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Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS), locally called galghotu or ghurka, is one of the deadliest bacterial diseases of Indian cattle and buffalo, and it strikes hardest in the monsoon. It moves so fast that many animals are found dead before treatment can work — so the single most important step is timely vaccination just before the rains. Buffaloes are especially vulnerable.
HS is an acute, often fatal bacterial disease caused by specific serotypes of Pasteurella multocida. The bacteria live quietly in the throat of many healthy animals and flare up when the animals are stressed — heavy rain, humidity, water-logging, transport, and poor nutrition during the monsoon all trigger outbreaks. Once clinical signs appear, the disease can kill within 8–24 hours, which is why prevention matters far more than treatment.
Warm, wet, humid conditions help the organism spread through contaminated feed, water and nasal discharge. Water-logging concentrates animals and effluent, and monsoon stress lowers immunity. This is why HS is classically a "rainy-season" disease across India, Southeast Asia and parts of Africa.
HS typically progresses very quickly. Common signs include:
HS is a veterinary emergency and a notifiable/economically important disease. If you see these signs, or sudden unexplained deaths in cattle or buffalo during the rains, call your veterinarian and the local animal husbandry department at once. Early antibiotic treatment by a vet can save some animals if given very early, but many are lost before treatment.
Vaccination is the backbone of HS control in India. Key points:
Reduce monsoon stress and exposure: provide dry, well-drained standing and housing; avoid water-logging; give clean drinking water and good-quality feed; avoid unnecessary transport in the rains; and isolate sick or new animals. During an outbreak, separate affected animals, restrict movement, and dispose of carcasses safely (deep burial with lime) under official guidance, because the bacteria survive in damp soil and contaminated surroundings.
Vaccination and hygiene prevent HS; supportive nutrition helps animals withstand monsoon stress in general. Good mineral and vitamin status supports immunity — see our mineral mixture buying guide and product Cattle Remedies Verymin. For broader wet-season herd care, our monsoon herd health guide covers hoof care, worm control and shed management. To keep appetite and metabolism steady in stressed animals, a herbal liver tonic such as Cattle Remedies Heprich can be used as general support. None of these supplements prevent or treat HS — only vaccination and veterinary care do.
Yes. It spreads through contaminated feed, water, and nasal/oral discharge, and can move rapidly through a herd during the rains. Isolation and movement control during outbreaks are essential.
Before the monsoon each year, as advised by your local veterinary/animal husbandry department. In highly endemic areas a six-monthly schedule may be recommended.
Only if caught extremely early — a vet can use antibiotics such as sulphonamides or appropriate antibiotics in the earliest stage. Because the disease kills so quickly, prevention through vaccination is far more reliable than treatment.
HS is fast, deadly and preventable. A timely pre-monsoon vaccine, dry housing, clean water and prompt reporting of sudden deaths will protect your herd through the rainy season. Always consult your veterinarian and local animal husbandry department for vaccination scheduling and any suspected case.
References: ICAR / Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying advisories on Haemorrhagic Septicaemia; FAO Haemorrhagic Septicaemia manual (Pasteurella multocida in cattle and buffalo).
This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace professional veterinary advice.
