News Analysis India

Tag: cattle disease

  • Amid lumpy skin disease spread, Maharashtra to vaccinate cattle for free

    By PTI

    PUNE: In a bid to check the spread of lumpy skin disease in cattle, the Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Department has directed authorities of all districts to speed up vaccination which will be offered free, officials said.

    The disease has so far claimed the lives of 43 cattle in the state.

    “The Maharashtra government has decided to offer vaccination against lumpy skin disease virus for free with 50 lakh vials to be made available from the next week,” Sachindra Pratap Singh, the state commissioner for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department, said on Tuesday.

    Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Singh said farmers will not have to pay any charges for the vaccination of cattle.

    “The state government is going to receive 50 lakh vials of the vaccine against the lumpy skin disease virus,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Over 67,000 cattle died so far from lumpy skin disease in India: Government

    A total of 5,51,120 livestock in 1,755 villages within a five-kilometre radius of the infected area have been vaccinated, the Animal Husbandry department said in a release on Monday.

    Out of the total of 2,664 infected livestock in the affected villages, 1,520 have recovered after treatment, it added.

    “The lumpy skin disease among cattle is caused by a virus. If not treated in time, it turns fatal. More than 50,000 infected cattle have died in Rajasthan of this disease. Similar cases have been reported from Punjab and Haryana as well,” said an official.

    Singh said the disease was spreading rapidly in the state and there was a need to raise public awareness on a large scale.

    “In order to keep the mortality rate down due to lumpy skin disease in Maharashtra, a batch of 10 lakh vaccine doses has been received to vaccinate cows within a radius of five km of an affected area,” the release said.

    Instructions have been given that the vaccination should be done at a faster pace and continuous efforts should be made to bring the disease under control.

    The Animal Husbandry department also said that Rs 1 crore should be made available from the District Planning Committee for each district for the procurement of vaccines and medicines useful in curbing the ailment.

    “A vaccination campaign should be conducted in collaboration with private livestock supervisors to control the disease and their services should be taken on a remuneration basis.

    ALSO READ | 42 cattle die due to Lumpy Skin Disease in Maharashtra

    Vacant posts in the animal husbandry department must be immediately filled on a contract basis,” the release said.

    The Maharashtra government has already declared the whole state a “controlled area” to curb the spread of the disease and has banned the holding of markets, races and exhibitions connected to cattle.

    Singh said his department observed that private veterinary doctors were prescribing expensive antibiotics and other supportive medicines for the disease, whereas all the necessary medicines were available at government veterinary dispensaries and mini veterinary polyclinics in tehsils.

    “All farmers should avail free treatment for their affected cattle at their doorstep by contacting government veterinary dispensaries nearby and livestock development officers,” he said.

    PUNE: In a bid to check the spread of lumpy skin disease in cattle, the Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Department has directed authorities of all districts to speed up vaccination which will be offered free, officials said.

    The disease has so far claimed the lives of 43 cattle in the state.

    “The Maharashtra government has decided to offer vaccination against lumpy skin disease virus for free with 50 lakh vials to be made available from the next week,” Sachindra Pratap Singh, the state commissioner for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department, said on Tuesday.

    Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Singh said farmers will not have to pay any charges for the vaccination of cattle.

    “The state government is going to receive 50 lakh vials of the vaccine against the lumpy skin disease virus,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Over 67,000 cattle died so far from lumpy skin disease in India: Government

    A total of 5,51,120 livestock in 1,755 villages within a five-kilometre radius of the infected area have been vaccinated, the Animal Husbandry department said in a release on Monday.

    Out of the total of 2,664 infected livestock in the affected villages, 1,520 have recovered after treatment, it added.

    “The lumpy skin disease among cattle is caused by a virus. If not treated in time, it turns fatal. More than 50,000 infected cattle have died in Rajasthan of this disease. Similar cases have been reported from Punjab and Haryana as well,” said an official.

    Singh said the disease was spreading rapidly in the state and there was a need to raise public awareness on a large scale.

    “In order to keep the mortality rate down due to lumpy skin disease in Maharashtra, a batch of 10 lakh vaccine doses has been received to vaccinate cows within a radius of five km of an affected area,” the release said.

    Instructions have been given that the vaccination should be done at a faster pace and continuous efforts should be made to bring the disease under control.

    The Animal Husbandry department also said that Rs 1 crore should be made available from the District Planning Committee for each district for the procurement of vaccines and medicines useful in curbing the ailment.

    “A vaccination campaign should be conducted in collaboration with private livestock supervisors to control the disease and their services should be taken on a remuneration basis.

    ALSO READ | 42 cattle die due to Lumpy Skin Disease in Maharashtra

    Vacant posts in the animal husbandry department must be immediately filled on a contract basis,” the release said.

    The Maharashtra government has already declared the whole state a “controlled area” to curb the spread of the disease and has banned the holding of markets, races and exhibitions connected to cattle.

    Singh said his department observed that private veterinary doctors were prescribing expensive antibiotics and other supportive medicines for the disease, whereas all the necessary medicines were available at government veterinary dispensaries and mini veterinary polyclinics in tehsils.

    “All farmers should avail free treatment for their affected cattle at their doorstep by contacting government veterinary dispensaries nearby and livestock development officers,” he said.

  • 42 cattle die due to Lumpy Skin Disease in Maharashtra

    By ANI

    MAHARASHTRA: As many as 42 cows and buffaloes have died due to the onslaught of the Lumpy Skin Disease in Maharashtra, the state’s animal husbandry department said on Monday.

    A total of 42 infected cattle have died due to Lumpy Skin Disease in different districts of Maharashtra including 17 in Jalgaon, 13 in Ahmednagar, 1 in Dhule, 1 in Akola, 3 in Pune, 3 in Buldhana, 3 in Amravati and 1 in Washim till Sunday, according to the department.

    The first case of Lumpy Skin Disease was reported on August 4 in Chinawal village of Raver taluka of Jalgaon district.

    The virus has been found only in cows and buffaloes. There is no danger to humans in using milk of animals that do not have the symptoms of the disease. Animals can be cured of the disease, however, the milk of such animals may get affected due to the virus.

    The infected cattle with Lumpy Skin Disease have been noticed in a total of 280 villages of Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Akola, Dhule, Pune, Latur, Aurangabad, Beed, Satara, Buldana, Amravati, Osmanabad, Kolhapur, Sangli, Yeotmal, Parbhani, Solapur, Washim, Nashik and Jalna till Sunday.

    As per reports, lumpy skin disease is a viral disease that affects cattle. It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks. It causes fever and nodules on the skin and can lead to the death of the cattle.

    A vaccine has also been developed by the National Equine Research Center, Hisar (Haryana) in collaboration with the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar (Bareilly).

    MAHARASHTRA: As many as 42 cows and buffaloes have died due to the onslaught of the Lumpy Skin Disease in Maharashtra, the state’s animal husbandry department said on Monday.

    A total of 42 infected cattle have died due to Lumpy Skin Disease in different districts of Maharashtra including 17 in Jalgaon, 13 in Ahmednagar, 1 in Dhule, 1 in Akola, 3 in Pune, 3 in Buldhana, 3 in Amravati and 1 in Washim till Sunday, according to the department.

    The first case of Lumpy Skin Disease was reported on August 4 in Chinawal village of Raver taluka of Jalgaon district.

    The virus has been found only in cows and buffaloes. There is no danger to humans in using milk of animals that do not have the symptoms of the disease. Animals can be cured of the disease, however, the milk of such animals may get affected due to the virus.

    The infected cattle with Lumpy Skin Disease have been noticed in a total of 280 villages of Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Akola, Dhule, Pune, Latur, Aurangabad, Beed, Satara, Buldana, Amravati, Osmanabad, Kolhapur, Sangli, Yeotmal, Parbhani, Solapur, Washim, Nashik and Jalna till Sunday.

    As per reports, lumpy skin disease is a viral disease that affects cattle. It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks. It causes fever and nodules on the skin and can lead to the death of the cattle.

    A vaccine has also been developed by the National Equine Research Center, Hisar (Haryana) in collaboration with the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar (Bareilly).

  • 1,021 cattle dead, 40,222 infected as lumpy skin disease spreads in Gujarat

    By Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: Lumpy skin disease (LSD), also known as Lumpy virus, afflicting cattle has spread to 15 out of 33 districts of Gujarat and has claimed 1021 livestock in the state. According to reports, 40,222 infected cattle in 1,009 villages are under treatment.

    On Monday, Animal Husbandry Minister Raghavji Patel held a meeting with Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar. A meeting between Agriculture Minister and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will be held on Tuesday.

    Agriculture Department’s Deputy Director (Animal Husbandry) Dr HN Modh told The New Indian Express: “The virus has spread in 15 districts, including all districts of Saurashtra region, Kutch, and now Banaskantha and Patan. Checking of vehicles entering Gujarat from Rajasthan and other neighboring states have been intensified to prevent infected cattle from entering the state. People living in border villages have been asked to inform the department if they see movement of cattle across the border.”

    Till Monday afternoon, the state had lost 1,021 cattle, while 40,222 are infected and undergoing treatment in 15 districts. A total of 2,93,676 cattle have been vaccinated, he added. Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel says “LSD an infectious viral skin disease which is caused by a virus of capripox genus has spread to four out of five regions of Gujarat.”

    The disease has spread in the kutch Saurashtra zone, north Gujrat, and south Gujrat, only the central Gujrat region is unaffected till Monday. According to Government Officials, the disease which spreads through vectors like houseflies, mosquitos, ticks, etc. the viral infection leads to fever among cattle and buffaloes as well as other symptoms like excessive nasal and salivary secretion, firm and raised nodules on the skin around the head genitals, etc. The animal stops taking food and the production of milk among milch animals goes down. Pregnant cows and buffaloes often suffer miscarriage and in some cases, diseased animals die as nodules brust, and those parts can become infected by secondary infections.

    Kisan Congress has targeted the state government by questioning the government’s work regarding the Lumpy virus. Pal Ambalia, chairman of the Kisan Congress cell, alleged that the government is hiding the figures of cattle deaths. Only 4 per cent of the total number of dead cattle is shown by the government, He alleged that vaccination figures are also being concealed.

    He said that the government is taking pride in the vaccination done by private institutions. The Lumpy Virus started in the month of May and the government issued a circular regarding lumpy in June. On 21st, the Congress team made a presentation to Kutch District Development Officer (DDO). At that time, he claimed vaccination of 80 thousand cattle was done by 14 doctors. Which is not possible. However, the information department of the government has shown the figure for vaccination of more than lakh animals. Which proves that the government presents false figures. He alleged that the government wakes up only when elections are held.

    “The animal husbandry department started the facility of toll-free helpline ‘1962’ for providing immediate treatment and other information about the disease. A campaign has also been launched to raise awareness about the disease. In all, 267 animal ambulance has been deployed to the affected area, today the central government also sent a team of expert to guide” said Animal Husbandry Minister Raghavji Patel.

    AHMEDABAD: Lumpy skin disease (LSD), also known as Lumpy virus, afflicting cattle has spread to 15 out of 33 districts of Gujarat and has claimed 1021 livestock in the state. According to reports, 40,222 infected cattle in 1,009 villages are under treatment.

    On Monday, Animal Husbandry Minister Raghavji Patel held a meeting with Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar. A meeting between Agriculture Minister and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will be held on Tuesday.

    Agriculture Department’s Deputy Director (Animal Husbandry) Dr HN Modh told The New Indian Express: “The virus has spread in 15 districts, including all districts of Saurashtra region, Kutch, and now Banaskantha and Patan. Checking of vehicles entering Gujarat from Rajasthan and other neighboring states have been intensified to prevent infected cattle from entering the state. People living in border villages have been asked to inform the department if they see movement of cattle across the border.”

    Till Monday afternoon, the state had lost 1,021 cattle, while 40,222 are infected and undergoing treatment in 15 districts. A total of 2,93,676 cattle have been vaccinated, he added. Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel says “LSD an infectious viral skin disease which is caused by a virus of capripox genus has spread to four out of five regions of Gujarat.”

    The disease has spread in the kutch Saurashtra zone, north Gujrat, and south Gujrat, only the central Gujrat region is unaffected till Monday. According to Government Officials, the disease which spreads through vectors like houseflies, mosquitos, ticks, etc. the viral infection leads to fever among cattle and buffaloes as well as other symptoms like excessive nasal and salivary secretion, firm and raised nodules on the skin around the head genitals, etc. The animal stops taking food and the production of milk among milch animals goes down. Pregnant cows and buffaloes often suffer miscarriage and in some cases, diseased animals die as nodules brust, and those parts can become infected by secondary infections.

    Kisan Congress has targeted the state government by questioning the government’s work regarding the Lumpy virus. Pal Ambalia, chairman of the Kisan Congress cell, alleged that the government is hiding the figures of cattle deaths. Only 4 per cent of the total number of dead cattle is shown by the government, He alleged that vaccination figures are also being concealed.

    He said that the government is taking pride in the vaccination done by private institutions. The Lumpy Virus started in the month of May and the government issued a circular regarding lumpy in June. On 21st, the Congress team made a presentation to Kutch District Development Officer (DDO). At that time, he claimed vaccination of 80 thousand cattle was done by 14 doctors. Which is not possible. However, the information department of the government has shown the figure for vaccination of more than lakh animals. Which proves that the government presents false figures. He alleged that the government wakes up only when elections are held.

    “The animal husbandry department started the facility of toll-free helpline ‘1962’ for providing immediate treatment and other information about the disease. A campaign has also been launched to raise awareness about the disease. In all, 267 animal ambulance has been deployed to the affected area, today the central government also sent a team of expert to guide” said Animal Husbandry Minister Raghavji Patel.