After affecting several states in the country the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) – a skin disorder in cattle, has reportedly entered into Telangana state where hundreds of animals have been found affected with the disease. Following the reports of outbreak of lumpy virus in the state, the Department of Animal Husbandry has been put on high alert and a probe has been initiated to identify the cases.
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral disease mostly found in bovines. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) categorizes LSD as a notified disease. It causes a temporary or permanent infertility among infected cows and bulls. It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks. It causes fever, nodules on the skin and can also lead to death, especially in animals that that have not previously been exposed to the virus.
During a survey, it is learnt that over seven thousand cases of affected animals have been identified so far from all the 33 districts in the state that also include Hyderabad district where the meat consumption is higher than any other state. Fresh report suggested that the blood samples of atleast 45 bovines in Hyderabad were found positive while the results of another 100 tests are awaited. The samples were sent to Bangalore city and other cities to carry out tests.
According to a report, a total number of 7,752 cases of lumpy virus in cattle have been identified of which 25 of them have died so far. Apart from this, nearly 5.48 Lakh bovines have been vaccinated in the state by the Department of Animal Husbandry. It was decided to carry out 20 Lakh vaccination tests in the next 20-25 days. Sensing the enormity, the cattle markets in the state were closed for a temporary period.
With the reports of lumpy virus striking the cattle in the state, panic grips Hyderabad city where the meat consumption is comparatively higher than other districts. Though the Department of Animal Husbandry is taking measures to arrest the spread of the virus, most of the citizens especially in meat loving City of Hyderabad have already said no to the nutritional bovine food such as meat, beef and even the chicken. Alert was sounded even at international level due to the spread of the lumpy virus.
It is learnt that most of the cases were found in Adilabad district. According to report, nearly 2500 cases have been in the district followed by Jogulamba Gadwal district with a number of 1502 cases and Wanaparthy were 1134 cases have been recorded,
According to a fresh report, Warangal and Khammam district in the state have joined the list of affected districts. Apart from Telangana, the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh is also taking measures to prevent the spread of Lumpy virus. It is learnt that 80 percent of the bovines were vaccinated in Andhra Pradesh as part of the measure to combat the skin disease affected cattle.
