

“Staff from the Department of Environmental Protection are currently visiting other farms across the island to ensure that the illness has not spread, but so far they believe it has been confined to this single site.

“Steps have been taken to quarantine this farm and no animals have been permitted to enter or leave the farm.

“Officials are taking special precautions when entering and leaving the premises to ensure that there is no cross-contamination between farms.”

The Government spokeswoman added that the Department of Health, the island’s chief medical officer and the US Department of Agriculture had all been briefed on the deaths.

THURSDAY, NOV. 17: The Department of Environmental Protection would like to inform the public that, as of 4pm today, November 17, eight cows have died over the past three days at the Belhaven farm in Devonshire.

The problem was first reported by a nearby resident.  Since the case was first attended to by private Veterinarian Dr. Dane Coombs, the Government Veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Nisbett has also been called on to assist. 

The carcasses of dead animals are being carefully and safely disposed of. 

Tissue samples along with samples of soil, hay, faeces and feed have been collected and contact is being made overseas to have the samples analyzed.

Special permits are required to send samples into the United States which are currently pending approval.

All relevant authorities have been informed, including the Environmental Health Section of the Department of Health, the island’s Chief Medical Officer, and the US Department of Agriculture.

Staff from the Department of Environmental Protection are currently visiting other farms across the island to ensure the illness has not spread but so far believe it has been confined to this single site. Steps have been taken to quarantine this farm and no animals have been permitted to enter or leave the farm. Officials are taking special precautions when entering and leaving the premises to ensure there is no cross-contamination between farms.