CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, Sept 22: As the cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle are on a rise in Jharkhand, the state tends to face an acute shortage of goat pox vaccine, the only vaccine available to contain the spread of LSD, as per sources.
Moreover, the launch of ‘Lumpi-ProVacInd, a new vaccine for LSD might take three to four months.
“In Ranchi, two cattle deaths have been reported in the last two days from the Chanho and Mandar blocks. One cow’s condition is critical as a result of the sickness that may be present in Nagri block,” Anil Kumar, the animal husbandry officer (DHO) for Ranchi, told PTI.
Notably, there have been reports of the disease’s symptoms coming from six Ranchi district blocks so far – Lapung, Mandar, Chanho, Ormanjhi, Nagri, and Kanke.
Moreover, LSD is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle and is transmitted via mosquitoes, flies, lice, wasps, contaminated food, and water. It cannot be transmitted from livestock to people. High fever, decreased milk production, skin nodules, loss of appetite, and watery eyes are among the symptoms.
Notably, in Jharkhand, Ramgarh Administration has taken out important guidelines mentioning the symptoms and precautions that are needed to be taken by cattle owners in order to prevent their cattle from LSD.
The director of the Animal Health and Production Institute, Bipin Bihari Mahatha spoke to lagatar24.com and informed that the milk-producing capacity of a cow decreases drastically when infected with LSD.
“It is natural that once a cow is affected with LSD, it stops eating which drastically affects its health and milk-producing capacity. However, once recovered from the disease, the cow once again regains its milk up to 80 per cent,” Mahata informed.
He added that though the milk should not be consumed by the calf as it can transfer the disease, it can be consumed by humans as long as it is boiled properly.
Moreover, the goat pox vaccine is expected to be back in stock and it will further curb the cases of LSD in cattle, as informed by the director.
As per the official data, there are around 7.50 lakh cows and buffaloes across the district out of which more than 65 cows are infected with LSD.
Notably, the government announced a toll-free number 1800-309-771 in order to report cases.
