Haemorrhagic septicaemia (gal ghotu / HS)
The classic monsoon killer of Indian buffalo — an animal well in the morning can be dead by night, and by then several others in the herd are already sick.
- Cause
- Pasteurella multocida
- Peak season
- Onset of monsoon
- Course
- 6–48 hours, often fatal
- Control
- Vaccinate before the rains
Overview
HS is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, which many healthy cattle and buffalo carry harmlessly in the throat. Stress — the first heavy rains, waterlogging, a long journey, sudden feed change, hard work in heat and humidity — lets the bacterium multiply and invade the bloodstream, causing overwhelming, rapidly fatal blood poisoning.
Onset is sudden: very high fever (41–42 °C), dullness, stopped rumination, and a hot, painful, spreading swelling under the jaw that moves down the throat and brisket. As the throat swells the animal breathes with a loud grunt or snore, drools, and stands with its neck stretched out. Death usually follows in 6–48 hours.
The disease travels through a herd fast because sick animals shed huge numbers of bacteria in saliva and nasal discharge that contaminate shared feed and water. It is almost entirely preventable with one vaccination given every year before the monsoon — the single most important shot on the buffalo-keeper’s calendar.
This is a general guide, not a substitute for a veterinarian. Always call a vet for diagnosis, dosage and treatment of a sick animal.
Signs to look for
- Sudden very high fever, complete loss of appetite and rumination, and rapid dullness.
- A hot, painful, doughy swelling starting under the jaw, spreading to the throat, dewlap and brisket.
- Laboured breathing with a distinct grunt or snoring sound; neck held stretched out and low.
- Profuse salivation and watery discharge from the eyes and nose.
- Sometimes bloody diarrhoea; the animal goes down, and death follows quickly.
- In a herd, two or more sudden deaths within a few days during the rains — treat as HS until a vet says otherwise.
What triggers an outbreak
- The first heavy rains and waterlogged, muddy sheds and grazing.
- Transport stress and mixing of animals — fairs, markets, new purchases.
- Heavy draught work in hot, humid weather without rest and water.
- Sudden change of feed, or a spell of poor feeding that lowers resistance.
- A carrier animal introduced into a herd that has never been vaccinated.
Vaccination
- Give the HS vaccine (oil-adjuvant or alum-precipitated) once a year, 3–4 weeks before the monsoon normally starts in your area.
- The oil-adjuvant vaccine gives about a year of protection; the alum-precipitated type protects for roughly 6 months, so a second dose may be needed in high-risk, long-monsoon zones.
- Vaccinate calves from 6 months of age; in endemic pockets a first dose at 3 months with a booster is advised.
- Vaccinate the whole village herd together and keep a record of the date.
- In the face of an outbreak, a vet may vaccinate healthy in-contact animals immediately alongside antibiotic cover.
If an animal falls sick
- Call a veterinarian immediately — early antibiotic treatment (sulphonamides or antibiotics such as oxytetracycline) can save an animal caught in the first few hours.
- Report the outbreak to the veterinary department — HS is notifiable.
- Isolate every sick animal from the herd at once; stop shared feeding and watering.
- Move healthy animals to dry, high ground away from the affected shed.
- Do not slaughter or open a dead animal in the open — bury it deep with lime, or burn it, to stop soil and water contamination.
- Disinfect the shed, troughs and tools with a phenolic disinfectant or bleaching-powder solution.
Animals affected
Open an enterprise page for its full feeding, breed and vaccination-calendar guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why does HS hit buffalo harder than cattle?
Buffalo are simply more susceptible to Pasteurella multocida and tend to develop the acute, fatal form. Cattle can get it too, but buffalo are the animal that dies in numbers, which is why the pre-monsoon HS shot is treated as essential for every buffalo herd.
An animal died suddenly in the rains. Can I use the meat?
No. Do not slaughter, skin or eat an animal that has died suddenly with a throat swelling in the monsoon. Bury the carcass deep with lime or burn it. Handling or opening it spreads the bacteria into the soil and water where they can survive and seed the next outbreak.
Can HS spread to people?
Ordinary handling is low risk, but Pasteurella can infect wounds, so wear gloves if you must handle a sick or dead animal and wash well afterwards. The real reason for care is to avoid spreading the bacteria around the farm, not personal illness.
My herd is vaccinated every year. Do I still need to worry in the monsoon?
Annual vaccination on time, before the rains, gives strong protection and you can be reasonably relaxed. Stay alert if you buy in new animals (vaccinate them before mixing), if the monsoon is unusually long (a mid-season booster may help in bad zones), or if the cold chain for the vaccine was doubtful.
Signs, prevention and treatment follow ICAR, DAHD and state veterinary-university practice; vaccine schedules are the commonly notified ones and may vary by region or outbreak status. Always confirm with a veterinarian before treating an animal. editorial policy.