Several Mithuns were killed recently by a strange disease were sore throat was the symptom. The Mithun is a bovine species (Bos frontalis) found in Chin state, northwestern Burma. Unidentified disease kills several Mithuns in Burma.

The unidentified throat disease that killed domesticated animals was detected in Tlangkhan village in Falam Township, northern Chin state.

Around 27 Mithuns were said to have died of the unknown disease. The sore throat made it difficult for the animals to swallow food and even water.

“All the afflicted Mithuns were unable to swallow food and water because of the sore throat they were suffering from,” a local in Chin state said.

So far, the local authorities have not official reported the strange disease that killed Mithuns. Neither has it taken any precautionary step to prevent the disease spreading to other places, according to locals in Chin state.

Previously, such a disease in Mithuns was hardly ever found in Chin state. However, the mouth and foot disease occasionally does break out.

The current price of a Mithun in Chin state ranges from Kyat 200,000 to Kyat 400,000.

Traditionally, the locals from village areas in Chin state raise Mithuns for village consumption. Some also raise it for commercial purposes.

In 2003, the Burmese regime initiated commercialization of Mithun raised in Chin state.

According to Myanmar Information Committee, Information Sheet 28 July 2003 “Development of Agriculture, Livestock Breeding in Chin State”, 32,491 Mithuns had been domesticated in Chin state.