Chandigarh: After the instructions of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Mann for effectively containing the Lumpy Skin Disease prevalent in cattle in the state, the Animal Husbandry department has intensified vaccination drive and so far 1.16 lakh cattle have been administered the goat pox vaccine.
Giving detailed information about the vaccination drive carried out in the state, Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Mr. Vikas Pratap informed that the department has received around 2.34 lakh doses of the recommended vaccine against Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle, which have already been sent to all districts across Punjab. Apart from this, the department has already released Rs.76 lakh to various districts for the purchase of supportive treatment and other logistics for the vaccination drive.
He said that the department has vaccinated more than 1,15,985 cattle so far with the vaccine procured from Veterinary Biological & Research Institute, Hyderabad. “As per the preliminary reports received from the fields, the disease seems to have been stablized. However, the position will become clear in next few days”, he added.
Elaborating further, he informed that Lumpy skin disease is a viral disease of cattle and buffaloes, which is transmitted by flies and mosquitoes as well as mechanical transmission through farm workers and affected animals. Disease is characterized by mild fever for 2-3 days and round nodules on skin. Affected animals usually recover within 2-3 weeks, he added.
Mr. Vikas Pratap informed that the department has constituted a total 673 teams of Veterinary Officers & Veterinary Inspectors for vaccination drive and relief works. These teams are regularly following the guidelines issued by GoI for the treatment and control of disease in the state, which include isolation of affected animals, control of movement of animals and farm workers, disinfection of farms premises and control of vectors so that further spread of disease can be restricted.
It may be noted that Lumpy Skin disease originated in the continent of Africa and has severly impacted states of Gujarat and Rajasthan earlier this year.
