K-P to launch vaccination to contain LSD
Workers at a cattle pen in Karachi show the animals infected by Lumpy Skin Disease that have been quarantined in a separate enclosure to prevent the spread of the disease. Photo: Express
As farmers are reporting millions of rupees losses due to the death of cattle from lumpy skin disease (LSD), the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to launch a large-scale special vaccination campaign on emergency footing to effectively control the spread of the infection.
During the campaign seven million cattle will be vaccinated against the LSD.
The decision was made at a meeting on LSD held here on Tuesday with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair.
The meeting reviewed latest situation of the disease across the province and important decisions were made regarding the future course of action to prevent the spread of LSD.
It was decided in the meeting to ensure availability of trained manpower to vaccinate maximum heads of cattle in the shortest possible time.
During the campaign, seven million cattle will be vaccinated against the skin disease for which it has been decided to purchase vaccine on an emergency basis.
The chief minister, on the occasion, directed the finance department to provide the required funds for the purchase of vaccines on priority basis and said that timely prevention of LSD is the first priority of the government at this time.
He further directed that orders for the purchase of vaccines should be placed immediately.
The chief minister said that livestock is the only source of income for most of the people in the province and in case of further spread of LSD, they will incur huge losses, so timely and effective measures need to be taken to protect the people from this possible damage.
He also directed the Livestock Department, district administration and other relevant authorities to immediately prepare a workable plan to effectively control LSD.
He said that the provincial government will provide all the financial resources needed to prevent the further spread of the disease.
While briefing the meeting regarding the measures taken by the Livestock Department to prevent the skin disease, it was revealed that more than 46,000 cases of the disease have been reported so far.
More than eight and a half lakh heads of cattle have been vaccinated while more than 2,000 cattle have fully recovered from the disease and more than 13 thousand cattle are under treatment.
Similarly, more than 31 lakh cattle have been sprayed against LSD.
Provincial Ministers Taimur Saleem Jhagra and Mohib Ullah Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Agriculture and Livestock Israr Khan and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2022.