Lumpy skin disease under control: Dept

After a gap of nearly three years, lumpy skin disease (LSD) has resurfaced in the state, with some cases reported from Fazilka and Muktsar districts, both bordering Rajasthan.Officials of the Animal Husbandry Department have, however, termed the situation as under control, saying there is no need to panic.

LSD, a viral infection in cattle caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), leads to fever, depression and skin nodules. It spreads mainly through mosquitoes, flies and direct contact, and causes significant economic losses due to reduced milk yield, infertility and sometimes causes death.

Notably, during the 2022 outbreak, the state had lost around 18,000 cattle, while nearly 1.74 lakh animals were infected.

Dr Mandeep Singh, Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Fazilka, said there were currently 12-13 active cases, mostly in unvaccinated cattle below four months of age or those recently brought from Rajasthan. “We have vaccinated animals in border villages such as Waryamkhera and Gumjal,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Gurditt Singh Aulakh, Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Muktsar, said that annual vaccinations were being carried out since the 2022 outbreak. “The recent mild cases were detected in animals brought from Rajasthan or Fazilka. The situation is under control,” he said.