Faridkot: Lumpy skin disease puts Animal Husbandry Dept on high alert

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, July 29

The lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreak, which has affected thousands of animals (cows), has left the Animal Husbandry Department and dairy farmers worried.

Reported for first time

As the lumpy skin disease has been reported for the first time, doctors are relying on symptomatic treatment. Dr Sandeep Gupta, Deputy director, Animal husbandry department

More than 20 head of cattle died in Sikhanwala, Chahal, Kameana, Doad, Machaki Kalan, Surewala and Nangal villages adjoining Faridkot town in the last 24 hours.

This highly infectious disease has resulted in reduced milk production in the region. Symptoms include fever, nodules on skin, watery eyes and increased nasal and salivary secretions in cows.

Paramjit Singh of Kameana village said, “Lumps gradually open up to expose large and deep wounds in infected animals.”

Dr Sandeep Gupta, deputy director, Animal Husbandry Department, said, “As the causation of this new disease has been reported for the first time in the state, doctors are relying on symptomatic treatment.”

He said, “We have collected the samples and sent them to Northern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Jalandhar. They will further send these samples to National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal to know its aetiology, the causation of the disease and its specific treatment.”

Numerous dairy farmers were opting for goat pox vaccine, said Dr Gupta.

The Veterinary Department has constituted special teams at block levels to assist dairy farmers and those rearing animals at their home.

Other than providing symptomatic treatment, the teams were suggesting the dairy owners to avoid animal-to-animal contact, segregation of affected animals and keeping them safe from flies, mosquitoes and ticks.

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