Farmers advised on lumpy skin disease

Expert declares meat and milk of infected animals safe for consumption

MULTAN:

The Livestock Department continued its awareness campaign to sensitize farmers on how to protect their cattle from Lumpy Skin disease (LSD). Deputy Director Livestock Dr Jamshed Akhtar said that livestock teams were travelling to different villages across the province to convey to farmers the importance of keeping their cattle pens clean to provide a healthy atmosphere for animals.

During an on-farm briefing to cattle farmers at Jalalpur Pirwala, Dr Akhtar said that the disease is transmitted by flies, mosquitoes, and ticks and advised farmers to apply pest sprays to kill them. Upon noticing symptoms, cattle farmers must quarantine the sick animal in a separate pen from healthy ones, to avoid spreading LSD to other cattle pens. He added that LSD does not transmit to humans from animals and their meat and milk is safe for human consumption.

Dr Akhtar also said that while cattle farmers were being approached by livestock officials, it would be appropriate for them to remain in contact with veterinary hospitals to ensure timely treatment of their animals. LSD was discovered in October 2021, with symptoms being reduced production of milk, loss of appetite as well as the appearance of skin protuberances that give the illness its name.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2022.