Eid cattle markets compound LSD spread

Livestock official says 200 animals quarantined, 37,000 vaccinated in Rawalpindi district

RAWALPINDI:

The Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) that affected a large number of animals at the cattle markets set up during the Eidul Azha has now started to spread in seven tehsils of Rawalpindi.

The livestock department's mobile teams are visiting seven tehsils and have quarantined around 200 animals so far. They are also providing treatment urgently in Rawalpindi tehsils and have vaccinated around 37,000 animals after Eidul Azha.

The officials confirmed that animals transported from all over Punjab for sale at the cattle markets in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Eidul Azha were the main cause of the rapid spread of the disease that started from South Punjab.

The teams of the livestock department have inspected the animals at the cattle farms in tehsils of Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, Gujar Khan, Taxila and confirmed that the animals are suffering from LSD.

The infected animals have been quarantined and are being given proper treatment by the veterinary doctors of the livestock department. Additionally, the sick animals are first isolated from the other animals under SOPs to protect healthy animals from the effects of LSD.

Livestock Department's Additional Director Dr Naveed Sahar Zaidi said, "It is possible to cure animals with lumpy skin disease and make them healthy again, but in the case of negligence, the animal's life might be at risk. Furthermore, if consumed, the meat of such an animal may be dangerous to human health; thus, animals affected by LSD must be treated immediately."

Dr Zaidi said that the teams of the livestock department are visiting seven tehsils to test the animals for lumpy skin disease after examining and inspecting them.

The department has also started a regular campaign to create awareness among the farmers and cattle owners. They are advised to take immediate precautions and isolate any animals that have lumpy skin disease symptoms from other animals.

Moreover, the livestock department should be notified about the issue so that a team can be dispatched there to inspect the animal.

Dr Zaidi said, "Animals in Gujar Khan and Adiala Road were quarantined following the confirmation of disease." No cases of Congo virus had been reported in the district since Eidul Azha.

A couple of days ago, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research has decided to import vaccine for the lumpy skin disease as the virus has killed more than 100,000 animals, triggering fears of milk and meat scarcity.

According to sources in the ministry, it has been decided to seek vaccine for the disease as soon as possible, and for the purpose, the Animal Husbandry Commission – a department of the ministry – has started working with the agencies concerned.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2022.