An unknown disease is killing a number of cows in Budi County despite a vaccination campaign ongoing across the state, Namurnyang state officials have announced.

They say the deaths come with the persistent cold weather in the mountainous areas in Budi and the neighboring Nauro County.

Mr Augustine Louta, deputy director for animal resources, health and disease control in Budi County, told Eye Radio that more than 5,000 cows have died of the mysterious disease over the last one month.

“If they supply us with drugs, we can carry out treatments,” he said.

Mr Louta said the animal disease is characterized by loss of appetite and swelling of legs.

He said there are 1.6 million cattle in the state. 10 percent of these animals have been vaccinated in an ongoing campaign.

Foot and mouth disease is said to be a common cause of death among the cattle in the area.