Widespread LSD outbreak killing thousands of cattle, Government’s help and guidance

Around 15.21 lakh cattle had been affected by the LSD and took the life of above 57000 cattle across the country. According to the World Health Organisation of Animals (WOAH) Lumpy skin disease virus which belongs to Capripovirus genus of the Poxviridae family is the cause of this contagious and deadly outbreak. Maximum cases have been recorded in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

The centre had advised to isolate the infected animals. The state governments of Rajasthan and Gujarat had arranged for separate rooms to monitor and implement prevention strategies. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wrote to the centre that this disease must be declared as a national calamity.

Fortunately LSD is not zoonotic according to WOAH which means it is not a threat to human in any way. According to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) LSD is transmitted by blood feeding insects like flies, mosquitoes and ticks. An infected animal becomes immune to the virus after recovery.

 Some animals do not show any symptoms but the virus remains in the blood for few days after which it vanishes. The disease causes nodules on the skin, fever and discharge from eyes and nose. It reduces milk production and often leads to miscarriage in pregnant cattle.

This endemic is said to poses an African origin and had been spreading rapidly since 2012 across Middle East, south-east Europe and West and Central Asia. Since 2019 numerous outbreaks are being recorded across the Asian countries. Around 29000 cases are discovered in Pakistan, Punjab and Sindh province.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Shri Parshottam Rupala Held a meeting to ensure the accessibility of ring vaccine to prevent further transmission. Isolating the affected animals along with herbal and homeopathic treatment is also supported.

Till now 97 lakhs of cattle are already vaccinated and many of the cattle had recovered with proper medication. According to the centre the goat pox vaccine which is being used to curb the disease proved to be 100% effective. The government had also created a toll free number (1962) to guide the dairy farmers and cattle herders in fighting the disease.