KATHMANDU, JULY 10
More than 10,000 cattle have been infected with Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Jhapa district over the past year. In recent months alone, 142 infected cattle have died.
According to Shital Bhattarai, Chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Service Technical Centre in Jhapa, vaccination campaigns are currently underway across all 15 local levels of the district to contain the outbreak. So far, 58,000 animals have been vaccinated.
Bhattarai noted that the highest number of cases has been reported in Mechinagar Municipality and Bahradashi Rural Municipality. "The spread of LSD increases with rising temperatures," she said. "The disease is transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and other insects. We are conducting free vaccination campaigns by visiting individual farms to control the outbreak."
Furthermore, the district recently received 77,500 vaccine doses from the Department of Livestock and Fishery Development. Infected cattle typically show symptoms such as fever, swelling (lumps) on various parts of the body and internal tissues, fluid discharge from the lumps, and abscess formation.
Bhattarai emphasized that previously vaccinated cattle have not shown symptoms of the disease, indicating that the primary risk lies with newly born calves and recently imported cattle.
In the current fiscal year 2081/82, the Centre observed 72 cattle farms to address infertility issues by organizing integrated veterinary camps.
Additionally, 13 households reported livestock losses due to natural disasters. Based on their claims, the office has provided compensation ranging from Rs 6,000 to Rs 78,000.
