Lumpy skin disease: About 20,000 Cows were infected, Over 400 Cattle Die

According to a senior official, over 400 cattle have died in Punjab in the past month from lumpy skin disease, and about 20,000 cows, have been affected. 

Ram Pal Mittal, joint director of the Punjab Animal Husbandry Department, listed some of the worst-affected districts in the state as Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Jalandhar, Moga, and Muktsar. According to reports, Punjab has seen around 20,000 LSD cases so far, and 424 livestock have died.”

He Further Added the disease has mostly affected cows from "gaushalas" and dairy farms have been reported.

LSD is caused by a virus of the capripox genus. It is transmitted quickly among cows and buffaloes through flies, mosquitoes, and ticks.

It causes soft, blister-like nodules all over the body, along with fever, runny nose, watery eyes, salivation, decreased milk production, and difficulty in eating.

According to the advisory issued by the Animal Husbandry Department, an animal that has contracted LSD should be kept apart from others to check the spread of the infection.

The advice stated that such animals should not be allowed to walk around freely.

According to Mittal, Animals that are affected by LSD should be provided green fodder and a liquid diet, and also owners of cattle should maintain hygienic conditions and spray disinfectants in animal sheds.

The state government has already given field veterinary staff instructions to step up the effort to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Additionally, it has commanded that veterinary officer be sent to the worst-affected districts with immediate effect.

District deputy directors of the Animal Husbandry Department have been given instructions to intensify field visits.

According to a report by GAVI, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is caused by a virus called the Capripoxvirus and is “an emerging threat to livestock worldwide”. It is genetically related to the goatpox and sheeppox virus family.