Pulwama: At least 200 lumpy skin disease cases of cattle were reported in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday while inter-district transportation has been banned.
Top officials of the animal husbandry department said that over 200 cases of the lumpy disease have been reported among cattle in different areas of the Pulwama district.
They said that among them 11 have died and have been buried by following all SoPs besides that around 112. recovered and the rest are active.
They said that to avoid the spread of this disease, transportation has been stopped and district administration has already issued an advisory in this regard, and transportation of animals from Pulwama to other districts or vice-versa has been banned.
They said that if any farmer will find this disease in any animal, he must separate and quarantine this animal for 10-15 days.
Farmers must contact the nearest animal husbandry offices once they find symptoms in their animals so that they can get treatment on time and can be separated from other animals, they said
"We are taking all precautions so that it does not spread to other areas. We are also spreading awareness among the farmers on how to deal with LSD and prevent it from spreading,” they added.
Chief Animal Husbandry officer Pulwama Dr. Mohsin said that there is a recovery rate of around 60 percent in this district and around 99 cases are active besides that 11 cattle have died so far.
He said the vaccination process is going on and there is no need to panic as it has a mortality rate of 1-2 percent only and farmers must contact the nearest veterinary center once they find any symptoms in cattle.
He said farmers must keep their cowsheds clean and away from mosquitoes, and flies.
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious disease in cattle caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae. The disease is characterized by fever, enlarged superficial lymph nodes, and multiple nodules (measuring 2–5 centimeters (1–2) in diameter) on the skin and mucous membranes.
Infected cattle results in chronic debility, reduced milk production, poor growth, infertility, abortion and death.
It is pertinent to mention that Kashmir reportedly produces an estimated 7.5 lakh liters of milk each day, and the animal epidemic has hit the industry.
As per locals in north Kashmir’s Uri, almost 300 animals have succumbed to LSD.
(With KNO Inputs)
