Lumpy Skin Disease Slowly Spreading in Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Monday that lumpy skin disease in cattle has spread to about 15 districts in the state. He was speaking at a meeting to discuss the situation. So far, the virus has infected 4,24,188 animals, killing 18,462 of them, according to official data.

He said that in order to prevent lumpy skin disease, orders have been issued to all district collectors to purchase medicines without a tender if necessary. According to a statement quoting the chief minister, the state government is working with utmost seriousness and sensitivity to control the spread of lumpy disease in animals.

Gehlot stated that "we all have to face this disease that is spreading among animals." The disease is being spread by vectors such as flies and mosquitoes. It causes fever, nodules on the skin, and death, particularly in animals that have never been exposed to the virus.

He stated that district collectors should be given instructions on how to properly dispose of the carcasses of diseased bovines, and he also directed the chief secretary to issue treatment guidelines after consulting with the Ayurveda department.

The CM has also directed that a public awareness campaign about the disease be launched. He stated that Gaushala cleanliness, sodium hypochlorite spraying, fogging, and the availability of heavy construction machines should be ensured.

Gehlot stated that there is no shortage of medicines, while the vaccine is still being tested, and goat pox vaccine is being used as an alternative, adding that Union Minister Purushottam Rupala has also assured the state of assistance. People in the state are also welcome to make suggestions to the government for disease prevention and treatment in writing or by calling the 181 helpline number, he said.

The government, according to Gehlot, has increased the grant period for Gaushalas from 6 to 9 months. He said that Jaipur, Ajmer, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Udaipur, which are among the most affected districts, are being closely monitored.

Dr. CP Joshi, Speaker of the Assembly, stated that the infection could be avoided by properly disposing of animals suffering from the viral disease. The representatives of the people up to the Panchayat level play an important role in this task.

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand Kataria stated that continuous monitoring is taking place in all districts of the state to ensure effective disease prevention. As a result, he added, the recovery rate is increasing while the death rate is decreasing. According to the data, a total of 1,79,854 animals have recovered from the disease as of Monday.