DHANGADI, JULY 3
Lumpy Skin Disease has rapidly spread throughout Sudurpaschim Province, causing the death of approximately 11,000 animals. The outbreak has affected all nine districts, with Doti, Achham, and Bajhang being the most impacted areas, particularly those along the Indian border.
The Livestock Disease Research Laboratory in Dhangadi confirmed that Sudurpaschim Province had witnessed higher number of infected animals compared to other provinces. Currently, out of the 298,000 infected animals in the province, more than 10,900 have succumbed to the disease.
Around 12.7 per cent of the total population of 1,582,000 cows and buffaloes in the province have been infected.
This includes 79,188 cows, 77,471 bulls, 39,888 calves, and 5,051 buffaloes.
The disease manifests through symptoms such as formation of small and large lumps on various parts of the animal's body, along with high fever, swollen eyes, drooping ears, loss of appetite, excessive salivation, and foaming from the mouth. Dairy production in lactating cows and buffaloes can decrease by up to 80 per cent resulting in significant financial losses for farmers.
Proper management of sheds, cleanliness, and regular vaccination are recommended by veterinarians to control the disease.
Due to absence of a specific treatment method, management of infected animals relies on addressing their symptoms. The doctor in charge of the Livestock Disease Research Laboratory in Dhangadi emphasied the need for local authorities to allocate budget for disease control since it has reached epidemic proportions in the province.
Hemraj Awasthi, the chief doctor of the Regional Livestock Training Centre in Dhangadi, reported that many farmers have suffered loss due to the disease-related deaths of their cows and oxen, impacting those dependent on dairy farming and cattle raising.
The Department of Livestock Services advises separating infected cows and buffaloes from the herd and providing rest, clean water, and appropriate medication, such as Paracetamol or Meloxicam, to alleviate fever.
To minimie disease spread, infected and uninfected areas should be kept separate, wounds should be cleaned, and antiseptic ointment should be applied to affected areas. Animals with numerous lumps may require antibiotic injections, as recommended by experts.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 4, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
