Lumpy skin disease on the wane in Rawalpindi

Livestock officials urge people not to lower their guard against the virus

RAWALPINDI:

The severity of lumpy skin disease (LSD), a viral disease responsible for the deaths of 170 cattle in Rawalpindi district, is finally petering out.

The livestock department has declared taking preventive measures as the primary reason for the downturn in the rate of the disease's spread.

In its advisory, the department also strongly recommended immediate quarantining of infected animals and completing the vaccination course.

Following its transmission from Sindh to Punjab, LSD proceeded to infect as many as 2,389 cattle in Rawalpindi district, leaving 170 animals dead in its wake.

Periodic awareness campaigns organised by the livestock department since before Eidul Azha have seemingly managed to reign in the disease.

As many as 48,000 cattle in the district have been fully vaccinated against LSD so far.

Rawalpindi Livestock Director Dr Naveed Sahar Zaidi confirmed that the intensity of the disease has lessened, courtesy of the timely dissemination of awareness about LSD and its prevention.

The official cautioned cattle owners against practicing laxity while dealing with infected animals, as humans are potential carriers of the disease and can be the cause of its transmission to healthy animals.

She said that besides quarantining infected cattle, arrangements should be made to safeguard animals against vermin and adverse effects of changing weather.

Dr Naveeda added that the animals currently under treatment are recovering at a good pace due to timely medical intervention. She advised cattle owners to restrict their animals' movement and to follow hygienic practices, especially after feeding their animals.

The official reiterated the importance of keeping an eye out for symptoms, and to quaratine animals that exhibit any signs of being infected by LSD.

Meanwhile, livestock experts have warned that if the viral disease and its rate of death is not controlled further, it may adversely affect meat production.

Not only would it upset the demand and supply ratio, but it would also lead to a swift increase in the prices of beef, they said.

Therefore, it is necessary to follow the guidelines set out by the livestock department to minimise the spread of LSD, said the experts.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2022.