A number of cattle have been detected with the vector-borne lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Jammu and Kashmir. While a few have reportedly died, the LSD continues to spread at a pace, affecting thousands of animals, mostly cows, across Jammu and Kashmir. Though the mortality rate of LSD is not high, the experts underline that animals infected with this disease are unable to produce enough milk even after they are cured of infection. In essence, the dairy farmers have been hit economically as it affects the milk yield as well as the fertility. Symptoms of the disease include fever, loss in milk production, nodules on the skin, nasal and eye discharge, etc.
While the means to contain and manage the disease so far have not been as warranted by the situation, nonetheless the government has started to act.
It has issued a notification under Section 6 of Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009 declaring nine districts of J&K as “controlled areas” for the purpose of the Act.
The administration in some districts has already banned the movement, transportation of dairy animals from one place to another. The movement of all trucks, tractor trolleys and other vehicles carrying cattle in, or out or within the particular district stands stopped with immediate effect.
The government has constituted two dedicated task forces, one each for Kashmir and Jammu divisions to monitor the spread of the disease in real time and suggest strategies for its control.
These task forces will be headed by scientists from SKUAST K/J along with other members from Animal Husbandry departments, according to the government. Awareness about preventive steps and preparedness should be spread. The government must employ all means to ensure large-scale awareness as well as measures such as vaccination at war footing basis to prevent the spread of the disease. It is imperative that the infected animals are isolated from healthy stock. Also the farmers, as directed by the government, need to establish close liaison with Animal Husbandry Authorities and cooperate fully in control and immunization programs.
Also, carcasses of animals are not to be disposed of in the open while skinning of carcasses stand prohibited.
There is high risk that the carcasses might be left rotting in the open or dumped into water bodies which may result in a different challenge. The local authorities should ensure carcasses are disposed of as per protocol.
