India is blessed with a cattle population of 193.46 million in 2019, as per the 20th Livestock census, and ranks first as the World’s largest milk producer. But the recent upsurge in LSD (Lumpy Skin Disease) among cattle has negatively impacted this sector.
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle by causing fever, nodules on the skin and can also lead to death. LSD has recently spread in Asia following outbreaks in the Middle East and Europe. The disease emerged in Bangladesh in July 2019.
India saw its first case of LSD in 2019, in the eastern States of West Bengal and Odisha. But in 2022, the disease has been reported in western and northern States as well as in Andaman Nicobar. Over 7,300 cattle have died so far due to ‘lumpy skin disease’ in eight states.
About 74,325 cattle have been affected in Punjab, while 58,546 in Gujarat, 43,962 in Rajasthan, 6,385 in Jammu and Kashmir, 1,300 in Uttarakhand, 532 in Himachal Pradesh, 260 in Andaman & Nicobar.
It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks. The disease, caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae, is spread through mosquitoes, flies, and ticks.
It leads to decrease in milk production and increase in morbidity among cattle.
Can humans get affected due to it?
No! It does not affect any other livestock or humans.
What’s the Cure?
ICAR has developed a vaccine to treat LSD. Currently, a vaccination drive is underway and 17.92 lakh cattle have been vaccinated so far in these States/UT.
Apart from this, states have been asked to implement strictly the advisories and bio-safety measures, restriction of movement and isolation of infected animals, monitoring of stray animals besides safe disposal of carcasses.
The State Governments along with the central ministry have set up control rooms toll-free numbers to help address the issues of animal owners and spread awareness.
