5 days ago
Pune: Lumpy skin disease returns to district, but milder
After a gap of three years, Pune, Sindhudurg Satara and Solapur have reported the reappearance of the lumpy skin disease among cattle. Animal Husbandry Commissioner Pravinkumar Deore, while speaking to The Indian Express, said that the incidents this time are far less severe with very low mortality among animals.
'As compared to the last time the numbers are far fewer, also the infections are less severe,' he said. The disease is mainly being reported in animals with co-morbidity or young calves. The emergence in calves Deore said, had propelled the department to vaccinate the calves as well. 'Since the first emergence of the disease we have taken up the aim of 100 percent vaccination in the animals. Our drives are still on and we will continue our drives to ensure no animal is left behind,' he said. The present outbreak Deore said was mild with less mortality
Originating in Africa, the Lumpy skin disease is caused by a virus called Capripox. This causes lesions on the skin of the animals and is transmitted through biting insects. In 2022 over 60,000 animals had died in India due to the disease.
Like the previous outbreak Deore said this time also the cattle markets have contributed to the spread of the disease. 'I have been personally visiting the cattle markets of Ahilyanagar (erstwhile Ahmednagar) to see for the implantation of control measures. Due to the vaccinations we have managed to bring herd immunity among the animals,' he said.
Previously it was thought that calves below 4 months would acquire immunity if the mother is vaccinated – but reports of calves getting the disease has propelled the department to take up Immunization of the calves as well.
As of now, dairy farmers have not reported any dip in milk production due to the disease.
