The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has identified a bacterial infection as the cause of multiple animal deaths in Beira Lake, Colombo.

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Mohammad Ijaz confirmed that tests on tissue samples from the deceased animals revealed the presence of Pasteurella multocida, a bacterium known to cause infections in animals.

Following the recent deaths of ducks near the lake, the CMC, in collaboration with the Homagama Veterinary Investigation Unit, conducted extensive testing, including blood analyses.

Dr. Ijaz stated that while the infection has been identified, further investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, antibiotic vaccinations for the remaining animals are set to begin today (5).