A shepherd from Tumkur's Chikkanayakanahalli tested positive for COVID-19, spreading panic across villagers of the state. The incident took place at Gollarahatti hamlet near the Godekere village in the taluk, represented by district BJP leader J C Madhu Swamy. However all 50 goats and sheeps have been quarantined until further notice following a report from the laboratory. The relatives of the shepherd took the animals away to Jakkanahalli in the neighbouring Tiptur taluk for quarantine. Officials from the Animal husbandry department wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) reached the farm and collected samples from about 10 goats/sheep.
"The sheep & goat were showing symptoms for respiratory illnesses, it's common during this season. The chances of an animal contracting virus is almost nil, till today there hasn't been a record of this. Since the Shepherd tested positive and the sheep & goat were showing respiratory issues we collected 10 samples and five have been sent to the Institute of Animal Health & Veterinary Biologicals, five more have been sent to the National Institute for high-risk animal diseases in Bhopal to test virological infections," said KG Nandish, Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry department, Tumkur. Tumkur has had a total of 94 cases of COVID-19 till date and five people have lost their lives to the deadly virus.