Cows at the Sri Venkesteswara Gosamrakshana Sala in Tirupati, which is run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), are reportedly plagued with a highly contagious disease, and have been kept in isolation.
Reporting for the Times of India, Syed Akbar states that around a dozen cows have been diagnosed with Brucellosis, which occurs when a certain type of bacteria infected animals.
While the disease is also known to affect humans, a particular strain of this bacteria is known to severely affect cattle, causing abortions, body pains and arthritic joints.
In several countries, it is mandatory for the cattle to get a vaccination as a calf for the disease.
However, TOI reports that most cows that are donated to the TTD's Gosamrakshana Sala are adults, which makes it tough to vaccinate them.
Stating that the TTD ensures that every calf born in its custody is vaccinated, Dr DN Raju, TTD farm manager told TOI, “We have about 3900 cows. But only nine have been diagnosed with Brucellosis. Every precaution is taken to ensure that the disease does not spread."
According to the TTD's website, the Goshala was set up in 1956 with the objective "to serve as an abode for the holy cattle received as donation and to maintain them by providing good environment, management and food."
Most of the cows are donated to the TTD by farmers and devotees, after the animals get old and serve no more economic purpose.
Recently, the TTD had announced plans to develop another Goshala in Tekulapalli in Andhra, at the cost of Rs 24 lakh.