Lumpy Skin disease kills over 800 cattle in single day in Punjab; check symptoms & more
Chandigarh, August 13: The Lumpy skin disease outbreak has hit Punjab, killing over 800 cattle in a single day. This is the highest one-day death toll ever recorded.
Earlier on Thursday 385 cattle died due to Lumpy skin disease. On Friday, 4946 new cases were reported.
As the situation becomes alarming, the department started treating the animals as infected as soon as they notice the symptoms of lumpy skin disease. The department is also running behind on collecting animal samples, though.
Earlier, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats of the Punjab Government issued orders to keep all cattle markets closed until further notice.
The letter directed the department that samples of infected cattle from concerned areas should be collected and sent for examination. Additionally, in accordance with the Government of India's instructions, it has been suggested that appropriate measures be taken to restrict the movement of animals in order to avoid the spread of this disease.
As per the information provided by the officials, Chandigarh, Muktsar, Moga, Jalandhar, Bathinda Faridkot and Barnala are among the most adversely affected areas.
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What is Lumpy Skin Disease?
The Lumpy Skin disease is caused by a virus within the Capripox genus. It quickly spreads through carriers such as flies, ticks, or mosquitos and affects cattle, like cows and buffaloes.
Symptoms and treatment
The common symptoms of the disease are fever, runny nose, watery eyes, reduced milk yield, hearing deficiency, salivation, and soft bumpy nodules that grow all over the body.
Meanwhile, in a major relief to the livestock of the country, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar launched the indigenous vaccine Lumpi-ProVac to protect livestock from Lumpy skin disease, on Wednesday.
The National Equine Research Center in Hisar, Haryana, and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Izzatnagar worked together to develop the vaccine (Bareilly). Tomar stated that livestock is the nation's greatest asset while introducing the vaccine.
Furthermore, the Group of Ministers (GoM) formed by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for effective monitoring for the prevention of lumpy skin disease in the state, has directed to procure 3.33 lakh more doses of goat pox vaccine for the prevention of lumpy skin.
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-PTC News
