Lumpy skin disease has been ravaging cattle across the country with cows from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab dying in large numbers.
The worst affected state is Rajasthan. The state is struggling to cope up with the terrible repercussions of the disease outbreak where thousands of cattle have perished in the previous few weeks, despite being one of the first states in the nation to establish a distinct ministry dedicated to the care of cows. Animal rights advocates and others connected to cow shelters claim that the disease is growing at an alarming rate, despite the Rajasthan state government’s assurances that it is making every effort to limit the outbreak.
According to information provided by the Rajasthan state Animal Husbandry Department, the epidemic of lumpy skin disease started in April and has already infected 2,31,907 cows, killing 10,882 of them. 11 districts, most of which are in western Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Jalore, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar, are the worst impacted.
In order to stop the spread of the disease, the sick animals have been kept apart from the healthy ones, according to Arvind Jaitly, Deputy Director (Disease Control) at the Animal Husbandry Department. “The lumpy disease, which is caused by a virus, was first noted in April 2022 and has since begun to spread quickly. 2,31,907 bovines have been infected, but more than 10,882 have perished, according to Jaitly, who is keeping track of the disease’s progress.
On 19 September, Rajasthan Chief Minister took note of the issue and said that the addressal of the lumpy disease is the state government’s priority however the vaccines for the same would be given by the Centre.
Maharashtra’s animal husbandry department informed has also said as many as 126 cattle have died and 25 districts were infected by the Lumpy virus in the state. The disease is rapidly spreading, it is not transmitted to human beings either from animals or through cow milk.
Along with Rajasthan, the disease outbreak has also affected Gujarat, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The lumpy disease, which causes nodes to grow on the skin of animals, is highly contagious and spreads mostly by vectors like blood-feeding insects. The nodes resemble lumps. According to the Animal Husbandry Department, the disease, which had its origins in Africa, entered India through Pakistan in April.