20 LSD-infected animals found at cattle market

Police thrash out security plan for 11 cattle markets set up across Rawalpindi district

RAWALPINDI:

At least 20 animals with suspected lumpy skin disease, brought to the Bhata Ground cattle market in Rawalpindi, were isolated by teams of the livestock department.

The Rawalpindi livestock department quarantined the suspected animals in a separate camp.

According to the new SOP, no truck carrying animals will be allowed to enter the market without clearance from the camp set up at the entry gate by the livestock department.

Officials said that samples of the animals with clear symptoms of lumpy skin disease, that were isolated in the market in a separate camp, have been sent to the laboratory for test.

The Rawalpindi livestock department confirmed that 20 animals inside the market were suffering from the most dangerous LSD.

They said that the animals were separated from the market and quarantined in a separate camp before sending their samples to the laboratory for test.

According to Rawalpindi Livestock Department Deputy Director Dr Sadia, teams consisting of three veterinarians and three assistants had been deployed at the Bhata Ground cattle market and a laboratory has also been shifted there for the confirmation of the lumpy skin disease in animals.

She said that animals will be removed from the market permanently if any signs of lumpy skin disease were found. “After a thorough examination, their treatment will be started,” she said adding that it has been ensured that when the animals were brought in trucks for sale at the cattle market, they will first be inspected at the entrance by the livestock department teams. Dr Saadia said that treatment has been started for the animals which have been quarantined. The livestock department also has the necessary medicine, she said.

On the other hand, a separate camp has also been set up at the cattle market in Sector I-15 of Islamabad to inspect the animals before they were allowed for sale. Citizens have been asked to ensure that the animal did not have the symptoms of the lumpy skin disease before purchasing them.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi district administration has set up 11 cattle markets for the sale of sacrificial animals in Rawalpindi district.

In Rawalpindi, cattle markets for sacrificial animals have been set up at Bhatta Chowk, Punjab Cooperative Housing Society on Adiala Road and Chakri Road near Al-Haram City. Gujar Khan cattle market has been set up on Gulyana Road, Mangal Chowk near Kalar by-pass, Tanki Road near Chan Shah Jalyar Kahuta, Chovera Bazaar near Rescue-1122, Kotli Sattian, HIT near Sunday Bazaar timber market road Taxila, Sharif Hospital Stop on G.T.Road Wah Cantt, Tehsil Road, Lower Bazaar Murree and Jhika Gali Murree.

Police have thrashed out a foolproof security plan for cattle markets set up at 11 different places in Rawalpindi district for Eidul Azah. The security plan will remain in place from July 1 and till the second day of Eid.

Sources said that additional police personnel will be deployed at the markets, most of them set up in open places, and on internal and external routes.

According to sources, more than 1,500 police personnel will be deployed for foolproof security of cattle markets. The police personnel will be deployed in three shifts. The sources said that with most markets being in open spaces, it will be difficult for the policemen to arrange security for the all market and talks were under way with the district administration to lay temporary fencing around all markets by July 1 to make it easier for policemen to perform security duties.

Additional police personnel will be deployed at crowded cattle markets to facilitate buyers.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi district administration spokesperson advised the citizens to adopt all possible precautionary measures to avoid catching the coronavirus and Congo virus on Eidul Azha.

He said that the administration has restricted the movement of sacrificial animals in the city so that it could properly spray the animals at the entry points to ensure their protection from the viruses.

The spokesperson said that the administration has directed the officials of the livestock department to set up camps at all entry points to spray the animals against the tick. The teams of the livestock department would also continue anti-Congo spray in and on main entries of cattle markets, he said.

Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment Boards have also imposed a ban on the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals on roads and open places in Cantonment areas. According to an RCB spokesman, the board has formed teams to check the illegal cattle markets in Cantonment areas and no animal vendor would be allowed to bring sacrificial animals to the residential areas. “The sale and purchase of sacrificial animals on the roads and streets would be banned and all-out efforts would be made to keep the Cantonment areas neat and clean during the Eidul Azha days,” he said.

With additional input APP

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2022.