Karnataka: Goats of positive Tumakuru shepherd test negative

BENGALURU: Farmers of a village in Tumakuru are a relieved lot after 10 of the 47 goats swabbed last week tested negative for Covid-19. The goats were quarantined outside Godekere village in the district after their goatherd was found infected.
There is no reported case of goats contracting coronavirus, said KG Nandeesh, deputy director of the veterinary department in Tumakuru, about 127km from Bengaluru.
“Farmers can continue to rear goats as usual and need not panic. People can also eat mutton freely without any fear,” he said. Of the 47 swabs collected, 15 were tested. “Swabs of 10 goats were sent to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals in Bengaluru and five were sent to a Bhopal laboratory. The results came on Friday and the goats have tested negative,” Nandeesh said.
There was fear in Godakere after four goats belonging to the goat-rearer died.